The last two rides of Tony McCoy’s career both look like starting as favourites but, even though they will be propelled forward by his astonishing will-power, it is not easy to fancy either of them. I have particular doubts about Mr Mole, his first ride of the day in the Celebration Chase, which barely deserves to be a Grade One but is nevertheless competitive.
Having been a disappointing sort last year, Mr Mole put together a run of four successive victories, the best of them coming in Newbury’s Game Spirit in February. But the form of those races looks weak and he appeared to be found out at the Cheltenham Festival.
On that form, he has more than 30 lengths to make up on Special Tiara, who finished third and is likely to make another bold bid from the front here. But conditions at the Festival were favourable for front-runners and that effort could prove the high-water mark of Special Tiara’s form.
Vibrato Valtat (3.15) is the talent in this field that may yet have more to offer. Still only six, Paul Nicholls’ grey was a Grade One winner over this course and distance early in the season, albeit against novices.
He was disappointing in the Arkle but Cheltenham appears not to bring out the best in him. His second placing behind Clarcam at Aintree was much sounder and he can hope for more give underfoot here, since the watering campaign pursued by course officials appears to have been effective.
1.45 Ripon It’s possible that Trip To Paris is a tricky ride, considering that Ryan Moore and Andrea Atzeni have been the only jockeys who have so far got him to win, but there was a lot of promise in his Ascot success last summer and again at Lingfield last time. Graham Lee gets the steering job this time and the horse still looks handicapped to win.
2.00 Sandown The step back in distance is a possible source of concern for Alzammaar who stayed on stoutly to score at Newbury on his handicap debut, when the fitting of cheekpieces may also have helped. But the hurdles track here can be a test of stamina and it appears that plenty of water has been put down, so hopefully the stiff finish will show him to advantage.
2.20 Haydock Yourartisonfire has resumed his progress this year and may have more to give with just an extra 5lb for his Nottingham success last time. This surface is completely different but he has form on fast going from previous seasons.
2.35 Sandown Al Ferof ought to be a shoo-in, now that he is stepped down to Listed company, but it is four years since he was able to sustain his form all the way through a season to the spring. Paul Nicholls may actually have a better chance with Rebel Rebellion, who achieved a career peak at this sort of distance when scoring at Newbury last month. He ran as well as could be expected in the Grand National, for which he lacked the necessary stamina. In five previous visits here, his worst placing has been fourth of nine.
3.50 Sandown The Bet365 Gold Cup would normally be the focus of this day but it would have had a lot more popular appeal this time if McCoy had a ride in it. Le Reve is a fair favourite and the way he hacked around here to victory in January suggests he must go well again. But this is a lot tougher and Grand Jesture may have slightly better credentials in light of his second placing behind The Druids Nephew at the Cheltenham Festival. He was beaten only by a very well handicapped winner that day and indeed The Druids Nephew seemed on his way to Grand National success a fortnight ago when a late faller. Grand Jesture is just 4lb higher here and a big run can be expected on what will only be his fourth outing of the season. He’s 9-1 as I type.
4.25 Sandown Box Office is expected to be McCoy’s final mount but the horse is hard to like in the wake of his weak efforts at Cheltenham and Aintree. He looked one-paced there and this big field surely contains something that can raise a stronger gallop in the closing stages. Perhaps it will be the three-time Flat winner Gran Maestro, making his handicap debut over hurdles with a tongue tie fitted for the first time. He is in the most capable hands of Dr Richard Newland, who ran him in a handful of novice contests in the autumn and will surely have him hard fit for this return to action.
