Henderson ace Santini in great shape as Gold Cup campaign begins at Sandown

2.25 Sandown
Virgin Bet Future Stars Intermediate Chase (Listed) | 3m | 4yo+ | RTV

It may only be November but Sunday could offer an early sighter of this season's Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup winner as Santini begins his campaign.

This race has been graced by some top chasers in recent years as Gold Cup hero Coneygree won this race in 2015, while Might Bite was victorious in 2017 before going on to win the King George then finish second in the Cheltenham Festival highlight.

Santini is a general 8-1 for the Gold Cup, and last year's RSA runner-up faces three rivals on his seasonal reappearance.

The seven-year-old enjoyed a fine novice chasing campaign last season, winning impressively at Newbury on debut before posting two solid efforts at Grade 1 level, signing off at Cheltenham when beaten half-a-length by Topofthegame in the RSA.

Santini: working well ahead of his comeback at SandownCredit: Edward Whitaker

Henderson said: "Santini is doing great and we're looking forward to starting him off. He's such a good mover so I'm not sure he will want that [testing] ground but he'll have to cope with it as it's the obvious race for him.

"I think Sandown will suit him, you've got to stay well which he does well. Alan King's horse [Talkischeap] is pretty good so it looks an interesting race."

Talkischeap finished last season with a ten-length procession at Sandown in the bet365 Gold Cup.

Talkischeap: should head to the Ladbrokes Trophy following this runCredit: Edward Whitaker

This race is a stepping stone to the Ladbrokes Trophy, for which Talkischeap is a top-priced 16-1. Elegant Escape went on to finish second in Newbury's famous handicap chase following his victory here last year.

King told his Weekender column: "I'd hoped to run Talkischeap in the Pertemps qualifier at Newbury but his hurdle rating has risen 10lb so he's not qualified and this is the logical alternative, as long as the ground isn't too soft.

"He needs a run before the Ladbrokes Trophy, which is his first target with the Grand National a likely long-term aim."

The Philip Hobbs-trained Steely Addition makes his first start since scoring at Hereford in March, he won two of his four chasing starts last season.

His best performance came on heavy ground at Chepstow last December, so connections are using Sunday's race to prime him for a Welsh National return.

"We're going there for the prize-money with the favourite there," said Hobbs. "Hopefully he can run a nice race to get him ready for the Welsh National."

Now McGinty: being aimed at the Welsh Grand NationalCredit: Mark Cranham

Now McGinty completes the quartet for Stuart Edmunds. The eight-year-old finished second to Mister Malarky in the Reynoldstown last season and was midfield when last seen in the RSA.

Edmunds said: "He should finish last but he's in good order. This is his prep run to go to the Welsh National so hopefully he can run a nice race. He was second in a Grade 2 last year and he has beaten Mr Hobbs's horse [Steely Addition] but we'll see how we go."

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