Church bids for repeat at Sandown Michael Hourigan reports Church Island in good shape as his veteran staying chaser bids to win the Bet365 Gold Cup for the second successive year at Sandown on Saturday. The 12-year-old gelding has had a couple of recent outings over hurdles and on the Flat in preparation for the three miles and five furlongs stamina test, and Hourigan is pleased with the recent spell of fine weather. “He's in good form and is a horse that wants better ground. This has been the plan since last year, and Adrian (Heskin) will ride him again,” said the Patrickswell trainer. “He likes it around there, and ran real well when fourth in the race the previous year. I still think he has that bit of spark in him but it will be tough carrying plenty of weight,” he added. Church Island will carry top-weight at Sandown with Siegemaster ruled out due to the drying ground. Alan Magee
