The National Hunt season draws to a conclusion on Saturday as Sandown plays host to the Jump Finale with seven exciting races to look forward to. Our expert editor has previewed each contest this weekend and had their say on who is likely to come out on top. Check out their thoughts below, along with a new customer sign-up offer at bet365, where you can grab £50 In Free Bets when you sign-up and bet £10.
Whizz Kid – 13:50 (bet365 Novices’ Championship Final Handicap Hurdle, 1m 7f 216y)
Sandown’s opening contest this weekend can go the way of WHIZZ KID who was far from disgraced when finishing fourth in this company at Aintree’s Grand National meeting earlier this month. Contesting a handicap for the first time, Whizz Kid lined up that day off a mark of 125 and despite putting in a far from fluent round of jumping, the six-year-old was beaten just under three lengths after relinquishing the lead in the closing stages.
That was just his fourth start over hurdles since joining Dr Richard Newland, and whilst he will have to brush up his jumping technique to play a key role in the finish on Saturday, the six-year-old is evidently held in high regard by connections after previously lining up in the Grade 1 Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle on his opening start on British soil earlier this year over course and distance.
Wide-margin victories in maiden and novice company back in March are still very much fresh in the mind and after being raised just 1lb for his latest run at Aintree, Whizz Kid still appears to be ahead of his current mark and the six-year-old is likely to pick up plenty more races as he gains experience over timber.
BACK WHIZZ KID And Get £50 In Free Bets
Saint Calvados – 2:25 (bet365 Oaksey Chase, 2m 6f 164y)
Paul Nicholls will be aiming to finish the year with a flourish as he closes in on a thirteenth trainer’s championship. SAINT CALVADOS hasn’t been with the Ditcheat handler for long but there is every reason to think he can finally return to winning ways this weekend.
Formerly with Harry Whittington, the nine-year-old made an encouraging debut for new connections when finishing third in the King George Vi Chase on Boxing Day. Settled towards the rear of the field, Saint Calvados made significant headway to lead four from home but ultimately emptied quickly on just his third career attempt at the three-mile trip.
Given a short break after those festive exertions, Paul Nicholls’ charge returned in the Ascot Chase over 2m5f but was forced to pull up under Harry Cobden after bursting a blood vessel. Racing freely, Saint Calvados faired significantly better in the Marsh Chase earlier this month at Aintree’s Grand National meeting, finishing fifth behind the impressive Fakir D’oudairies.
The nine-year-old is expected to take a step forward after that promising return to form at Aintree last time out, and in receipt of 6lb from market rival Mister Fisher on Saturday afternoon, Paul Nicholls’ runner is expected make the most of a slight drop in grade and can pick up his first win since October 2019.
BACK SAINT CALVADOS And Get £50 In Free Bets
Nube Negra – 3:00 (bet365 Celebration Chase, 1m 7f 119y)
Greaneteen will look to follow up on last year’s triumph where the eight-year-old defeated the mighty Altior by just under four lengths. The eight-year-old has a formidable record over fences at the Esher track (2-1-1) but certainly has questions to answer after a poor display in the Dublin Chase at Leopardstown back in February.
Although no match for Greaneteen in the Tingle Creek back in December, the vote goes to NUBE NEGRA as Dan Skelton’s talented two-miler returns to the track. It’s safe to say that the eight-year-old was far below his best when trailing home in fourth behind Paul Nicholls’ eventual winner, however, Nube Negra was having a quick turnaround after previously landing the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham and the eight-year-old can perhaps be forgiven for his subsequent Sandown effort just 20 days later.
Nube Negra has previously missed engagements at the Cheltenham Festival and Aintree and with his best performances coming when fresh, Dan Skelton’s charge is expected to come out on top and turn the tables on Sandown specialist Greaneteen.
BACK NUBE NEGRA And Get £50 In Free Bets
Fidux – 3:32 (bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase, 3m 4f 166y)
Last year’s contest certainly provided plenty of controversy as Enrilo, Kitty’s Light and Potterman were all involved in a lengthy stewards enquiry. The trio all have claims this time around as does Scottish Grand National winner Win My Wings. Christian Williams’ mare has gone from strength to strength this year and a fourth successive victory could be very much on the cards despite being a hit with a 14lb hike in the weights.
