Moore wary of task ahead for hat-trick-seeking Havaila
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Fri 24 Apr 2026
Josh Moore is well aware of the task in front of the in-form Havaila, who looks to complete a hat-trick in the bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase on the final day of the jumps campaign at Sandown.
The seven-year-old has been great heart this season, but stepped up on his last two outings when winning by seven and five lengths at Newbury and in Plumpton’s Sussex National respectively.
Those successes have seen Havaila climb from a mark of 116 to 135 in the space of five weeks, something the Cisswood handler feels will make his assignment much tougher despite being 4-1 favourite with the race sponsor.
“He’s been in great form since Plumpton the last day, so we are very happy with him,” said Moore, who trains in partnership alongside his father Gary.
“It’s going to be hard, he’s gone up 19lb in two runs so it’s going to be hard, but we shall see. You can only try, he’s in good form and that’s the most important thing.”
The Moore partnership will be double-handed with Invincible Nao also in the 14-runner field.
“He didn’t quite stay the distance on heavy ground back around Christmas time, but better ground – which he did win on in November – will hopefully help him get the trip,” Moore added.
“It’s just a question mark on whether he’ll stay over three and a half (miles). He has stayed it before, but Plumpton is different to Sandown.”
Resplendent Grey returns in a bid to defend the crown he won 12 months ago when he held off Willie Mullins’ Lombron by a length.
“He’s in good form, we’ve taken the blinkers off and replaced them with cheekpieces,” trainer Olly Murphy said.
“We’ve freshened him up since Cheltenham and he loves Sandown, loves good ground and we are hopeful of a very good run.”
In d’Or has recorded two third-placed finishes since joining Fergal O’Brien’s yard from Venetia Williams at the end of last season.
“He hasn’t had much of a season because he’s only had the two runs so he’s not had much racing after missing Cheltenham and Aintree,” said O’Brien.
“We’re confident he can run a good race and on the ground and the trip can suit.
“We’ll see how he gets on on Saturday and we’ll see how he is before deciding what’s next with him having had little racing.”
Tom Lacey admitted his JP McManus-owned Ascot scorer Montregard will step into “unknown territory” as he goes beyond three miles for the first time.
“He’s very well,” he said. “What we have seen to date, he should travel and jump for a long way.
“Whether he’ll stay that trip is the unknown – you’re going into unknown territory – but I wouldn’t see why he shouldn’t.”
A horse used to extreme distances is Livin On Luco, who was last seen getting edged by a short head at Exeter in a race just under four miles.
“Livin On Luco is particularly fresh and well, and he goes there with a very live each-way chance,” said Johnson White, who trains alongside Philip Hobbs.
“He will stay on up that hill very well so that shouldn’t be a problem.”
Kim Muir winner Ask Brewster lines up for Cath Williams along with runner-up of that race Road To Home (Mullins), while Rock My Way (Joe Tizzard), Certainly Red (Lydia Richards) and Gabbys Cross (Nick Scholfield) also run.
Neil Mulholland’s Transmission, Our Power (Sam Thomas) and the Ben Pauling-trained Henry’s Friend complete the line-up.
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