Sandown Finale Betting Tips: Key Runners, Championship Races and Best Bets
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In this 1xBet Ireland review, we take a look at the jumps season finale at Sandown and assess competitive betting angles across a high-quality card.
The jumps season draws to a close with the traditional, ultra-competitive finale at Sandown, where the season’s champions will be crowned.
Dan Skelton is set to land a long-overdue British trainers’ title and begins the ITV coverage with a strong chance in Kadastral.
The Goffs Hundred Grand Bumper winner has managed only one victory over hurdles this season, but his form reads better than that suggests. Two runner-up efforts behind Sober Glory saw him pull 14 lengths and 24 lengths clear of the third on each occasion.
He will need to bounce back from a disappointing fourth at Uttoxeter when sent off odds-on last time, but a return to less testing ground is expected to suit.
Paul Nicholls, fourteen-time champion trainer, will be keen to spoil the celebrations and relies on the improving Minella Yoga.
He made an immediate impact on his British debut when beating the subsequent Turners runner-up Act Of Innocence at Newbury. He then ran a solid race when third, beaten 3 lengths, to subsequent Triumph Hurdle second Maestro Conti in a Grade Two at Cheltenham, with the Triumph fourth and Adonis Hurdle winner behind him.
Last time out, he was sent off odds-on at Taunton and won with enough in hand to post an RPR of 125, higher than Kadastral’s best.
If there is an outsider to trouble the pair, it could be Koktail Bleu for Chris Gordon, who is enjoying his best season to date with 44 winners.
He has finished in the first two in five of his six starts this season, with his only defeat coming when stepped up to 2m4f. His debut win at Fontwell has worked out exceptionally well, with multiple horses from that race going on to win, including the second, third and fourth next time out.
His second to Baron Noir has also been boosted, with that rival finishing fourth in the Supreme and third in the Aintree equivalent. He posted an RPR of 128 when second in the Dovecote and followed that with an easy front-running success last time.
Celebration Chase
The Celebration Chase should see JP McManus crowned champion owner for the sixteenth time.
He is represented by Jonbon, who is aiming to win this race for a third time, having been beaten last year by subsequent Champion Chase winner Il Etait Temps.
His defeat in the Ryanair at Cheltenham is not a major concern. Festival reverses have been a recurring theme for him and he won this race after being beaten in the Arkle. He also ran well in this contest last year following a heavy defeat in the Champion Chase.
His two Ascot wins earlier in the season remain the strongest form on offer, including a 3-length victory over Thistle Ask in the Clarence House. It is difficult to see that form being reversed.
Handicap Chase
The Handicap Chase is always one of the most competitive races on the card and presents a unique test. Marathon trips are rarely run on ground this quick, which often brings the same types of horses to the fore each year.
Sean Bowen, who will be crowned champion jockey for the second time, rides last year’s winner Resplendent Grey.
He is now 10lb higher but his win last year reads well, having beaten a future Grand National fifth, a Kerry National winner and a Bobbyjo Chase winner.
His form this season has been mixed, with a win in the Colin Parker Memorial and a second in the Fleur De Lys Chase offset by below-par efforts in the Hennessy and the Ultima. However, a return to Sandown could spark a revival.
Havaila is an improving seven-year-old who could pose a serious threat.
He arrives off the back of a comfortable Sussex National win at Plumpton, a performance that represented a significant step forward. He improved his previous best RPR by 15lb and earned a 10lb rise.
He has finished in the first three in ten of his twelve chase starts, so the improvement was no fluke. The only concern is the track, as he has been campaigned almost exclusively over fences for Gary and Josh Moore, aside from a heavy defeat at Exeter last season.
However, he did finish second on debut for the yard at Goodwood and won a handicap hurdle at Sandown in 2024, so there is some encouragement on that front.
JP McManus may again have a major say with Montregard, trained by Tom Lacey.
He has three wins and a second from his last five chase starts. His second at Ascot behind subsequent Reynoldstown winner The Jukebox Kid was particularly eyecatching, with Scottish National winner Kap Vert back in fourth.
His victory in the Swinley Chase last time took his form to a new level. He improved his best RPR by 8lb and beat Your Darling by 5¼ lengths, a horse who went on to win by 14 lengths next time.
Connections had him entered in the Scottish National, suggesting they believe he will stay this trip. If he improves again, he will be difficult to beat.
Select Hurdle
The Select Hurdle looks an ideal opportunity for Dan Skelton to end the season on a high, with Kabral Du Mathan returning to an intermediate trip.
He travelled strongly in the Stayers’ Hurdle before his stamina gave out late on. Prior to that, he had been very impressive.
He beat subsequent winner Andashan by 12 lengths at Haydock over 2m on his seasonal debut, before stepping up in trip to win the Relkeel in decisive fashion, beating Jingko Blue, who went on to win the BetMGM Cup by 6 lengths.
He did not get the chance to show his true ability at Cheltenham, but this Grade Two presents an excellent opportunity.
Verdict and Betting Angles
This Sandown card may lack the strength and depth that will be on show at next weeks Punchestown Festival, but there are some solid betting opportunities.
Minella Yoga brings the strongest recent form against Kadastral.
Jonbon sets the standard in the Celebration Chase.
Montregard looks the most progressive option in the Handicap Chase.
Kabral Du Mathan is the standout in the Select Hurdle.
Best Bets
Kabral Du Mathan.
Montregard.
Listen to the Weekend Betting Guide on the Final Furlong Podcast and get the latest Sandown odds and market moves with 1xBet before placing your bets. End-of-season racing often produces late shifts in the market and value can emerge close to the off.
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The analytical piece was prepared by Emmet Kennedy — Presenter, Producer, and Owner of The Final Furlong Podcast, Broadcaster with TalkSPORT, and Broadcast Consultant — with the support of 1xBet Ireland.
1XBET AND TERMINUS PLATFORM IRELAND LIMITED DO NOT SPONSOR ANY OF THE EVENTS ABOVE AND HAVE NO PARTNERSHIP WITH ASSOCIATED SPORTS LEAGUES AND/OR ASSOCIATIONS.
