The final day of the jumps season arrives at Sandown on Saturday. The competitive card boasts Grade 1 action as well as the historic bet365 Gold Cup.
GG tipster Joe Napier picks out our Lucky 15 best bets for Saturday. Three run at Sandown, with one at Leicester.
Sandown Racing Tips (Saturday 25 April)
Sandown’s jumps finale is the last National Hunt fixture of the season. Across a superb card, we have three lucky 15 tips at the track.
1.45 Sandown – Minella Yoga (1pt win – 6/1)
Four-year-olds have a good recent record in this race, winning three of the last five renewals. That suggests the age group are maturing quicker than the allowance given to them at this point in the season. As such, Minella Yoga is preferred. He has looked an above average juvenile this term, beating the subsequent Turners runner-up on debut for Paul Nicholls. It was slightly disappointing he could finish only third at Cheltenham in the Triumph Hurdle Trial in January. That race has worked out well though and the selection followed that up with a ten-length win at Taunton. His wins have come on good ground, which bodes well for this weekend. He still gets an 8lb weight-for-age allowance, which is generous, and he can beat his elders.
2.20 Sandown – Blow Your Wad (1pt win – 15/8)
This is a woeful renewal of the Grade 2 Oaksey Chase. It was won by Gaelic Warrior 12 months ago, so the fact Blow Your Wad is a clear favourite this term is a shame. Nevertheless, the Moores’ charge is rightfully atop the betting. While far from a Grade 1 performer, he is the closest to that in this field on recent evidence. His fast-finishing fourth in the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham was a grand effort. The form of that race is excellent and Blow Your Wad followed up at Chepstow over 2m3½f. That trip would have been the minimum ideal for him. Now the highest-rated in this line-up, the 2m6f should prove much more suitable. With a lack of classy alternatives, he can make a successful step up in grade.
5.15 Sandown – Favour And Fortune (1pt win – 6/1)
Top-weight Favour And Fortune has to concede 5lb and more all-round here. This final race of the jumps season looks far easier than the contest he ran in at Aintree last time out though. He was third in that Liverpool race for the second year in a row. A 3lb hit from the handicapper is unkind, but he was only beaten a length-and-a-quarter. A mark of 143 is a career-high, but he can make light of it with few of his rivals convincing on recent form. 2m4f on a sound surface is perfect for him too.
Leicester Racing Tips (Saturday 25 April)
The King Richard III Handicap is the big race at Leicester on Saturday. Our lucky 15 tip at the track runs in the feature.
2.05 Leicester – Berkshire Whisper (1pt win – 7/1)
Andrew Balding has started this flat season well and can strike in Leicester’s feature with Berkshire Whisper. The four-year-old’s only successes have come on the all-weather so far. However, he has only raced twice on turf, both times in heady company. He was a very respectable fourth at Listed level on his turf debut, then finished 14th in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. He has since run well again back on artificial surfaces. A neck second off this mark at Southwell last term was promising and he was an eyecatcher on reappearance at Newcastle. With that run having likely helped with his fitness, he can strike for the first time on grass.
GG Lucky 15 Tips – Saturday 25 April
1.45 Sandown – Minella Yoga (1pt win – 6/1)
2.05 Leicester – Berkshire Whisper (1pt win – 7/1)
2.20 Sandown – Blow Your Wad (1pt win – 15/8)
5.15 Sandown – Favour And Fortune (1pt win – 6/1)
Blow Your WadGG Lucky 15 Tips – Saturday 25 April
Today’s Meetings & Start Times
- Sandown – first race 13:13
- Leicester – first race 13:30
FAQs: Today’s Racing Tips
What are today’s GG Lucky 15 tips?
Joe Napier provides the GG Lucky 15 tips on Saturday 25 April, which include selections at Sandown & Leicester.
When were Saturday’s Lucky 15 tips for Sandown & Leicester published?
GG’s Lucky 15 tips for Saturday 25 April were published at 2.30pm on Friday 24 April.
Who is Joe Napier?
Joe Napier is the deputy editor of GG who gives tips and opinion throughout the week. He has been writing for GG for over four years and is hugely passionate about racing.
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