The final two-mile showdown of the spring will be run and won at Ladbrokes Park on Saturday, our insider 2017 Sandown Cup betting tips and updated odds on the staying feature detailed below.

Due to run early on the Zipping Classic Day card as Race 3 at 1:35pm (AEDT), it is a diminutive and diminishing field for this season’s Listed $150,000 Ladbrokes Sandown Cup (3200m).

After only drawing eight original final acceptors, the line-up has been further depleted with the early scratchings of Doukhan (8) and Zoffany Rose (6).

Of the remaining six stayers, four are under double-figures in the updated Sandown Cup odds at Ladbrokes.com.au.

The bulk of the money is on the firming $2.25 short-priced favourite Gallic Chieftain from the Darren Weir stables on the quick seven day back-up.

An in-form Tamayuz entire, the imported five-year-old raced in last weekend’s Group 3 $300,000 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) running fifth to Vengeur Masque.

He went into that on a second to the same horse in the Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m) and prior to that was competitive when a close third to Lord Fandango in the Group 2 Ladbrokes Herbert Power Stakes (2400m).

Dropping in class and going up to two miles, the bookies rate Gallic Chieftain as the one to beat after he made up plenty of late ground for the back on Emirates Stakes Day.

The dangers looking at the Sandown Cup betting markets are the Aaron Purcell-trained runner-up from last year’s race Swacadelic ($3.70) and gun NZ Group 1 winning mare Fanatic ($3.80).

So will the top three run the trifecta in the Sandown Cup results this weekend or is there an upset pending?

1^st

#4 Swacadelic ($3.70)

Like the chances of dour stayer Swacadelic to return to winning form, his last win being at Mornington in late September. He comes off a lead-up third to fellow Sandown Cup hopeful Fanatic and, like her, has experience at 3200m. Get a further weight advantage over Fanatic carrying the 54kg minimum and was a narrow second to Melbourne Cup fourth placegetter Qewy in this race last year. His lead-up run on Melbourne Cup Day over 2800m saw him get stuck out wide on the turn for home at Flemington and with a better run at Sandown he’s a danger.

2^nd

#2 Fanatic ($3.80)

Plenty of boxes ticked by this Kiwi expat now prepared by the David Hayes-led Lindsay Park stable. She’s been competitive in NZ over 3200m and gets the chance to do so down under on the weekend coming into the race rock, hard fit. The five-year-old is bred to stay being a daughter of Shocking (2009 Melbourne Cup winner) and was impressive from a wide alley to win over 2800m on Melbourne Cup Day. She was at a big price, and did save ground, but was still an eye-catcher and remains an Each Way chance.

3^rd

#2 Gallic Chieftain ($2.25)

Favourite getting very short in betting and definite claims to salute for the punters. The Queen Elizabeth Stakes loss last weekend is forgivable and the late sectionals were good. Has form around some nice types this spring and finished ahead of Fanatic (8^th) in his Geelong Cup second two back. Goes up to 57.5kg so doesn’t look particularly well-weighted, but has class and fitness.

Back our exclusive Sandown Cup 2017 tips now at the best Zipping Classic Day odds through Ladbrokes.com.au.