Horse Racing Betting Tips: Rose to prove a thorn in his rivals’ side
A UNIVERSAL success is the only way that the Veterans’ Chase Series can be described since it was launched in 2015.
It has revitalised the programme for older horses and tomorrow sees the fourth running of the Final (3.00pm) at Sandown, with a staggering £100,000 in prize money up for grabs.
The roof of Sandown’s grandstand will be blown off if Charlie Longsdon’s evergreen 15-year-old Pete The Feat passes the winning post in front.
He won this race in 2017 before finishing a brave second to the enigmatic Buywise 12 months ago.
You certainly couldn’t rule him out off just a 2lb higher mark and he ran well behind Mendip Express to finish third here last month.
I just wonder if one or two with (slightly) younger legs might have his measure tomorrow.
My main selection is David Pipe’s RATHLIN ROSE who has some excellent form at Sandown and only turned 11 a few days ago.
This is the first season he can run in these races and it was an eye-catching effort when he was fourth on his reappearance here back in November.
The handicapper was kind enough to drop him 2lbs for that run, so he lines up here off a mark of 130 which looks very fair based on his past exploits.
His form figures over course and distance read 42111 and off 10st 12lbs he looks a great each-way bet at 10/1 with Coral.
LOOSE CHIPS is another Sandown specialist who must go on the shortlist.
Pete The Feat’s stablemate nearly always runs well at the Esher track and bolted up by 11 lengths in the aforementioned November race where Rathlin Rose finished fourth.
The 8lb rise he got for that display will make things tougher tomorrow, although he’s still 2lbs lower than when fifth in last year’s Final and 1lb lower than when third in the 2017 renewal.
Slightly better ground will suit, while 3lb claimer Paul O’Brien gets on well with him. He looks a decent each-way price at 12/1 with Ladbrokes.
Lucy Wadham’s string are in fine form at the moment and her LE REVE is yet another contender who has shown his best form at Sandown.
Admittedly, the 11-year-old’s last two efforts at the course have been disappointing, but they were in the deeply competitive 2016 and 2017 runnings of the Bet365 Gold Cup.
In four previous starts over course and distance he has won three and finished second on the other occasion, so it’s clearly a track that suits.
Following an absence of 571 days after an injury, he reappeared this season to finish third of three at Warwick in November.
That was a qualifier for this and the handicapper now has him 11lb lower than before his injury.
He is clearly very well-handicapped and if he has come on for his last run he should go very well at 10/1 with Coral.
As ever, this is a wide open race with practically all of the 17 runners holding a chance.
Dr Richard Newland’s Rock Gone is one of the younger brigade and looks like going off favourite.
He’s undoubtedly one of the least exposed following only six chase starts and he ran well to finish second to Loose Chips here in November.
The fact he’s only ran six times over fences suggests he’s pretty fragile and I’m willing to take him on at the prices.
Venetia Williams, who saddles Houblon Des Obeaux and Tenor Nivernais, is on fire at the moment but both of her two runners would prefer slightly softer ground.
Henllan Harri was in great form in the summer but is making his first start of the winter campaign, while Bishops Road has to bounce back from an early unseat in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle last time.
The final word has to go to Buywise, as on his day he could easily take this.
He has shown nothing since taking the prize 12 months ago, although at least that means he runs off the same mark.
BILL ESDAILE’S VETERANS’ FINAL 1-2-3
1 RATHLIN ROSE
2 LE REVE
3 LOOSE CHIPS