Confirmations were made for Sandown‘s jumps finale, but field sizes are expected to be significantly smaller this season. Only seven runners remain in the Grade 1 Celebration Chase, while 14 have been put forward for the bet365 Gold Cup.
Here is today’s racing news round-up for Tuesday.
Sandown Jumps Finale: Jonbon entered, but only 14 go for Gold
The Grade 1 Celebration Chase has been a happy hunting ground for Jonbon. The ten-year-old once again drops in trip for a race he won in 2023 and 2024. However, he did meet with defeat last season when beaten by this year’s Champion Chaser Il Etait Temps. Six rivals could face him, including Clarence House Chase runner-up Thistle Ask, beaten by Jonbon that day at Ascot, and Melling Chase second Solness, a Grade 1 winner over 2m. (Racing Post)
There was more disappointment for Sandown in the confirmations for the bet365 Gold Cup. Only 14 of the 42 entries were put forward for the race on Monday. The 3m5f handicap brough a dramatic conclusion to the trainers’ championship in 2025. However, with Dan Skelton having wrapped that up long ago, this year’s race has proved far less popular. Among the 14 runners is the in-form Havaila, as well as Montregard, who missed last week’s Scottish Grand National. (Sporting Life)
Flat season news: French raider aimed at Guineas as Ghostwriter set to re-emerge
Francis-Henri Graffard is set to saddle a runner in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. His colt Samangan is an intended runners in the opening Classic on the Rowley Mile. Samangan has won three of his five career starts, including at Group 3 and Group 2 level as a juvenile. He was recently beaten on his return at Deauville. However, Graffard believes “he’s much better now as the Group 1 target nears. (Sporting Life)
Meanwhile, Ghostwriter, absent since finishing third in the Hardwicke Stakes last June, is on course for a return. He was one of Amo Racing’s more startling purchases, fetching £2,000,000 last summer. He was already midway through his four-year-old season and has not yet made a breakthrough at Group 1 level. In the meantime, he has been switched from Clive Cox’s yard to Kevin Phillipart De Foy’s. His new trainer says they “are working back from Royal Ascot” with the son of Invincible Spirit. (Racing TV)
Tributes paid to Ian Balding on Monday
A memorial to the great Ian Balding took place in Kingsclere yesterday. The service paid tribute to the 87-year-old who died in January. Children Andrew and Clare Balding both gave speeches as the colours of Badling’s most famous horse, Mill Reef, were carried throughout an afternoon in splendid sunshine. Among those present were both Oisin Murphy and Frankie Dettori, the latter of whom rode Group 1 winner Lochsong for Balding. (Racing Post)