However, it might be worth supporting one at a much bigger price this weekend and with that being said, FIDUX gets the nod on just his second start over a marathon trip. Returning from a 112-day break, Alan King’s charge was sent off 66/1 on just his second start beyond three miles in the Scottish Grand National earlier this month. Settled in midfield throughout, the nine-year-old kept on noticeably well on his first crack over the marathon trip and certainly outrun market expectations under jockey Daryl Jacob to finish fourth.
Although he was no match for Christian Williams’ empathic winner, it was certainly an impressive display from Fidux considering his lack of race fitness and question marks surrounding his stamina. A 2lb drop in the weights sees Alan King’s charge back down to his last winning mark this weekend and after his encouraging return to action at Ayr, Fidux might be capable of going close and could cause an upset at generous odds.
BACK FIDUX And Get £50 In Free Bets
Mcfabulous – 4:07 (bet365 Select Hurdle, 2m 5f 110y)
Hard to rule out any of the quartet but perhaps it’s worth concentrating on Paul Nicholls’ duo. Scaramanga certainly has obvious claims after performing well in handicaps when last seen over timber, including when landing a contest by half a length at this corresponding meeting.
The seven-year-old will likely prove popular on his return given his solid record when fresh, however, he put in two below-par efforts on the flat when last seen including in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket, and is far from a rock-solid proposition.
MCFABULOUS showed clear signs of improvement last time out at Aintree when contesting the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle and although ultimately no match for stablemate Monmiral or Epatante, the eight-year-old still ran with credit to finish third after being given an unconventional ride towards the front end of proceedings.
Disappointing on his penultimate start when shaping like a non-stayer in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham, Paul Nicholls’ charge had previously returned this campaign with a solid performance when chasing home Stormy Ireland in the Relkeel Hurdle on New Year’s Day.
The dual Grade 2 winner should enjoy the return to this sort of company on Saturday afternoon and after showing signs of a revival in first-time cheekpieces on Merseyside last time out, Mcfabulous can return to winning ways despite conceding weight all round.
BACK MCFABULOUS And Get £50 In Free Bets
Brief Ambition – 4:40 (bet365 Josh Gifford Novices’ Handicap Chase, 2m 4f 10y)
This is likely going to concern Beakstown and BRIEF AMBITION, with Fergal O’Brien’s improving charge taken to record a fourth straight victory over the larger obstacles and maintain his unbeaten chasing record.
The eight-year-old recorded two victories over hurdles but has seemingly thrived since being sent over fences this term, comfortably opening his account up at Kempton after jumping soundly back in November, before going on to justify prohibitive odds at Ludlow later that month in front of subsequent dual chase winner Ballinsker.
Returning to the Shropshire venue last month, Fergal O’Brien’s progressive chaser was far too good for his two rivals, staying on well after the final fence to run out an impressive winner ahead of Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Muckamore, who has since franked the form just last week.
It’s unlikely that a mark of 134 is the ceiling of this eight-year-olds ability and with the prospect of more to come on just his fourth start over the larger obstacles, Brief Ambition is difficult to oppose and certainly has far fewer questions to answer than his six rivals this weekend.
BACK BRIEF AMBITION And Get £50 In Free Bets
Glynn – 5:15 (bet365 Handicap Hurdle, 2m 3f 173y)
The one who appeals most in the concluding handicap hurdle is Nicky Henderson’s GLYNN, who ran a gallant race in defeat when last seen at Hexham in June last year. The former winning point-to-pointer has been an infrequent visitor to the track in recent seasons but connections will be hoping their patience pays off on Saturday afternoon.
After being transferred from Stuart Crawford’s Northern Irish yard back in 2019, Glynn made a bright start to life on British soil at Doncaster, impressively landing a maiden hurdle by eleven lengths. However, despite that promising stable debut victory, Nicky Henderson’s charge missed the majority of the season through injury and didn’t appear until December the following season, returning to Town Moor to finish second off a mark of 134.
Failing to complete at Kempton and Newbury on his next couple of outings, Glynn underwent wind surgery for the second time and put in a much-improved performance when sent up to Hexham from a 1lb lower mark, finishing strongly in the closing stages to go down by half a length over the 2m4f trip.
Although the eight-year-old still does have some questions to answer, Glynn could still be well treated off a mark of 133 and with fitness unlikely to be an issue given how he often performs best when fresh, Nicky Henderson’s charge is worth a second look and a big run on his belated return would come as no surprise.
BACK GLYNN And Get £50 In Free Bets
Sign Up To Bet365 And Get £50 In Free Bets when you Bet £10
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.