The champagne is on ice for Brian Hughes ahead of DOMAINE DE L'ISLE's run in the Bet365 Gold Cup.
Britain's incoming champion jockey can round off a stellar season by taking the Sandown feature. Just days after joining the elite 200-club, for winners in a season, Hughes reunites with Sean Curran's stayer.
Their tally stands at two from three – and it was this time last year when the partnership blossomed. Domaine De L'Isle won the Virgin Bet Handicap Chase at Kempton by five lengths and followed up at Cheltenham's April Meeting.
The most recent of those successes was achieved off a mark of 144, 4lb higher than today's rating. My selection unseated his rider at the 15th fence of the Grand National, but form shows he is at his best over conventional fences.
He is a nice price and well handicapped compared to a couple of the market leaders. Admirable mare Win My Wings, one of three runners for Christian Williams, has been upped 14lb for her Ayr romp. Enrilo, demoted after crossing the line in first place last year, is capable of another big run with headgear applied.
NUBE NEGRA is the ray of light for punters in Sandown's bet365 Celebration Chase (3.00).
Fit and fresh after missing Cheltenham, the eight-year-old has a class edge over his rivals. Fancied to outrun his odds in the Champion Chase, conditions lived up to the horse's name - black cloud in Spanish - when soft ground washed away his chance.
The natural next target, this Grade 1 is winnable now he is in top form – and he can overturn Tingle Creek form with Greanateen. Top-rated of the five runners, Nube Negra proved he is fully capable of a bold show in the spring when runner-up at Cheltenham in 2021.
The selection goes particularly well after a break and is fancied to see off consistent chaser Sceau Royal, who will also love the prevailing conditions. Greaneteen's trainer Paul Nicholls will fancy his chances of taking the bet365 Oaksey Chase (2.25) with SAINT CALVADOS.
The Grade 2 event looks the ideal race to inspire the nine-year-old back to winning ways. A fine third in the King George on his stable debut, he appeared to be regaining his spark when racing with zest in the Melling Chase.
Fifth that day, when Mister Fisher was pulled up, he receives 6lb from Nicky Henderson's charge and the selection has done most of his winning in small fields. Erne River was making headway when falling at Aintree's Grand National meeting and although he has work to do on the official figures, has the ability to run a big race.
Saint Calvados should have too much back class for the win, yet prior to his mishap Nick Kent's horse was in the form of his life and he appeals more than Mister Fisher for the runner-up spot.
Stan Sheppard has enjoyed a memorable season and DIBBLE DECKER should be a fine spin in the bet365 Novices' Championship Final Handicap Hurdle (1.50). The son of Jet Away knuckled down to defeat a future winner at Taunton, where he was the well supported 6-4 favourite.
Tom Lacey's improver won a point and has stepped up on his early hurdling exploits in recent weeks. Still on a nice mark, he is just 5lb higher than his outing at the Somerset venue and his light campaign is favourable.
Head Law arrives on a four-timer and is much respected in the colours of JP McManus, despite a substantial rise in the weights, while Knappers Hill will be all the better for a confidence boosting round at Newton Abbot.
At Haydock, BOARDMAN catches the eye in the Great Shevington Handicap (2.05). Given a pipe-opener at Redcar, he was drawn poorly but finished well on the outside of the field.
Priced at 20-1 with the bookies, he was just two-and-three-quarter lengths behind the winner. Last season, the six-year-old's mark rose to a high of 97 in the aftermath of a hat-trick. The final win in the sequence came from an identical berth of 90 that he lines up off this afternoon.
PATH OF THUNDER is fancied to scoop the £22,684 first prize in Leicester's EBF Stallions King Richard III Stakes (2.45). An excellent fourth behind Real World in a Group 2 at Meydan, his sights are lowered to Listed level with Will Buick in the saddle.
Chasing a first title, the jockey is operating at a 35 per cent strike rate in the last fortnight – and trainer Charlie Appleby's is even higher.
