Straight From The Horse’s Mouth: The bet365 Gold Cup

How much do the connections of your bet365 Gold Cup fancy rate their mount? In our feature ‘Straight From The Horse’s Mouth’ we aim to collate, in one article, the best of the quotes concerning a selection of entrants ahead of Saturday’s Sandown feature race.

Le Reve

Trainer Lucy Wadham:  ‘He’s in great form and I’m very happy with him.

‘We’re just keeping an eye on the weather, I wouldn’t want it to get too quick. Good ground would be fine for him but if it starts getting towards good to firm that might not be ideal.’ [Sporting Life, 22nd April]

Paint The Clouds

Trainer Warren Greatrex: ‘He’s got in off a nice weight, 10st, and Sam Waley-Cohen claims another 3lbs off that. He’ll think he’s loose.

‘He’s in great nick and is as good as I’ve ever had him. He thrives when the weather gets warmer and last week he’s come on great.

‘He wouldn’t be fazed by it at all. He travels very well, he jumps well, he stays well and ticks all the right boxes.’ [Sky Sports, 24th April]

Bobs Worth

Trainer Nicky Henderson: ‘Bobs Worth [is] to be at Sandown. I am very happy, the ground will suit and I think we have to run.’ [Racing Post, 21st April]

‘I haven’t seen him look better for a long time. He’ll like the ground.

‘He’s in good shape. It’s a big ask but we’ve got to keep him going.’ [Sky Sports, 24th April]

The Package

Trainer David Pipe: ‘It was a shame that he narrowly missed the cut for the [Aintree] Grand National, although it does mean that he goes to Sandown a relatively fresh horse and he will appreciate the sound surface.’ [Racing Post, 20th April]

The Nicholls Fleet [Just A Par, Unioniste, Rocky Creek and Wonderful Charm]  

Trainer Paul Nicholls: ‘I plan to leave four in the bet365 Gold Cup at the latest declaration stage tomorrow… Rocky Creek, Unioniste, Just A Par and Wonderful Charm.

‘Unioniste could run well if they keep watering and the ground is good or easier, Rocky Creek is 50/50 at this stage, Just A Par could run well and Wonderful Charm is another possible after his fine effort the other day at Aintree. [3rd, Listed Handicap Chase, 11th April]’ [Paulnichollsracing.com, 19th April]

Bally Legend

Trainer Caroline Keevil: ‘He’s in sparkling form and since his wind op, he’s improved this season. He had a good run at the Cheltenham Festival [6th, Byrne Group Plate, 12th March] and we’re hoping the better ground will help him stay the distance.

‘He was unfortunate in this race last year. He lost a shoe and twisted another one and the ground was softer that day too.’ [Sky Sports, 24th April]

Ely Brown

Trainer Charlie Longsdon [Speaking after first fence fall in Aintree’s Grand National]: ‘He jumped the fence great, but with the extra speed that they all go on the run up combining with the bigger fence, he couldn’t get his landing gear out – it was a typical first fence fall in the National.

‘We live to fight another day and Ely will probably be aimed at the bet365 now in a couple of weeks.’ [Witney Gazette, 15th April]

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