Sometimes, the Sandown Jump Finale is a coronation for the British champion trainer. Not in 2025, however, as Willie Mullins and Dan Skelton go at it hammer and tongs for the title. The Esher venue brings the curtain down on another National Hunt season this Saturday, 26 April.
Highlights from this card include the Grade 1 Celebration Chase featuring course specialist Jonbon and six rivals. Mullins mounts and Skelton runners have more realistic chances in the Grade 2 Select Hurdle and Oaksey Chase, meanwhile.
Handicaps play a large part in the Sandown Jump Finale with four in total. The big betting race is of course the bet365 Gold Cup over an extended three-and-a-half miles. Mullins runs half of the field, putting 11 horses out of the handicap thanks to the topweight.
That makes it very hard for Skelton to realistically mount a serious challenge in this valuable Premier Handicap Chase. The Novices’ Championship Final over hurdles kicks things off and the Josh Gifford Novices’ Handicap Chase follows before the graded action gets underway.
What adds extra spice for punters using horse racing betting sites for their wagers on events at the Greater London track is the nip and tuck nature of the title race. Don’t be fooled by traders, though, as other high-profile runners from outside the Mullins and Skelton yards take part too.
We just had to ask our experts for one final look at National Hunt action before the core season ends. You can see the horses they picked out and why with all their thoughts below on everything happened on the seven-race card at Esher.
Sandown Jump Finale 2025 Preview for Saturday, 26 April
1:20 – 2m Class 2 Novices’ Final Handicap Hurdle
While all three of Paul Nicholls’ horses – Sorceleur, Fasol and bottom weight Nardaran – all have shouts, Fergal O’Brien also has a strong hand. John Barbour is 4lb better off with Serious Challenge despite the fact that conditional jockey Jack Hogan can’t claim his usual 3lb here. After just six career starts, he looks less exposed than most.
John Barbour is also by Yeats and should have no stamina doubts facing the famous Esher hill. A number of four-year-olds run against their elders here with topweight Give It To Me Oj and St Pancras two to note. HMS President is a battle-hardened handicapper off the Flat for Alan King, meanwhile.
1:50 – 2m 4f Class 2 Josh Gifford Novices’ Handicap Chase
Classic Anthem boasts steeplechase form figures of 221 around Esher and only has a 5lb hike for his comprehensive victory last time. Champion jockey Sean Bowen is again aboard. Also low in the weights is Eyed, who may find one too good again for Hughie Morrison. He simply hit the front too soon at Ayr a fortnight ago but, if delivered late, is definitely capable of landing this.
Ben Pauling runs two, but hasn’t been in form this month. That means there’s less to like about either Bad or Pic Roc. The topweight Mark Of Gold has much less on his plate here than when third over course and distance in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles on desperate going in February. Little else makes much appeal with Nicholls saddling course hurdles second Insurrection under a welter burden.
2:25 – 2m 6f 164y Grade 2 Oaksey Chase
Pic D’Orhy has been a wonderful servant and goes from the front. Provided he gets into his usual rhythm, he should prove difficult to catch. The chief threat comes from Gaelic Warrior, who has often shifted right at his obstacles. He’s the clear pick of Mullins’ quartet.
Also interesting is Topham Chase winner Gentleman De Mee. The Railway Fences pose a different test to the Grand National course, but he’s unexposed over this kind of trip and kept on well around Aintree. The veteran Appreciate It and Classic Getaway both have less going for them.
As for the rest, they need career bests just to hit the frame. Ga Law was runner-up here 12 months ago, but this demands plenty more and he pulled up on his last two starts. Skelton’s Boombawn is in very deep waters, while course winner Le Patron needs big improvement. Hitman also goes for Nicholls, but is the clear stable second string.
3:00 – 2m 5f 110y Grade 2 Select Hurdle
She shapes like a stayer and ran solid races at the highest level when third to Lossiemouth at both Cheltenham and Aintree. Take No Chances also receives 4lb and upwards from the field here. Further progress from Kitzbuhel in a first-time hood can’t be ruled out, but fast ground is a concern.
Fellow five-year-old Salver has found life difficult as so many smart juveniles from the previous season can do. Gwennie May Boy is Skelton’s other runner, but carries a penalty for his Haydock romp and this demands more. Blueking O’Doroux is in the doldrums, meanwhile.
3:35 – 1m 7f 99y Grade 1 Celebration Chase
Long absent Il Etait Temps may need the run, but has more potential than other Mullins mount Energumene, who has already been put in his place by Nicky Henderson’s stable star this term. Skelton duo Harper’s Brook and Unexpected Party aren’t up to this off level weights, but can pick up prize money for jumping round in their own time.
King veteran Edwardstone has gone well here in the past, but simply isn’t the force of old. That leaves Game Spirit winner Master Chewy as one who could go well at a big price for Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies. He didn’t seem to stay further in the Ryanair, so dropping back in distance makes sense.
4:10 – 3m 4f 146y bet365 Gold Cup (Premier Handicap Chase)
Grangeclare West frames the handicap after his Grand National third. Dancing City, meanwhile, needs to bounce back from disappointing displays at the spring festivals. Lurking lower down, but sill within the weights, however, is LOMBRON. He catches the eye on pedigree and as Rachael Blackmore’s sole ride on the card.
Lombron is by Irish St Leger winner Turgeon and out of a Gentlewave mare, so could get the trip and looks worth an each-way punt. Resplendent Grey is only 1lb out of the handicap, meanwhile, and ran well in defeat over 3m here and when fourth in the National Hunt Chase. Olly Murphy’s runner finished a neck in front of re-opposing fifth Transmission at Cheltenham.
Due to both being out of the weights, they take each other on again off 9lb better terms for Resplendent Grey. At a big price, Victtorino could run well based on his Coral Gold Cup third, but Venetia Williams’ stable isn’t in form right now.
4:45 – 2m 4f Class 2 Handicap Hurdle (0-145)
A trappy contest to finish the Sandown Jump Finale card off. Mullins has three of the four highest in the weights and Skelton the bottom two. MOSTLY SUNNY is the nominal selection, provided the quick turnaround from Plumpton isn’t an issue. Harry Skelton rides him instead of bottom weight Got Grey.
Of Mullins’ quartet, Jump Allen may fair best. He didn’t stay 3m at Ayr two weeks ago, but dropping back in trip could work. Push The Button shapes like he has a race in him for the Twiston-Davies team, meanwhile. Topweight Bunting is too keen for his own good and Dr Eggman didn’t last home from the front over this trip at Cheltenham.
