Betty's Boy can scupper Grand National hero Bobbyjo's bid to complete an outstanding double in tomorrow's £10,000 Whitbread Gold Cup, the final major steeplechase of the season.

The Sandown showpiece has been the target for Betty's Boy since trainer Kim Bailey opted to give the Grand National a miss with his Cheltenham Festival winner. Consequently, the ten year old who has had only three races this season, comes into battle here as a fresh horse.

Betty's Boy, who missed the whole of last term through injury, has scored twice this season, most notably when getting the better of Island Chief to lift the valuable William Hill National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last month.

He is set to race from 4lb out of the handicap tomorrow - as is Bobbyjo - but supporters should take note that this race has been won by horses similarly positioned five times in the last 10 years.

Bobbyjo will be bidding to become only the second horse ever to complete the Grand National-Whitbread Gold Cup double and the first since Mr Frisk in 1990.

He has a major chance, especially as he has not picked up a penalty for his fabulous Aintree triumph but the exertions of the Grand National invariably leaves a temporary mark on horses and Bobbyjo is passed over simply for that reason.

Betty's Boy will do for me and with Norman Williamson booked for the ride, the Lambourn gelding is awarded the nap vote.

Sandown's mixed programme is also highlighted by the £60,000 Group 3 Thresher Classic Trial, in which Glamis is fancied to follow-up his recent Kempton victory.

John Gosden's smart colt, on course for the Derby, trotted up by five lengths from Peace Of Mind at Kempton. He can enhance his Epsom claims by obliging again here, after which Gosden may well elect to bring him to York next month for the Dante Stakes.

The Group 2 Marriott Hotels Gordon Richards Stakes is the chosen target for Generous Rosi, winner of his opening race this season at Kempton.

The four-year-old ran out a decisive scorer of that Listed event, winning by three-and-a-half lengths. He looks sure to take plenty of beating tomorrow.

Local interest at Sandown is pretty thin on the ground, but Foston trainer Charles Booth has a first-rate chance of getting his name on the scoresheet with Saphire in the opening Beefeater Restaurant Rated Handicap.

A useful juvenile last term, Saphire made a promising start to this season when coming from an impossible position to finish a close-up fifth to Inya Lake in the Field Marshal Stakes.

She is fancied to turn the tables on third-placed Damalis and lift this £12,000 prize.

Ripon's meeting is subject to a second inspection of the rain-sodden course at 7.30 in the morning to see whether racing can go ahead. The course was first inspected at 8am today.

If the green light is given, make a note of Tim Easterby's Pipadash (2.35) and course and distance winner Nigel's Lad (3.40).

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