PNicholls

At the time of writing , I see an online survey on next week's Bet365 Gold Cup shows that 22 per cent of the voters/punters think Kauto Star will win, and 18 per cent side with Mon Parrain. The pair are priced up at 8/1 and 7/1 respectively by the bookmakers. Well, I can tell you now that Mon Parrain will almost certainly not be winning, as he almost certainly does not run. I am still scratching my head as to how he got beat in the Topham. He jumped superbly once again and looked sure to win jumping the last - an opinion I gather was shared with Betfair customers who backed him into as low as 1.04 in-running - but he has been put away for the season. And he will probably be aimed at the Paddy Power Gold Cup next term, all being well. And I would definitely hold my Sandown bets ...