Sandown's Celebration Meeting is a gleaming tailpiece to the jumps season, bringing the toffs and tweeds together for a cracking mixed card.

Formerly known as the Whitbread Gold Cup, Sandown should be applauded for putting a definitive name on a race that had lost its identity since Whitbread withdrew their sponsorship in 2001 after 44 years.

Renaming the great race the Sandown Gold Cup and allowing sponsors Bet365 to add their name to it without obliterating it, is commendable.

However, trying to recapture its status and lustre looks an exercise in futility.

Once known as one of the 'Big Four', along with the Hennessy, King George and Cheltenham Gold Cup, it is now more Leeds United than Manchester United.

"It is not the race it was," conceded trainer Charlie Swan, who won the contest twice as a jockey, and who saddles Oodachee in the extended three-mile five-furlong handicap chase.

"The big Festivals at Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown attract the top horses these days and the Whitbread is suffering as a result."

The Irish do not have a great record in £165,000 Grade 3 handicap, winning just three times in the last 30 years.

But Irish-trained horses appear to have a fighting chance of landing the prize tomorrow.

Oodache's staying-on second to Irish Raptor in the John Smith's Topham Handicap at Aintree last time gives him an obvious chance, particularly since he will relish the expected fast ground.

But CHURCH ISLAND (3.10) is narrowly preferred.

Trained by Michael Hourigan, a man who could never be accused of exuding pessimism when extolling the virtues of his runners, the 10-year-old was a game runner-up to Niche Market in the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday. He stayed on doggedly under 7lb claimer Luke McNiff that day and though he is prone to making the odd error, as evidenced at Ascot on his previous British start, he is very clever at his fences and has won six of 24 chases without falling once.

Church Island would appreciate good ground, but his only attempt on good to firm going resulted in a win under tomorrow's partner Denis O'Regan.

SANGFROID (2.05) looked a progressive handicapper when second to subsequent Fred Winter Juvenile Novices' Hurdle winner Silk Affair here in February.

Yet he underlined his 'frustrating' tag last time out when he looked to be going well at Uttoxeter, only to fall in a race won by Snake Charmer.

Trainer Nick Williams has chosen this race in preference to other entries at Chepstow and Ludlow and, though he has been campaigned on softer ground than he is likely to encounter, has winning Flat form on fast ground.

Sendani is happiest on a faster surface and after a six-month break, looked as though he'd come on for the run when seventh to From Dawn To Dusk at Cheltenham and should not be overlooked.

Trainer Ferdy Murphy ducked out of next week's Punchestown Festival to bring Arkle runner-up KALAHARI KING (2.35) to Sandown. Despite a 4lb penalty for winning the Maghull Novices' Chase at Aintree last time, the imposing eight-year-old should be too good for his rivals in the Grade 2 Celebration Chase.

PACO BOY (2.45) was given no chance with a wide draw when behind Gladiatorus in the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free at Nad Al Sheba and though yet to win beyond seven furlongs, he looks to hold serious claims in the Group 2 Bet365 Mile.

Mark Johnston's Lovelace won a handicap here last summer with a ton in hand and may not be far away.