15:00 Sandown

Saturday 8 January 2022

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Unibet Veterans' Handicap Chase (Final Of The 2021 Veterans Chase Series)

Off time: 15:02 | Winning time: 7m 0.9s

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Selected odds by:

Aso³⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 149| BF

7/2

Smart chaser who hasn't scored for a while but stepped up on return in Paddy Power Gold Cup when second behind resurgent Blaklion in veterans' event at Haydock (25.5f) last month. Big player.

Form: 2285-02

Sir Ivan^p,t⁵²

Age: 12| Weight: 11-3| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 140| D

22/1

Sound third in this race 12 months ago and ended the campaign with success at Newbury (26f) in March. Respectable efforts since, fourth in 3m veterans' event at Warwick in November. Can go well again.

Form: 231-344

Wandrin Star^t⁶²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-2| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 139| CD

10/1

Has long since boasted a fine record fresh and enhanced that when landing a leg of this series over C&D in November (following a wind op). However, whether he will back that up is open to question.

Form: 89/26P-1

Final Nudge^t⁵²

Age: 13| Weight: 11-0| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 137| D

10/3

Very lightly raced in recent years but ran a cracker when third in Midlands National in March and matched that to land a veterans' event on return at Warwick (3m) in November. Expected to feature.

Form: P81/53-1

The Kings Writ^t³⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 10-10| J: Mr Joshua Newman⁽⁷⁾| T: K Woollacott| OR: 133| D

9/1

Winless since 2018 but ran well on a couple of times from higher marks in staying handicaps last term. Highly likely last month's Exeter return (19.2f) was needed and step back up in trip a plus.

Form: 37263-5

Gwencily Berbas^p,t³⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 10-9| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 132

8/1

Consistent upon joining present yard this spring and relished first crack at a marathon to end losing run at Exeter (30.7f) last month. Will need to keep the errors to a minimum again here, though.

Form: 97-3231

Dashing Perk³⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 10-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 130| C| D

18/1

Course winner who went close on a couple of occasions last term and shaped better than being pulled up suggests at Haydock (25.5f) in December (still in touch 4 out). Still, yet to win over this far.

Form: 42P3F-P

Prime Venture^p³⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 10-7| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 130| D

18/1

Cosy winner of a 3-runner Sedgefield handicap on return last season prior to finishing fifth in the Welsh National. Not returned in much form though, pulled up in Haydock veterans' event last month.

Form: P/150-8P

Rolling Dylan^p³⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 10-5| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 128| D

14/1

Winless since 2018 but proved he retains plenty of ability in a couple of runs this winter, runner-up in a C&D amateurs chase last month. However, others appeal more for win purposes.

Form: 142122

Psychedelic Rock^p³⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 10-5| J: C J Todd⁽³⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 128| D

66/1

Thrived in the spring, winning 3 times over fences, latterly at Kempton (3m) in May. Not in same form in Summer Cup but likely return at Haydock (25.5f) last month was needed. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 1F1-18P

Valadom^p,t³⁶

Age: 13| Weight: 10-5| J: Lily Pinchin⁽⁵⁾| T: R Hobson| OR: 128| D

22/1

Resumed winning ways at Newcastle (20f) last winter and signed off with pair of placed efforts at Newbury. Bad mistake never aided his cause when third on C&D return in December and not discounted.

Form: 51322-3

Indy Five²⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 10-0| J: G Sheehan| T: David Dennis| OR: 122| D

7/1

Useful chaser at his peak who benefited from return to positive tactics when running out 5-length winner of a Doncaster veterans' event (3m) last month. 8 lb higher now but clearly back in good heart.

Form: 4/23-651

Dancing Shadow^b³⁶

Age: 13| Weight: 10-0| J: Alan Johns| T: V R A Dartnall| OR: 121

22/1

Returned in good heart, keeping on for second in a C&D veterans' event prior to a good fourth from the front behind Gwencily Berbas at Exeter (30.7f) in December. Should give another good account.

Form: 36U-324

Forecasts

Final Nudge (10/3), Aso (7/2), Indy Five (7/1), Gwencily Berbas (8/1), The Kings Writ (9/1), Wandrin Star (10/1), Rolling Dylan (14/1), Prime Venture (18/1), Dashing Perk (18/1), Sir Ivan (22/1), Valadom (22/1), Dancing Shadow (22/1), Psychedelic Rock (66/1)

A tremendous servant to connections, ASO found things coming easier to him having a first foray into veterans' company when beaten only by a resurgent Blaklion (won easily again since) at Haydock early last month and he may well be up to conceding weight all round at this slightly shorter trip. Warwick-scorer Final Nudge rates next best, ahead of The Kings Writ and last year's third Sir Ivan.