UN DE SCEAUX can ensure the race for the trainers' title goes right down to the wire by winning the bet365 Celebration Chase at Sandown for Willie Mullins.

Whereas Mullins' title rival Paul Nicholls understandably fields three of the six runners in an attempt to mop up as much prize money as he can, the Irish handler relies on just one of his superstars.

However, it is far from a Mullins v Nicholls affair as they both have to come up against arguably the most popular horse in training, Sprinter Sacre.

Nicky Henderson was having palpitations earlier in the week when he heard the taps had been turned on at Sandown, but with the sun shining brightly since, Sprinter Sacre should have the good ground he craves.

While connections of Un De Sceaux blamed the first defeat of his career – when he has not fallen – on the quickish ground at Cheltenham, his jumping could prove his key asset here.

Watching Un De Sceaux tackle the Railway Fences should be a sight to behold and with no Special Tiara hassling him for the lead as he was in the Champion Chase, he should be out in splendid isolation.

Throw in the fact that Henderson moved heaven and earth to prepare Sprinter Sacre perfectly for just one day in March, there is a possibility he may arrive here over the top.

Un De Sceaux has had a light campaign and his younger legs should have a bit more life in them.

The bet365 Gold Cup can go to The Young Master.

Still only seven, he showed he was capable off his current handicap mark when third at Cheltenham behind two Grade One horses in Un Temps Pour Tout and Holywell.

He shaped that day as if he really wanted this stamina test and there are plenty of reasons to think he much prefers going right-handed.

There are plenty of dangers, as ever in a race of this nature, but The Young Master has had a light campaign and he can give his promising handler one of the biggest wins of his career.

There's valuable action at Ripon where Ralph Beckett appears to have found a winnable opportunity for Master Of Irony in the RiponBET Place6 Lucky Dip Handicap.

An impressive winner at Doncaster in June, he was doing his best work at the finish behind the classy My Dream Boat at York on his next outing.

Beckett started him off in the Spring Mile back at Doncaster, but the ground was like a glue-pot and he was drawn out on a wing, so it is easy to put a line through that.

He has been dropped 1lb, races in a much less competitive race and and wears a first-time visor, so he has plenty going for him.

Mitchum Swagger can claim the scalp of Home Of The Brave in the toteScoop6 EBF Stallions King Richard III Stakes at Leicester.

David Lanigan's lightly-raced four-year-old did not run at two and won his first two starts last season.

He lost little in defeat when second in his next two races, when he was mugged close home by Express Himself at Haydock and headed in the final strides against Big Baz in a Listed race at Newmarket.

With another winter to grow and strengthen, his ability to handle cut in the ground tips things in his favour with Home Of The Brave showing his liking for a fast surface.

Markaz, Here Comes When and White Lake add plenty of strength in depth, but Lanigan is talking of a tilt at the Lockinge.

Glen Moss performed with plenty of credit on his reappearance at Doncaster in Listed company and should not be far away in the ApolloBet Daily Racing Refunds Handicap at Haydock.

He was only two and a half lengths behind Mobsta in the Cammidge Trophy over six furlongs, doing his best work at the finish, so the drop in class and step up in trip should help.

There was a racecourse whisper for Charlie Hills' Mahfooz when he made his debut at Doncaster and with that under his belt, he should be the one to beat in Wolverhampton's Ladies Evening On Friday 19th August Maiden Stakes.

At Doncaster, Chelsea Lad is the pick in the Black And Veatch Handicap.

SELECTIONS

DONCASTER: 5.00 Free Bounty, 5.35 Petrucci, 6.05 Morning Suit, 6.35 Azizaan, 7.05 Chelsea Lad, 7.35 Azagal, 8.05 Mustaqbal.

HAYDOCK: 1.40 Daphne, 2.10 Glen Moss, 2.45 Fadillah, 3.20 Wilde Inspiration, 3.55 Midnight Macchiato, 4.30 Chosen Character, 5.05 Zaria, 5.40 Higher Power.

LEICESTER: 2.15 Syrian Pearl, 2.50 Rapid Rise, 3.25 Hereawi, 4.00 Mitchum Swagger, 4.35 Bingo George, 5.10 Uae Prince, 5.45 Scent of Power.

RIPON: 2.05 Shadow Wing, 2.40 Mirsaale, 3.15 Master Of Irony, 3.50 Kimberella, 4.25 Notarised, 4.55 Victory Bond, 5.30 Early Bird.

SANDOWN: 2.20 Wolf Of Windlesham, 3.00 Valseur Lido, 3.35 UN DE SCEAUX (NAP), 4.10 The Young Master, 4.45 Vroum Vroum Mag, 5.20 Junction Fourteen, 5.55 Close Touch.

WOLVERHAMPTON: 6.20 Tavener, 6.50 Lacey, 7.20 Stocking, 7.50 Mahfooz, 8.20 Niblawi, 8.50 Sixties Groove, 9.20 Frantical.

DOUBLE: Un De Sceaux and Mitchum Swagger.