Sandown Jumps Season Finale

The final day of the jumps season is upon us and the trainer’s championship is set for a thrilling climax at Sandown, where Willie Mullins saddles another strong group of horses after last week’s success in the Scottish National.

The feature race of the day is the Grade 1 Celebration Chase, which will see Mullins's star El Fabiolo take on Jonbon for the first time since last year’s Arkle.

We’ve provided selections for all the UK terrestrial TV races on Saturday with four picks from Sandown and a couple on the Flat from Haydock and Leicester.

13:50 THE BET365 NOVICES’ CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL HANDICAP HURDLE

Be Aware could get the day off to a flyer for Dan Skelton. He outran odds of 11-1 on debut to win in good style and has been beaten by no more than a length in two subsequent runs. Quick ground should suit this son of Martaline, who has already won on good-to-soft, and he can get Skelton's bid to thwart Mullins off to the best possible start.

Selection: Be Aware

14:05 THE CARLING KING RICHARD III CUP HANDICAP

This can go the way of Al Mubhir, who is bidding to win back-to-back renewals of this race at Leicester. He bolted up on similar ground last year before running well in defeat on a number of occasions afterwards. It’s interesting that he’s been gelded since last season and his trainer, William Haggas, is a master of getting a horse ready first time up. This son of Frankel should take a fair bit of beating.

Selection: Al Mubhir

14:25 THE BET365 OAKSEY CHASE (GRADE 2)

This could be a good opportunity for The Real Whacker to get back on track. He showed a useful level of ability when runner-up at Cheltenham in January, and while he found the Gold Cup too warm subsequently, he should relish this drop in class. If he can get into a good rhythm over Sandown’s Railway fences, he could be hard to peg back if getting an uncontested early lead.

Selection: The Real Whacker

14:45 THE TRUSTATRADER.COM HANDICAP STAKES

Earls is an interesting Irish raider but, at bigger odds, it may be worth taking a chance on Katie Scott’s representative, Gweedore. He was highly progressive last year, winning on his reappearance before recording back-to-back wins later in the season, and he gave the impression there could still be more to come at the end of the campaign when running several big races in defeat. He’s a dangerous horse to give an easy lead to and he’s the only confirmed front-runner in the line-up, so it’s possible he’ll be able to dominate these rivals.

Selection: Gweedore

15:00 THE BET365 CELEBRATION CHASE (GRADE 1)

This looks like a trappy contest and holes can be picked in the front two in the market. Jonbon was electric at Aintree last time but he's a quirky sort who has put in a number of poor performances after show-stopping wins in the past. El Fabiolo’s jumping is a cause for concern and, therefore, Edwardstone may be worth taking a chance on. He posted a career-best when winning the Tingle Creek at Sandown a couple of years ago, and while he was caught out two from home in the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last time, he could bounce back.

Selection: Edwardstone

15:35 THE BET365 GOLD CUP (HANDICAP CHASE)

Plenty hold claims in the last big staying handicap of the season, including last year’s winner Kitty’s Light. But, at more attractive odds, it may be worth taking a chance on Minella Cocooner. One of three entries for Willie Mullins, Minella Cocooner showed that he may be a force to be reckoned with at this sort of trip going forward when third in the Irish Grand National last time out. That form looks rock-solid - he chased home two rivals well ahead of their marks - and he ought to outrun his odds.

Selection: Minella Cocooner