LAST year’s winner Monkerhostin bids for a repeat in Saturday’s bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.
The veteran is one of five possibles from the Philip Hobbs stable among the 38 entries for the final big race of the National Hunt season. Monkerhostin, now 13 will carry top weight of 11st12lb and is currently a best-priced 25-1 chance to win again.
Hobbs other entries include 2006 winner Lacdoudal, who was also third last year, Fairoak Lad, Templer and Boychuk.
Paul Nicholls’ Just Amazing is a best-priced 9-1 favourite with the sponsors and Victor Chandler. The champion trainer has a typically strong team which includes The Tother One, My Will, Nozic, Massasoit, Just Amazing and Hoo La Baloo – third in 2008.
Vying for favouritism is David Pipe’s The Package. The seven-year-old was fancied for the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree, but unseated Graham Lee. He is 12-1 chance with William Hill, bet365, Victor Chandler, Stan James and Boylesports.
Pipe also has Piraya, who was 13th behind Don’t Push It at Aintree, and Tamarinbleu entered.
Several of those entered also ran at Aintree including Sandown specialist Eric’s Charm (Fell at first Aintree) Can’t Buy Time (unseated eighth), Hello Bud (fifth), Cerium (11th), Nozic (unseated 20th), My Will (fell fourth), Palypso De Creek (fell 27th) and Irish Raptor (fell 14th).
TODAY’S NAP: Peter Island (6.10pm Brighton).
