KITTY’S Light and the Bet365 Chase go way back. Christian Williams’ horse was only five when he finished second in the race in 2021.

Third past the post, promoted to second, but he was the moral winner, he was the morally-wronged when Enrilo moved to his left and checked his forward surge.

He was unlucky too that Potterman dipped his head on the far side to pass the post in second place, in front of the hampered Kitty’s Light.

The stewards placed Enrilo behind Kitty’s Light, but that was still only enough for the Nathaniel gelding (yes, he’s a gelding) to be awarded the runner-up award.

Kitty’s Light was back at Sandown the following year, when, racing off a 6lb higher mark, he finished third behind Hewick – nobody was going to beat Hewick that day – and he was back again last year, when he finally won the race, racing off a mark of 140, 5lb lower than he was in 2022.

He won the Eider Chase last year, and the Scottish Grand National, before he went to Sandown and won the Bet365 Gold Cup. He’s made of stern stuff, and Christian Williams is a master with these staying chasers.

Win My Wings competed the same Eider/Scottish National double in 2022, and Kitty’s Light chased her home in the Scottish National in 2022, a 1-2 for the trainer, before going back and winning it himself in 2023.

Some treble

It’s some arduous treble to pull off, the Eider, the Scottish National and the Bet365 Gold Cup, a combination of 11 miles and six furlongs and only six days between Ayr and Sandown.

It’s difficult not to root for Kitty’s Light, every time he races, every time any one of his trainer’s horses race, because of the heartache that the trainer and his family are going through. And Kitty’s Light is favourite today, which is as it should be.

The race obviously suits him, the track, the ground, the pace, and he goes into the race in good form after a fine run to finish fifth in the Aintree Grand National. And he gets to race today off a handicap rating of 145 too, 1lb lower than his Aintree mark.

But Kitty’s Light is the only winning favourite this decade, so, from a betting perspective, you are entitled to look for alternatives.

Threeunderthrufive was good in winning at Ascot last time, he showed lots of resolve, and he is only 4lb higher now, while the runner-up in that race, Rapper, is only 1lb higher.

Minella Cocooner ran a big race in the Irish National, and Paul Townend still prefers Nick Rockett, as he did in the Irish National.

The Ten Up Chase runner-up could still be a well-handicapped horse. And Certainly Red goes well at Sandown, even though he jumps to his left, and he could be a big player if his first-time cheekpieces can help him jump a little more fluently.

But Amirite has been shaping like there could be a big prize in him for a little while now, and he could have it all in his favour today.

Henry de Bromhead’s horse was a highly regarded novice last season, when he didn’t have a lot of luck. He made a bad mistake early on in the Grade 2 Florida Pearl Chase, and he was on the receiving end of a bizarre incident in the Grade 1 Neville Hotels Chase, when he unseated, when there was nothing he nor his rider could do.

He was sent off as favourite for last year’s Irish Grand National.

He has raced just twice this season. He ran well for a long way in a handicap chase at Cheltenham in October, in which his saddle slipped, and he ran well in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown at Christmas.

He didn’t have a lot of racing room when the field filed around the by-passed second last fence, but he kept on well over the last and up the run-in to finish fifth.

He gets to race off the same handicap mark today of 142, and that is a mark that could under-rate him.

The step up to this marathon trip and the move to better ground could be a combination that will suit well. He has still raced just seven times over fences, he still has lots of potential for progression as a staying chaser. His trainer’s horses are in really good form these days, and he will have Rachael Blackmore for company.

Handicap hurdle

The concluding two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle is competitive, but Arqoob could out-run his odds.

Lucy Wadham’s horse’s two wins over hurdles have been gained over the minimum trip, but he shaped well over almost two and a half miles at Ascot in February and, after being well beaten over three miles on soft ground at Doncaster, he ran well again back at Ascot, back over an intermediate trip.

He was the only one who was able to give chase to Supreme Gift, the pair of them finishing well clear of their rivals. Supreme Gift was beaten next time, but he probably didn’t fully stay the three-mile trip that day.

Arqoob was only eighth in a handicap hurdle at Cheltenham last time, but he was only beaten a total of three lengths by the winner Doyen Quest.

Bryony Frost gets on really well with him, he goes well on goodish ground, and he goes well at Sandown. He has won there on the flat and over hurdles, and he ran a big race to finish third behind Under Control in the novices’ championship final on this day last year. He has plenty in his favour.

Also, the first-time cheekpieces could elicit a little more improvement and, if they do, he could go well at a decent price.

Amirite, 3.35 Sandown, 1 point each-way, 7/1 (generally)

Arqoob, 5.20 Sandown, 1 point each-way, 16/1 (generally)