Examining the veterans ready to shine in Sandown's big betting race this weekend

One of racing's star veterans Vieux Lion Rouge was retired on Monday, but a possible 17 golden oldies have the chance to steal the show in the Unibet-backed Veterans' Chase Series Final (3.00) at Sandown on Saturday.

The race has become a real fans' favourite since its inception in 2016, with the likes of Buywise, Houblon Des Obeaux and Seeyouatmidnight on the roll of honour. Here's the lowdown on this season's entries.

These battle-hardened old warriors have contested a staggering 521 races between them – 90 of those were winning efforts, and they've accumulated more than £1.7 million in prize-money.

The Richard Hobson-trained Valadom stands tall in this field having contested 56 races during a career which began in August 2012 in a 1m4f bumper at French provincial racecourse Moulins.

The classiest potential runner is undoubtedly Aso. Venetia Williams has improving youngster L'Homme Presse and Royale Pagaille making waves, but Aso has been her flagbearer for nearly eight years.

The 12-year-old showed his appetite for racing is not lost when second to fellow chasing stalwart Blaklion at Haydock last month.

Aso, whose career highlight came when a shock second to Frodon in the 2019 Ryanair Chase, has covered in excess of 100 miles in his races, earned £383,794 in prize-money and is the contest's joint-most winning horse on nine victories with Final Nudge.

Aso (left): finished second in the 2019 Ryanair ChaseCredit: Edward Whitaker

Aso has also won a competitive Grade 3 handicap chase at Cheltenham and a Grade 2 hurdle under Liam Treadwell in 2015. He was even deemed good enough to run in last season's Gold Cup.

Saturday's field could also feature a Welsh Grand National winner in Potters Corner, who gave Christian Williams and Jack Tudor a famous victory in their country's biggest race in 2019.

Rolling Dylan ran some brave races in defeat in handicaps and over the cross-country course at Cheltenham in his pomp for Philip Hobbs and landed multiple point-to-points last summer for Laura Parker.

Now back with Hobbs, the 11-year-old will be hoping to make it third time lucky under rules this season after two seconds, including chasing home Wishing And Hoping, a fellow prolific pointer, at Aintree.

3.00 Sandown Saturday: Veterans' Chase Series Final entries

Trained by Mel Rowley, Wishing And Hoping contested the Grade 2 Many Clouds Chase at the same track after that impressive performance and although pulled up by regular rider Alex Edwards, it shows the level of ability the Rowley team believe the former Alan King-trained hurdler retains.

Wandrin Star won the ninth leg of this series over course-and-distance for Kim Bailey back in November and along with the David Dennis-trained Indy Five brings some of the most recent winning form to the race.

Last season's third Sir Ivan and 2021 Grimthorpe winner Red Infantry could add even more interest to this competitive and always popular contest.

The facts: what have these veterans achieved?

Races contested:521
Races won:90
Prize-money earned:£1,722,125
Highest earner:Aso (£383,794)
Winningmost horses:Aso and Final Nudge (nine)
Most races contested:Valadom (56)
Highest Racing Post Rating:Aso (169)
Welsh Grand National winner:Potters Corner (2019)

Veterans' Chase Series Final winners

2021 Seeyouatmidnight
2020 Jepeck
2019 Houblon Des Obeaux
2018 Buywise
2017 Pete The Feat
2016 Soll

Read more:

'Horse of a lifetime' – National fences record-holder Vieux Lion Rouge retired

Fighting Fifth hero Not So Sleepy to head straight to Champion Hurdle

What's on this week: Hurdling debut of the joint-most expensive pointer ever leads into the Tolworth

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