Hamiltons hoping for a big Celebration on first trip to Sandown with Nuts Well

Nuts Well is set to break new ground for his small Northumberland yard with a crack at the bet365 Celebration Chase on Saturday, when connections will make their first visit to Sandown.

The ten-year-old has already done husband and wife team Ian and Ann Hamilton proud this season, beating Aye Right at Kelso, then winning the Grade 2 Old Roan Chase at Aintree.

The flagbearer for a six-strong string based about 20 miles north-west of Newcastle, Nuts Well was badly hampered before the second-last fence when runner-up behind Fakir D'Oudairies in the Grade 1 Marsh Chase on his return to Aintree last week.

Watch Nuts Well's unlucky run at Aintree

And he is primed for another crack in top-level company on the last day of the 2020-21 season, when dual Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Altior is among his likely opponents.

"I don’t think he would have won at Aintree but he would have finished a lot closer," Ian Hamilton said.

"He's come out of the race well and he's fresh, having only had one run since October.

"We don’t really want to send him over to Punchestown to take on all the top Irish horses – they're probably not going to be at Sandown and the ground will suit him there."

There was another big moment for the yard at Ayr on Sunday when Tommy's Oscar claimed third in the Grade 2 Scottish Champion Hurdle under Danny McMenamin.

McMenamin, who is Nuts Well's regular partner, is set to be crowned champion conditional jockey on Saturday.

The rider has won five races on the ten-year-old, and had ridden 44 winners in 2020-21 before racing on Sunday and was 14 winners clear of his nearest rival.

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