Fine and dandy for punters at Sandown

Mulholland is in line for consecutive victories in bet365 Gold Cup

DOING FINE has what it takes to provide Neil Mulholland with consecutive victories in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.

The nine-year-old only joined the Mulholland team in the autumn, having previously been with Rebecca Curtis, and came good on his fourth start for the Wiltshire handler when winning in good style at Cheltenham last week.

Doing Fine escaped a penalty for that success, leaving him on a handy mark considering the handicapper has put him up 8lb for future races.

Mulholland has two other major contenders – last year’s winner The Young Master and The Druids Nephew – but it is Doing Fine that gets the nod in what is always a fiercely competitive contest.

The biggest cheer of the afternoon would go to MENORAH if he can win the bet365 Oaksey Chase for the fourth year running.

Philip Hobbs’ veteran comes good at this time of his year, as illustrated by his performances in this race, and he arrives fresh in his bid for the fourtimer.

The Punchestown Festival draws to a close and, with Annie Power not in attendance, Gordon Elliott’s APPLE’S

JADE should prove a cut above her rivals in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Champion Hurdle.

Elliott, who looks increasingly likely to be crowned champion trainer, can also take the other Grade One on the card, the AES Champion Four Year Old, with MEGA FORTUNE.

SELECTIONS: PUNCHESTOWN: 2.35 Colour Squadron, 3.10 Cresswell Breeze, 3.50 Apple’s Jade, 4.25 Mega Fortune, 5.00 Sandymount Duke, 5.35 Open Eagle, 6.10 Simon’s Castle, 6.40 Chapter Seven. SANDOWN: 1.50 Call Me Lord, 2.25 Menorah, 3.00 Altior, 3.35 DOING FINE (NAP), 4.10 The New One, 4.45 Shantou Village, 5.20 Black Corton. DOUBLE: Doing Fine and Shantou Village.