DOUBLE HANDFUL

ANOTHER jumps season will be consigned to the memory bank after today. Punters always ask me whether I prefer the Flat or the jumps and the truth of the matter is when one season is on I miss the other.

Furthermore, I lose an equal amount at both, so there’s really not much in it either way.

Hopefully we can go out on a high today in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown, a fiendishly difficult handicap chase to see out the campaign.

They’ll be plenty of support for Grand National favourite Blaklion, who came a cropper at the first at Aintree. In that respect many will think he’s fresh for this one, but I beg to differ — and if there’s one thing I’m good at it’s begging.

The nine-year-old ran a brutal race on heavy ground at Haydock in February and has to concede weight all round again here today. It’ll take a mammoth effort for Nigel Twiston-davies’ charge to win. Houblon Des Obeaux and Missed Approach would both prefer soft conditions, but let’s not feel sorry for them — it’s been soft for most of the season. Rock The Kasbah finished a credible sixth in this 12 months ago, and he’s another who has a preference for more testing conditions. Plus he carries an extra 7lb this year, which ain’t going to help. Most of the horses today will be past their season peak and if they’re not then they really should be — what’s the point of being at your best on the last day of term? I prefer to plump for a lightly raced horse who goes on better ground, which points me firmly in the direction of Nicky Henderson’s

BARON. SUGAR

The champion trainer-elect has raced his eight-year-old just three times this season.

The son of Presenting was easily beaten by Missed Approach at Cheltenham last month but the soft going didn’t do him any favours and he’s 8lb better off than his rival here.

I’m hopeful of a good run at a big price.