The long-standing National Hunt showdown handicap is the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown. It is the last of the lucrative prizes on offer at the jumps season and is a staying chase showpiece to savour.

With 14 runners declared for this season’s renewal, Joe Napier previews the race. He sides with a Scottish Grand National non-runner, who can remain primed for this.

2026 bet365 Gold Cup Runners 

Last year’s winner Resplendent Grey returns 10lb higher in the handicap. He is comfortably the class horse in the race this time around though. He concedes 8lb and more all-round and disappointed at Cheltenham, but he has shown good form twice this season and evidently likes it here.

The fourth from the Kim Muir Chase at Cheltenham ran well in the Scottish Grand National. That was a form boost for both Ask Brewster and Road To Home. They are both a fair bit higher in the handicap now though, though the latter is Willie Mullins only runner on the card. That could be a pointer on its own.

The in-form runner is Havaila, who is seeking a hat-trick. His win at Plumpton last time came under these exact conditions and he looks to be relishing stamina tests. This is notably harder than what he has faced of late, but he must be respected nonetheless.

Montregard is another arriving in fine fettle. He stayed all the way to the line to win over 3m at Ascot most recently. A progressive and unexposed seven-year-old, he is only up 4lb in the handicap for that victory.

The consistent In d’Or should go well again for Fergal O’Brien, though the handicapper probably has him well-measured. Meanwhile, 12-year-old veteran and Sandown specialist Certainly Red returned after a long time off to run really well here in March. He is an interesting outsider, as is Rock My Way. Joe Tizzard’s charge easily won a similar race in the Berkshire National at Ascot earlier this campaign.

2026 bet365 Gold Cup Racecard

2026 bet365 Gold Cup Trends 

• Seven of the last ten winners have carried less than 11st
• Nine of the last ten winners have been aged 7 or 8
• Sean Bowen has ridden three of the last ten winners
• Only one of the last ten favourites has been successful

2026 bet365 Gold Cup Tips 

This race looks a lot easier than it did 12 months ago so Resplendent Grey should mount a sturdy defence. The top-weight is up 10lb from last year though and there are plausible alternatives even in this line-up. The progressive Havaila is one, but Montregard was fancied for the Scottish Grand National before missing out on account of the ground. There should be no worries with the going on Saturday and he looks a lively type for this. Up just 4lb for his latest victory, and promising to stay the 3m4f trip, the seven-year-old can deliver.

FAQs

When and where is the bet365 Gold Cup run?

The bet365 Gold Cup will take place at Sandown racecourse on Saturday 25 April, 2026 at 3.30pm.

How can I watch the bet365 Gold Cup on Saturday?

The bet365 Gold Cup is live on ITV at 3.30pm on Saturday.

When were the bet365 Gold Cup tips published?

The tips for the bet365 Gold Cup were published at 1.55pm on Thursday 23 April.

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