Harry Cobden: views on my six rides at Sandown on Saturday

Fire Flyer (1.50pm) is a horse we like a lot. Obviously he was very disappointing last time but I’m hopeful he can bounce back. A well-run two miles should be right up his street as he’s quite keen in his races. He’ll want further in time but two miles looks best for him at the moment.

If Hitman (2.25pm) ran like he did at Newbury two starts ago he’d have a massive chance in the Oaksey Chase. We’ve put the blinkers on for the first time having had a chat with Paul [Nicholls] on Thursday. We haven’t got anything to lose on the last day of the season and feel they might just keep him a bit straighter. They might just bring about that bit of improvement we’ve been looking for.

I ride Threeunderthrufive in the bet365 Gold Cup (3.35pm). It won’t be an easy task off top-weight but he comes into this off a career best run at Ascot last time. He’s done nothing wrong this season and he schooled well in the week. I’m not going to say he’s going to win the race, however I’d be disappointed if he didn’t finish in the first four or five.

Next up is Blueking d’Oroux in the Select Hurdle (4.10pm). He’s obviously got a bit to find with the market principles but he’s an improving type. The form of his Ascot win has worked out really well with Strong Leader winning the Aintree Hurdle and I wouldn’t be surprised if he outran his odds. He’s been trained for the race.

I’m on Golden Son in the handicap chase (4.45pm). I was originally on Outlaw Peter but just felt this lad had a bit more scope for improvement off his mark. He felt brilliant in the week and he comes into this a fresh horse, while Outlaw Peter only ran last weekend. He’s a bit inconsistent but we know he has ability and he seems to go much better when he’s given time between his runs, so hopefully that’s the case again here. 

My final ride of the day and season is Emailandy (5.20pm). He’s a nice horse and comes into this having won well at Plumpton. He’s done nothing wrong all year and his run two starts ago in the EBF Final is up there with the best form in the race. He finished behind two good horses there and if he can progress again, he should have a nice chance.