With plenty of rain forecast at Sandown Park, the feature betting event, the Gold Cup Handicap Chase at 3.50, looks as though it will turn into a war of attrition and that should suit Pounagh down to the ground.

The Paul Nicholls’ runner has not had a hard season with only four runs under his belt and showed behind a progressive performer at Taunton last time out that this kind of test on this stiffer track would suit him perfectly.

Rated much higher over hurdles, the now eight-year-old looks as though he has been campaigned with this race in mind all season and off a mark of just 138 and granted a clear round of jumping, I fancy that he will prove too strong in this competitive but hardly vintage renewal for the likes of Restless Harry, Ardkilly Witness and Same Difference.

The last named finished a cracking second in this race last year and is a full 7lbs lower in the weights due to some indifferent performances. However, the main problem with the Twiston-Davies charge could well be the rain as his best form has come on a sound surface.

Ardkilly Witness remains unexposed over the larger obstacles although he wasn’t entirely convincing at Market Rasen last time out, while Restless Harry is brilliant on his day as he showed at Newbury two outings back, but he can throw in the odd stinker as well.

Of the outsiders, top weight Houblon Des Obeaux could outrun his price of around 20/1 now that he gets to go right-handed again.

Earlier on, as long as a tough campaign hasn’t taken its toll on him, Sire de Grugy should land the Celebration Chase at 3.15 as he has so much in hand at the weights. However, at 2/5 he is not a betting proposition in my book and I would rather grab some of the place odds on Kauto Stone who has the beating of the other rivals as long as Sam Twiston-Davies doesn’t ride him too gung-ho down the back straight and saves a bit for the final climb home.

With plenty of rain around the country the best plays at Ripon could come on Doc Hay (2.50) and Moidore (3.30), both at each way prices. The last named has to put a disappointing run at Musselburgh behind him but the better ground will help and he has every chance off this mark in what looks a fair renewal of this two mile handicap.

Doc Hay looked badly in need of the run last time out at Nottingham but with that sharpener under his belt, the massive seven-year-old may step up here over a course and distance that serves him well. 

Over at Leicester, Gravitational appeals in the 5.20, while the give in the ground looks sure to suit Baraweez in the amateur rider’s event at 4.55.