Neil Mulholland trio in Sandown field

Neil Mulholland fires a powerful three-pronged assault on the bet365 Gold Cup as he bids for back-to-back victories in the prestigious handicap chase that helps bring the jumps season to a close at Sandown on Saturday.

The Wiltshire trainer has three live chances with last year's winner The Young Master, The Druids Nephew and the in-form Doing Fine ready for battle in the three-mile-five-furlong test.

While 12 months ago this had been The Young Master's long-term target, he is only appearing at the Esher venue as he did not get very far in the Grand National.

Becher's Brook on the first circuit proved his undoing, but Mulholland had taken the precaution of putting him in the Sandown feature as a precaution and as he is none the worse for Aintree, he will attempt to become only the fifth horse to win the race twice since its inauguration in 1957.

"We targeted this race for him last year. We targeted the Grand National this year, but he fell early on. We had him entered in the bet365 for a back-up plan," said the Wiltshire handler.

The Druids Nephew was fifth to his stablemate last spring, but has specifically been aimed at this prize this time and has had just the two runs this term.

"This has been the plan for The Druids Nephew all year. We've kept him fresh since he ran at Cheltenham," said Mulholland.

Doing Fine is the surprise package of the three, having earned his place with a clear-cut victory over three and a half miles at Cheltenham last week.

The nine-year-old is not penalised for that success and was put up 8lb by the handicapper, meaning he could be let in lightly off 10st 3lb.

"He won at Cheltenham and he doesn't have a penalty so it just made sense to send him for the bet365, too," said Mulholland.

"He's improving with confidence and is in good form.

"We're happy with all three of them and hopefully one of them can win it."

Benbens makes a quick reappearance after an excellent effort to finish third in the Scottish Grand National last weekend.

Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies said: "He did very well in the Scottish National and let's hope he can go really well again in Saturday.

"He's come out of Ayr very well."

In contrast, Whats Happening goes to Sandown a fresh horse with just two runs since he returned following a 16-month lay-off.

Trainer Tom George is hoping that will aid the 10-year-old in his attempt to end the campaign on a high.

"He probably ran a bit flat at Cheltenham," said the Slad handler.

"He had a good comeback run (at Exeter in February) after a long time on the sidelines, but didn't run his race at the Festival, so we thought we'd give him a bit more time and we've been aiming him for this.

"He's a fresh horse and he was staying on up the hill first time back at Cheltenham so hopefully the same will apply at Sandown.

"There shouldn't be any problem with the trip and hopefully freshness will throw things in his favour a bit."

Paul Nicholls is double-handed with Just A Par and Present Man as he goes for a fifth win in this race.

Just A Par took the honours in 2015 and was just touched off by The Young Master 12 months ago.

"Just A Par has obviously run well in this race the last two years. He loves the track and the ground this time of year so hopefully he'll run well again," said the Ditcheat trainer.

Present Man is new to this contest and this extreme distance but the seven-year-old made all the running when scoring over three miles at Doncaster in December for one of his four victories this season.

"Present Man has been in good form. He loves going right-handed, he loves fast ground. The trip is a bit of unknown," said Nicholls.

Philip Hobbs is worried the going might be quicker than Rock The Kasbah is used to but feels his smart novice chaser has the physical attributes to cope.

The Minehead handler said: "He seems in very good form but I'm slightly concerned over the fact that maybe the ground will be quicker than most of his form has been on.

"But he's not an overly big horse and hopefully he'll manage all right."

Jockey Nico de Boinville is hoping he and Sugar Baron can make amends for parting company at the first fence in the Scottish National last week.

It looked a nasty fall for De Boinville, but he was back in action in time to ride Coneygree in the Punchestown Gold Cup on Wednesday.

Sugar Baron's trainer Nicky Henderson also saddles Vyta Du Roc.

"Sugar Baron owes me one after unseating me at the first in the Scottish National last week!" De Boinville told 32red.com.

"To be fair, it wasn't his fault at all, as he was bumped off his landing feet there and we had nowhere to go.

"What we said about him going into that race still stands - he is unexposed over fences and shaped like a stamina test would definitely suit when a strong-finishing sixth in the Kim Muir - and I think he is fairly handicapped, as is our Vyta Du Roc now off a mark of 137.

"He comes here a fresh horse and has chances."