THE jumps season draws to a close at Sandown with the £160,000 Betfred Gold Cup providing the last major highlight and the very real prospect of a North Yorkshire-trained winner.

It may be asking a lot of Hot Weld, winner of the Scottish National last Saturday, to produce another winning display, just one week on from that heroic front-running performance, but Ferdy Murphy's gelding has had a light season of racing and may still be fresh enough to show his rivals a clean pair of heels in this valuable chase.

Dempsey, who ran a blinder in last month's Champion Chase when second to Voy Por Ustedes, has strong claims in the Betfred Celebration Chase, while the Betfred Mile, the best Flat race on this high-class mixed card, looks a good opportunity for Jeremy to start his campaign on a winning note.

Trained by Sir Michael Stoute, whose horses appear to be well forward, Jeremy proved his worth last season when landing the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot.

This step up from seven furlongs to a mile should not be a problem for Jeremy, who looks set to enjoy a lucrative campaign, coached by a man who has few peers in placing talented older horses.