Sandown best bet (1535): Golden Son set to shine again for Harry Cobden and Paul Nicholls

15:35 Sandown: Betfair Serial Winners Fund Novices’ Handicap Chase (2½ miles)

With four last-time-out winners and two runners-up in the seven-strong line-up, there is clearly no shortage of likely contenders for one of the biggest prizes on Saturday’s card.

Even the only horse not to fit that category, Mylesfromwicklow (fourth on his last appearance in January), should not be discounted after landing a win and five seconds in his seven previous outings, and Dan Skelton's seven-year-old could well turn up in good shape again under Fergus Gillard.

Gary Moore’s likeable six-year-old Kotmask looks to be a serious contender, making a smooth transition to larger obstacles after proving himself a useful hurdler. He won over a shorter trip at this venue in January and is now seeking a hat-trick after also scoring at Plumpton last month.

The one to beat, however, has to be top-rated Golden Son, who has been treated gently by Paul Nicholls since the Ditcheat yard acquired the French raider following a 18-month absence from the track.

Planet Sport Bet Daily Special: Bet £20+ cash on any runner in the race and if Golden Son wins by more than 3 lengths, get a £5 Free Bet

The grey six-year-old shaped up well on season and stable debut at Warwick in November, when he was the only runner to keep in touch with proven Cheltenham Festival winner Iroko, with the rest of the field strung out 17+ lengths behind.

He was pulled up on his two subsequent December outings, but this seemed to be more precautionary than as a response to anything seriously amiss, and those decisions were quickly rewarded when he landed a big prize in a higher-graded handicap at Kempton two weeks ago.

READ MORE: Harry Cobden's assesses his seven Sandown rides in his Planet Sport Bet blog

That form has been rubberstamped by the subsequent performance of runner-up Heltenham, who bounced back quickly to land the Greatwood Gold Cup with plenty in hand at Newbury last weekend.

First-time cheekpieces appeared to do the trick for Golden Son a fortnight ago, so it’s no surprise to see them retained here, and while his mark has been nudged up three pounds, he still looks well treated to see off rivals who are rated lower than those he beat at Kempton.

 Suggested best bet: Golden Son in the 15:35 at Sandown

• Tip advised by Seventh Heaven Horse Racing on Tipstrr

 

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