TALKISCHEAP

Odds correct at time of printing Five things you didn’t know about Sandown’s bet365 Gold Cup

1

Only four horses have won the race twice, Larbawn, Diamond Edge, Topsham Bay and Ad Hoc

2

The race was first sponsored by Whitbread after chairman Colonel Bill Whitbread rode in the Grand National

3

The deal with Whitbread lasted from 1957 until 2001 and was the longestrunning commercial sponsorship in sport

4

Fulke Walwyn is the leading trainer in the race, winning on seven occasions

5

Ron Barry is the leading jockey with three wins — Titus Oates (1971), Charlie Potheen (1973), The Dikler (1974) THE jumps season seems to have been winding down for the last few weeks, so it’s a shame it won’t end with a contest racing fans really wanted to witness.

The all-conquering Altior won’t be taking on Britain’s highest-rated jumper in the Celebration Chase at Sandown after Paul Nicholls announced Cyrname as a non-runner earlier in the week.

The duo were scheduled to collide in the two-mile Grade 1 finale but Nicholls felt the ground would be too quick for his rising star.

I’ve no idea why Nicholls withdrew Cyrname so early in the week with rain forecast.

I’ve no idea either how Cyrname is rated higher than Altior despite that phenomenal performance in in the Grade 1 Ascot Chase over two miles and five furlongs in February.

What more could the mighty Altior have done this season — or in his career not to be the No.1?Over two miles I feel Altior would be too strong for Cyrname.

Over two and a half? I’m not so sure. But I can’t wait to find out — hopefully at Kempton in December.