The Unibet Veterans’ series is a terrific incentive for older chasers. It gives them the opportunity to keep on earning their keep by running against contemporaries. Many of these old boys just like to race so retirement to a paddock isn’t really an exciting option and, of course, places still have to be found for them to live out their twilight years in safety and comfort.
The series, worth £400,000 in total, was programmed by the BHA to generate opportunities for 10–year-old-plus chasers who may have found winning opportunities limited in other valuable races. Each of the 10 qualifying races have a minimum total prize fund of £30,000 with this Saturday’s final offering £100,000 in prize money. Any horse that takes part in one of the qualifying races is eligible to run in the Final, run over just over 3m at Sandown on the first weekend of the New Year.
The Veterans’ series hasn’t been going long enough to establish any strong trends but trainer Charlie Longsdon likes to have a runner of two in the final and has won a few of the qualifiers over the last three years. The remarkable 15-year-old Pete The Feat (a general 14/1) won in 2017 and was second last year to Buywise (also a best 14/1), who can race of the same mark. Stablemate Loose Chips (a general 12/1) was fifth last year and third in 2017 and both should go well.
The general 20/1 for Theatre Guide might be generous as Colin Tizzard’s 12-year-old was placing in a Grade 3 off a 16lb higher mark less than two years ago and was third off an even higher mark in Listed company last season. Unfortunately, like most of these, he’s not as good as he once was.
Tizzard is one of five trainers who have more than one runner in the 17-strong line-up. Richard Newland is another and the good doctor has the ante-post favourite in Rock Gone (a general 7/1), who was second to Loose Chips in a qualifier at Sandown in November. But you can tie yourself in knots trying to untangle the form from the 10 qualifiers and I’d rather rely on those who have shown form on the track and going previously.
Le Reve definitely goes on the short-list after blowing away a few cobwebs at Warwick and is 10/1 with Coral, who offer similar odds about another course specialist in RATHLIN ROSE. Three-times a Sandown winner, Tom Scudamore’s mount looks to have prepared with this in mind. David Pipe sent out Soll to win the inaugural running of this in 2016 and his charge is very closely matched with the current favourite having had a similar preparation.
Kelso winner Cultram Abbey (12/1 with Ladbrokes) travels down from Cumbria with a chance and Henllan Harri (a best 11/1) enjoyed his finest hour here in 2017 when winning the bet365 Gold Cup, though an absence since July has to be a concern and he is better on a faster surface.
Unibet Veterans’ Handicap Chase Final Current Best Odds
Rock Gone 7/1, Le Reve and Rathlin Rose 10/1, Henllan Harri 11/1, Bishops Road, Cultram Abbey and Loose Chips 12/1, Buywise, Exitas and Pete The Feat 14/1, Band Of Blood, On Tour , Kings Lad and Tenor Nivernais 16/1, Houblon Des Obeaux and Theatre Guide 20/1, Halo Moon 25/1
(Odds correct at 4.30pm January 3)
