Hero set to strike Gold and Ramazan to win at Haydock

HIGH Class Hero can grab victory in the bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (4.10pm) on the final day of the Jumps season this afternoon. While at Haydock Park, Ramazan can win the Try Unibet’s New Same Race Multis Handicap (2.40pm).

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Willie Mullins has a powerful team for the feature at the Esher track as he bids to overhaul Dan Skelton in the race for the Jumps racing trainers’ championship.

Although Skelton remains in the lead, it looks like the Irish trainer’s big squad of top-class talent should give him the victories he needs to land a second successive British title.

Mullins saddled a one-two-three in the Randox Grand National at Aintree Racecourse at the start of the month headed by winner Nick Rockett and also a one-two in the Scottish version with Captain Cody and Klarc Kent.

He could do the similar in the bet365 Gold Cup where he saddles 10 of the 20 runners with the likes of last year’s winner and Grand National seventh Minella Cocooner, Aintree third Grangeclare West, Dancing City, Scottish National runner-up Klarc Kent and O’Moore Park - all of which are in with big chances of victory.

But it is his High Class Hero who could live up to his name and triumph. The eight-year-old has only run three times over fences since being second in a Grade One Novice Hurdle at last season’s Punchestown Festival.

He was second on his debut at the same County Kildare track over three miles over Christmas. He landed a first success over fences when beating stable-mate Loughglynn in a 2m6½f Beginners Chase, also at Punchestown in February.

High Class Hero was second again in a Grade Three Novice Chase at Thurles last month and looks to be on an upward curve over fences.

In his three starts he has looked a stayer with real promise and he appears to be crying out for this longer trip of 3m4½f. High Class Hero can give Mullins another big victory.