Pipe takes aim at Sandown finale

Therealbandit could head Pipe's contingent

Martin Pipe has eight of the 21 entries left in Saturday's Betfred Gold Cup at Sandown as he aims to secure his 15th jumps trainer's championship.

Victory for Pipe in the 3m 5f chase should guarantee him the title ahead of rival Paul Nicholls.

Pipe's octet is led by Therealbandit, who heads the weights along with Nicholls' Royal Auclair, who was second in the Grand National.

Ante-post favourite for the race is the Francois Doumen-trained Kelami.

Kelami, who won the William Hill Trophy at Cheltenham last month, will collect a £250,000 bonus if he also wins at Sandown.

Trainer's title race goes to wire

There are two Irish-trained entries - Ted Walsh's Jack High, who was second in the Irish Grand National and Davids Lad, trained by Tony Martin.

The Betfred Gold Cup (known for many years as the Whitbread Gold Cup) traditionally brings down the curtain on the jumps season and has been won in the past by horses such as Arkle, Mill House and Desert Orchid.

---

Betfred Gold Cup, Sandown, 3m 5f, Saturday 23 April
Ballycassidy, Boy's Hurrah, Comply Or Die, Davids Lad, Heart Midoltian, Inca Trail, Iris Bleu, Jack High, Joint Authority, Joly Bey, Jurancon II, Juveigneur, Kelami, Lucky Bay, Maximize, Merchants Friend, Royal Auclair, Stormez, Therealbandit, Whitenzo, Zeta's River.