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Gold Cup Chase
8 May 2013: Rites of Passage Early Ascot Gold Cup Favourite
24 Jul 2012: Starspangledbanner’s return to racing delayed
23 Apr 2010: Bet365 Gold Cup – Showdown At Sandown
The Gold Cup Chase, also known as the Bet365 Gold Cup, is a Grade 3 National Hunt Chase held annually in late April at Sandown Park Racecourse. The race is held over a distance of 3 miles and 5 ½ furlongs, featuring 24 fences throughout the course. The Bet365 Gold Cup is a handicap race and is open to horses aged five years and over.
The Chase was introduced to the UK National Hunt calendar in 1957, originally under the name 'Whitbread Gold Cup', after the then-sponsor of the race: Whitbread Brewers. Interestingly this sponsorship would turn out to be the longest continuous program of corporate support for a British sporting event in history (note: for any sport, not just in horse racing). Whitbread sponsored the Gold Cup Chase until 2001. After Whitbread dumped the Gold Cup Chase, brief sponsorships by At The Races and Betfred followed, until Bet365 took over in 2008. Thanks to their new sponsors, the Bet365 Gold Cup currently offers a purse of £160,000.
The leading contenders to run at the Gold Cup Chase include Larbawn, Diamond Edge, Topsham Bay and Ad Hoc, all of whom managed to record two wins at the event. Human legends feature jockey Ron Barry, who rode three winners at the Bet 365 Gold Cup between 1971 and 1974.
Recent Winners of the Gold Cup Chase:
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer |
2010 |
Church Island |
11 |
Adrian Heskin |
Michael Hourigan |
2009 |
Hennessy |
8 |
Tony McCoy |
Carl Llewellyn |
2008 |
Monkerhostin |
11 |
Richard Johnson |
Philip Hobbs |
2007 |
Hot Weld |
8 |
Graham Lee |
Ferdy Murphy |
2006 |
Lacdoual |
7 |
Richard Johnson |
Phillip Hobbs |
2005 |
Jack High |
10 |
Garrett Cotter |
Ted Walsh |
2004 |
Puntal |
8 |
Danny Howard |
Martin Pipe |
2003 |
Ad Hoc |
9 |
Ruby Walsh |
Paul Nicholls |
2002 |
Bounce Back |
6 |
Tony MacCoy |
Martin Pipe |
2001 |
Ad Hoc |
7 |
Ruby Walsh |
Paul Nicholls |
2000 |
Beau |
7 |
Carl Lllewellyn |
Nigel Twiston-Davies |
Gold Cup Chase Odds and News
20 Apr 2011: Bet365 Sandown Gold Cup Preview
Saturday will see the running of the 
Bet365 Sandown Gold Cup Chase, with a field of 25 fighting it out over the 3 miles and 5 furlongs.
And it is the Nigel Twiston Davies trained Baby Run that has been declared favourite in early markets.
Baby Run was an impressive winner of the Fox Hunt Chase at Aintree during the carnival and 11 year old gelding has been posted at odds of 11/2 for the Sandown classic.
Sam Twiston Davies will resume riding duties on Baby Run, after younger brother Willie took charge of the horse this campaign after Sam turned professional.
“I can’t wait to ride him. I think he’s a brilliant chance at the weights and his form is very consistent. He tries very hard and hopefully he can do the business,” said jockey Sam Twiston Davies.
The Philip Hobbs trained Balthazar King is next in betting at 6/1.
The 7 year old gelding has won impressively at Hereford and Cheltenham this campaign and comes into the race in top form.
Philip Hobbs will also line up the highly fancied Triggerman, who is currently rated a 10-1 chance.
The 9 year old gelding won at Cheltenham on the 14th of April and will come into this race with a fitness edge over some of his rivals.
“The race last week was the only one he could run in without getting a penalty for the Bet365 Gold Cup. He’s pretty tough and he’s come up well enough to start in the Gold Cup,” said Hobbs.
West End Rocker will also be a starter, despite falling in the recent Grand National at Aintree.
Trainer Alan King confirmed that West End Rocker, who is quoted at 14/1, will run at Sandown despite his recent fall.
“He didn’t get very far in the National at Aintree but he took to it like a duck to water up to that point. It was just unfortunate there were horses in the way when he landed at Becher’s. He had a couple of scratches but he’s fine,” said King.
Last year’s winner Church Island is attempting to become the first back to back winner of the Bet365 Gold Cup since Topsham Bay achieved the feat back in 1993.
Church Island, who is quoted at 16/1 has been beaten by 37 and 60 lengths at his two starts since last year’s race, however it is interesting to note he was in similar form last year when he won the race by six lengths.
Exmoor Ranger is a winner over the hurdles at Sandown and comes into this race rated a 25/1 chance.
The Denis O’Regan trained 9 year old has raced at Sandown twice for a win in a novice hurdle and a very close second behind 2008 Bet365 Gold Cup winner Monkerhostin.
“He’s got a competitive weight and it’s probably not the most top-class hurdle you will see,” said O’Regan.
“I’ve been saying all year he wants Sandown on good ground. He loves the place and he’ll love the ground,” continued O’Regan.
Others in the market include Aimigayle (10/1), Poker De Sivola (14/1) and Iconclast (14/1)
For the full market visit Bet365, where new members can receive a £ 200 bet.
27 Apr 2010: Sandown’s Surprise – Church Island Triumphs In Gold Cup
23 Apr 2010: Bet365 Gold Cup – Showdown At Sandown
22 Apr 2010: Bet365 Gold Cup Chase Odds – Updated Rates On Your Sandown Favourites
