Can Brian Hughes end the season on a high? We assess his five Sandown rides

Brian Hughes is often the forgotten man on racing’s biggest days, but on the afternoon he is crowned champion jockey for the second time, he has a decent book of five rides at Sandown as he bids to end his superb campaign on a high. But is that likely, or will the champ be the bridesmaid and not the bride on the day of his coronation?

Red Vision

Odds: 20-1

On a hat-trick after wins at Bangor and Sedgefield in March, when ridden by Hughes on both occasions, but this Donald McCain-trained runner faces a much more difficult task here.

Spotlight comment:Record of 1-7 in points; progressing nicely under rules with wins at Bangor (soft) and Sedgefield (good) but tackles a very different level of opposition here now switched to handicaps.

Nuts Well

Odds: 7-1

Currently the outsider of four, the 11-year-old may have his work cut out against experienced campaigners Mister Fisher and Saint Calvados, and the novice Erne River. However, he showed he retained all his ability when winning Kelso's Listed Premier Chase in March.

Spotlight comment:Veteran who retains plenty of ability and bagged Listed honours at Kelso (2m7f) two starts ago; stiff task in Aintree Grade 1 latest; should find things slightly easier back down in class but whether this 11yo can defy a 6lb penalty in this grade is another matter.

Domaine De L'Isle

3.32 Sandown: bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase, 3m5f

Odds: 22-1

Was last seen when unseating in the Grand National but was in top form this time last year when winning twice, including in a Cheltenham handicap. The ground should be in his favour and he has an encouraging record when ridden by Hughes.

Spotlight comment: Well behind Win My Wings in the Eider, then unseated rider at The Chair in the Grand National; hard to be certain he's in top form but the booking of Brian Hughes looks a plus; 2-3 under this rider.

'He's inspirational' - McCoy and Walsh lead tributes to new champ Brian Hughes

Presentandcounting

4.40 Sandown: bet365 Josh Gifford Novices' Handicap Chase, 2m4f

Odds: 7-1

Hughes's best chance could come in the penultimate race of the afternoon. Presentandcounting completed a four-timer earlier in the campaign but after a defeat and fall in his last two starts, he is down to what could be a nice mark of 141.

Spotlight comment:Perhaps held but was running well when falling two out at Ayr in the race won by Beakstown and that was his first run since October; prolific earlier in the season with five wins (2m3f-2m5f, good) and he's on a competitive mark.

Beyond The Clouds

5.15 Sandown: bet365 Handicap Hurdle, 2m4f

Odds: 28-1

Beyond The Clouds returns after a 189-day absence but he had an excellent summer in 2021, winning three times including on his reappearance and he will enjoy the quick ground. Those wins came when a novice chaser but he reverts to hurdles here, over which he has a record of four wins from seven starts.

Spotlight comment:Likes good ground and this multiple winner was running well over fences back in the autumn, last time at Market Rasen chasing home the very smart Stolen Silver off 1lb higher; with a strike-rate of 4-7 over hurdles, he needs respecting.

Saturday's race previews . . .

1.50 Sandown: 'He's going the right way' - key quotes and analysis for novices' hurdle final

2.05 Haydock: Can progressive Alrehb complete a hat-trick on his first start on turf?

2.25 Sandown: Does classy novice Erne River have what it takes to down his older rivals?

3.00 Sandown: 'It's very important' - Skelton hoping for Grade 1 breakthrough with Nube Negra

3.32 Sandown: 'I can't split them' - Christian Williams on his exciting bet365 Gold Cup trio

Bet365 Gold Cup analysis: 'Go go go - she might just put the pedal to the metal when the lights are out' (£)

4.46 Navan: Dual Irish St Leger star Search For A Song makes comeback in Vintage Crop