The Bet 365 Gold Cup Chase, to us old timers the Whitbread, will be run tomorrow the 24th of April at Sandown over 3 miles 5 furlongs. It is a shame the race planners do not get together because I am sure the quality of the field is affected by having the Irish Grand National on the 5th of April, the John Smith’s Grand National on the 10th of April and the Scottish Grand National on the 17th of April.

Air Force One (pictured) promised so much last season after an excellent run behind Madison du Berlais in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury. He has had his training problems and his form figures do not look encouraging but if he can recapture his best form he could run a big race here.