Celebration Chase: Henderson eyeing Sandown Celebration

Nicky Henderson could land the Celebration Chase.

Nicky Henderson is aiming to end his championship-winning season with a bang by saddling three runners in Saturday's Celebration Chase at Sandown...

Henderson has been chasing Paul Nicholls in vain in recent years but the strength in depth at his disposal these days is perhaps clearly illustrated in this Grade Two event.

Former Queen Mother Champion chaser Finian's Rainbow aims to end a disappointing season on a high, while Henderson also fields good-ground specialist French Opera, who won this race two years ago, and smart handicapper Tanks For That.

Finian's Rainbow has struggled in bad ground all year and while a breathing operation is imminent, Henderson is happy to let him have one more chance on good ground.

"Finian's is going to need to have things done in the summer, but it made sense to give him one more run. French Opera will love it there," said Henderson.

Gary Moore runs one of the least exposed members of the field in Sire De Grugy.

Fourth in Grade One company at Aintree behind Special Tiara, he enjoyed a confidence-boosting win at Stratford last week.

"I was surprised by how well he handled the ground at Stratford as really he's a soft ground horse," said Moore.

"It's a tall order and with the ground against him, he's not going to have it easy.

"He'll have to run in some nice races next year but if he runs well in this, he'll be up against Sprinter Sacre and he'll have no chance in those races."

Colin Tizzard's Oiseau De Nuit rolled back the years to win at Aintree last time out and his handler believes he is thriving, despite now being an 11-year-old.

"Everything looks right for him tomorrow. The ground is in his favour, but we've run him in this a few times and never won it.

"He looks the best he's ever been now. We've been dragging him round in the mud all season but he finally got his ground at Aintree and he sprouted wings.

"Horses can't run to their best all the time, especially at the end of a hard season, so while the ratings might say one thing, they sometimes go out of the window.

"He's come in his coat and looks fantastic. He's in really good nick."

Tataniano looked a very promising chaser a few years back for Paul Nicholls but injury hampered his progress.

He is now with Richard Rowe, who was fairly pleased with his first run for the yard against Sprinter Sacre in the Queen Mother.

"I'm delighted that the ground has come right for him," said Rowe.

"He had his first run for me against Sprinter Sacre and he didn't run at all badly.

"I've been very happy with him since and he looks a lot better now.

"He'd have a chance on his best form as he's a spring horse."

Nicholls runs two himself, last year's winner Sanctuaire and Toubab.

"Sanctuaire is in good shape and if he's in the same form as last year he'd have a chance, but he's an in-and-out performer," said Nicholls.

"We just never really know which Sanctuaire will turn up.

"With Toubab, I've always thought he had a nice race in him but if he runs like he did at Aintree (behind Oiseau De Nuit), he'd have no chance.

"Everything has to go his way but he's won at the course, will like the ground and the sun is shining so you never know."

Punchestown Race Cards only 2 at timeform.com!