Richards’ ground fears for John’s Bet365 bid

NICKY Richards has warned punters According To John is unlikely to take his chance in Saturday’s Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown, unless the Esher track sees some rain.

The nine-year-old, third behind Denman in the 2007 Royal & SunAlliance Chase, returned from a 14-month absence to finish fourth at this venue in January.

He was far from disgraced when occupying the same position at Aintree last time, but was a late withdrawal from last weekend’s Scottish Grand National because of the fast ground at Ayr.

Richards is keen to give his charge another run before the end of the campaign, and will consider for a trip across the water to Punchestown if conditions are not right this weekend.

“I’ll have a word with Barry Simpson (racing manager to owner Sir Robert Ogden) but the horse does want some rain,” said Richards.

“It was too fast ground for him up in Scotland and I would think if it’s the same again this weekend, he won’t run.

“There is a race at Punchestown for him, but he won’t go anywhere if the ground isn’t correct for him.”

Bet365 Gold Cup - Cashmans bet: 5 Hoo La Baloo, 6 Lacdoudal, 10 Church Island, 11 According To John, 12 Oodachee, Bowleaze, Always Waining, Kilbeggan Blade, Laskari, 14 Erics Charm, Hennessy, New Little Bric, Briery Fox, 16 Darkness, Oscar Park, Golden Flight, Sherwoods Folly, 20 Zacharova, Pretty Star, 33 Verasi, 66 Dunbrody Millar