Saturday’s cards at Sandown and Wincanton both feature Unibet Veterans’ races, with the Unibet Veterans’ Handicap Chase Series’ Final over a distance of three miles at the Esher course, whilst in Somerset there is the Unibet Middle Distance Veterans’ Handicap Chase (Unibet Middle Distance Veterans’ Chase Qualifier) over two miles four furlongs, with the final taking place at Haydock on April 19th.
The introduction of the veterans’ chases for horses aged ten-years + has been a great and popular initiative with the racing industry as well as racegoers. I am a massive fan, and it has been so positive the way this has developed over the years.
After a fabulous festive period of racing I’m looking forward to being at Sandown tomorrow.
Enjoy whether at Sandown or Wincanton or watching #athome on ITV Racing and Racing TV.
Happy New Year.
Cheers
The Wine Tipster.
2.25 Sandown – Try Unibet’s New Smartview Racecards Mares’ Hurdle (Listed) (2m 4f)
Della Casa Lunga (nap) was an easy winner at Kempton over Christmas, looking really well beforehand. She was handed an easy lead there but found plenty after the last when tackled, and as long as she can take two races relatively quickly, this mare who races with so enthusiastically at Kempton looks head and shoulders above the opposition here.
2.40 Wincanton – Unibet Middle Distance Veterans’ Handicap Chase (Unibet Middle Distance Veterans’ Chase Qualifier) (2m 4f)
Stormy Flight bounced right back to form when beaten only a neck at Exeter by Lowry’s Bar, who then followed up at Chepstow’s Welsh Grand National meeting. Stormy Flight was a 25/1 shot having finished unplaced at Chepstow on seasonal debut, although it is important to note that he had been prominent throughout until being hampered by a faller five out. He won twice last season and has a consistent record at Wincanton so expect a good run.
3.00 Sandown – Unibet Veterans’ Handicap Chase Series Final (3m)
Sam Brown ran a belter on seasonal debut when third at 25/1 to The Real Whacker in the Charlie Hall only then to never be travelling in the big handicap chase at Newbury when finishing unplaced.
Last season he won the Unibet Veterans’ Chase Series Final at Warwick when rerouted from Sandown and he then won at Ascot in March ahead of a good second at Aintree. Sam Brown finished the season when a staying on sixth in the big handicap over 3m 4½f on his first appearance at the Esher course, however around this trip of three miles is where he has shown himself to be most effective and if showing the same enthusiasm as he did at Wetherby he has a strong chance with ten pounds being taken off his back by claimer Chad Bament. It is worth noting that another teenager Wishing And Hoping won this final in 2023 at Sandown.
Smarty Wild was pulled up at Haydock after three out when racing in rear on his first start for 23 months when given a considerate ride. Back in the 2022/23 season he finished 232 before his break and has to be an interesting each way contender.
3.35 Sandown – Free Bet With Unibet’s Betbuilder Rebound Handicap Hurdle (2m)
Jour d’Evasion was second to Ooh Betty here two starts ago and that looks all the better after the winner went in again over Christmas at Kempton. Jour d’Evasion then stayed on all the way to the line at Wincanton to run Golden Move to a length on his latest start. He is going the right way this season and with that important Sandown experience will go close here.
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