Mulholland Expects Conditions To Suit

Trainer Neil Mulholland is confident The Young Master will handle the going in Saturday’s bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.

The Young Master is bidding for a second Sandown Gold Cup this weekend, having triumphed in the coveted race back in 2016, and he has shown some positive form over the past few months.

Mike Burbidge & The Old Masters’ charge landed a victory at Chepstow in October before following that up with a win at Cheltenham in the Markel Insurance Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase.

The 10-year-old then pulled up at Newbury in the Trophy Chase before finishing third in the Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase in last month’s Festival at Prestbury Park.

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With the heatwave hitting the UK over the past week, the ground is expected to be at least good at Sandown on Saturday and Mulholland believes that will suit The Young Master. “It’s testing times with how the weather is for everyone, but hopefully the ground will be how he likes it,” he was quoted as saying by Sky Sports. “He’s got 10st 8lb, so (jockey) Sam (Waley-Cohen) will be happy! It will be a bit easier than the last couple he’s had.”