Friday tips: Dave Nevison's three best bets at Sandown

Ostend didn’t show any form on very soft ground when he was trained in Ireland, and it looks very possible the ground offers an explanation for his disappointing effort when pulled up at Uttoxeter last time out.

He has dropped 9lb in the handicap from a career-high rating of 126 (over hurdles) to a rating of 117 over fences, and his seventh in a hot race at Bangor two starts ago suggests he does have a future over larger obstacles. 

He might be worth a look at double-figure odds in the weakest handicap he has contested here.

Dominic’s Fault has had several entries recently, and was a late non-runner when I tipped him up at the weekend. Hopefully connections are picking their moment for this well-handicapped eight-year-old to score, rather than there being an intermittent problem. 

The selection should have won both of his past two starts this season as he was unlucky to be second at Carlisle in October, but made amends in efficient fashion last time out at Lingfield when scoring by six lengths. 

He is lightly raced and could still have improvement in him, despite his age, and is obviously in excellent, and very much in form, hands.

Authentic Legacy is a maiden in both bumpers and as a novice hurdler, but has contested some decent races, and is capable of winning a race or two. 

Last time out over this course and distance he was backed into 11-8 favourite in a small but competitive field (his handicap debut), and travelled like the winner for much of the way. 

He ended up finishing third, but wasn’t disgraced, and it is possible this slightly easier ground might help him get home. Freddie Mitchell taking over also means he has a valuable 5lb off his back, too.