ITV Racing Tips: Kitty’s Light can shine again to land last big race of jump season
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The 2022-23 jumps season reaches its finale at Sandown this weekend, with flat racing dominating from here through the summer, but there is time for one last hurrah.
The Gold Cup is the last big race of the campaign, but the card features a smattering of the personalities who have shaped the season.
Paul Nicholls will be crowned champion trainer for the 14th time. Arkle runner-up Jonbon will step out of novice company to take on Greaneteen and Editeur Du Gite in the Celebration Chase, and fan favourite Hewick, last year’s bet365 Gold Cup winner lines up in the Oaksey Chase.
In the feature race Kitty’s Light will attempt to become only the second horse to win that prize and the Scottish Grand National which he captured seven days ago.
They are among the highlights of a seven-race schedule featuring five races from Sandown and one each from the Flat cards at Haydock and Leicester.
The action begins at 12:50 on ITV and continues on ITV4 from 14:25. We have previewed three of the day’s significant races in our ITV Racing Tips.
Jonbon steps out of novice company to take on his seniors and there is every reason to think he can beat them and lay down a marker for next season.
His only defeat over fences came at Cheltenham behind the brilliant El Fabiolo and he was faultless at Aintree, admittedly against an inferior field.
This is the acid test against course specialist Greaneteen, who has won the race for the last two years and Editeur Du Gite, who were third and fourth in the Champion Chase, beaten a long way. He can pass it.
The final big jump race of the season is another big field handicap with 18 runners. Kitty’s Light won the Scottish Grand National seven days ago but is turned out again quickly seeking this valuable prize.
Hot Weld is the only horse to complete this double and if his trip to Ayr hasn’t left a mark, Kitty’s Light can become the second. He has already finished second and third in the Sandown race and was third last year after running second at Ayr.
He has run the two races before, the difference this time is there has been less time between the two races. He gets no penalty for his latest win so remains well handicapped. It’s another golden opportunity.
The remarkable Hewick won the bet365 Gold Cup last year but has since developed into a top-notch chaser. The horse who cost just £800 has since won the Galway Plate and the American Grand National and was running a huge race in the Cheltenham Gold Cup until falling two out.
He wouldn’t have won but he has proved he belongs in top races. This Grade 2 event is not Gold Cup standard so it’s a fantastic opportunity for him to add to his legend with Rachael Blackmore aboard for the first time.
ITV Racing Schedule, Saturday 29th April
13:05 Sandown – 2m novices handicap hurdle final
13:40 Sandown – Celebration Chase
14:15 Sandown – Gold Cup
14:50 Sandown – Oaksey Chase
15:05 Leicester – King Richard III Cup
15:25 Sandown – Josh Gifford Novices’ Handicap Chase
15:45 Haydock – 7f handicap
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
