Nick Luck’s blog: Go Solo at Sandown

William Hill ambassador Nick Luck picks out his best bets on the Jump Finale card from Sandown, as well as at Haydock and Leicester on Saturday.

Sandown

CELTIC ART makes some significant appeal at 12/1 in a super competitive TV opener at Sandown on Finale day (1.05pm). He was a high-class horse on the Flat in his early days, exhibiting a level of ability to suggest that races like this shouldn’t be beyond him. More pertinently for today, he has recently shown himself a fine advert for Jeremy Scott’s training skills and you feel he’s been winning without exposing himself fully to the handicapper. Cut in the ground is no issue and he should go well at a price.

CAPTAIN GUINNESS might just cause a very minor upset in the Celebration Chase (1.40pm) at 9/2. I’m a little concerned this comes a bit soon after Aintree for Jonbon on his first try against seniors (and on softer ground, too), while the selection only has a few lengths to make up on Greaneteen from their meeting here in last year’s Tingle Creek and comes into the race in better form after an excellent effort at Cheltenham.

TEA CLIPPER appeals as a horse with some upside in the Bet365 Gold Cup (2.15pm) at 12/1. He’s completely unexposed over a proper trip, but the way he races suggests he might enjoy this quite a bit. His useful half-brother was effective over marathon distances and at this track, while he has rarely had an opportunity to race right-handed but has invariably performed well when he has. One example was his excellent effort in defeat at Ascot this season, on which form he is quite well treated. He performed with credit once again in the Ultima at Cheltenham, something of a golden form line.

SOLO is a horse on the up and looks to have been found the right opportunity in the Oaksey Chase (2.50pm). I loved the way he jumped and travelled on his first start since wind surgery at Kempton, form which has received a nice boost with the runner-up winning at Ayr last weekend. Hewick’s heavy fall in the Gold Cup means that he can’t be backed with confidence at very cramped odds and this looks a viable alternative at 4/1.

CAP DU MATHAN can win the Josh Gifford Memorial (3.25pm) at 9/2. A sound jumper with a bit of pace, he’s found a real rhythm and consistency of late. He likes going this way round and remains in the right grade. He’s good enough to give weight to these.

Leicester

AERION POWER , at 6/1, is better placed to win the Leicester TV feature, a mile handicap (3.05pm), than his recent form figures suggest. He’ll enjoy a return to a mile and, if he breaks on terms, should run a big race with Ryan Moore in the saddle.

Haydock

RHOSCOLYN looks quite interesting at 10/1 in an admittedly tough race at Haydock; the six furlong handicap (3.45pm). He’s racing off his lowest mark since bolting up in a warm Epsom handicap two seasons back, has had wind surgery in the close season, and received a very positive mention from his trainer in a recent TV interview. He posted a series off creditable efforts last year when there was some cut in the ground, and he ought to run well.