Battle of the veterans: analysis and key quotes for Sandown's big final

3.00 Sandown
Unibet Veterans' Handicap Chase (The Final Of The 2020 Veterans' Chase Series) | 3m | 10yo+ | ITV4/RTV

One of jump racing's biggest draws is that fans are given the opportunity to become attached to horses over a number of years. Unlike the Flat, in which star juveniles and three-year-olds often race on no more than ten occasions, certain equine jumpers seem to perform for an eternity.

The inauguration of the Veterans' Chase Series in 2014 allowed a number of old-timers the chance to win a healthy pot before bowing out and this final, often considered one of the highlights of the season, seldom fails to bring a tear to the eye.

Regal Flow and Theatre Guide, now both at the ripe age of 14, finished second and third in this race last year and are back again to try to reverse the form with 2020 winner Jepeck, who is relatively lightly raced in the context of this race and is able to compete off the same mark of 132.

It wouldn't be a surprise if the one-two-three from last year returned in top form on their big day. For the likes of Regal Flow and Theatre Guide, this could be their last hurrah before retirement.

Although plenty in this field are on the downgrade, yet still capable of toughing it out with the best of their age group, topweight Minellacelebration, Crosspark and former pointer Late Romantic are the anomalies given they have all achieved career-best Racing Post Ratings this season.

Minellacelebration is especially interesting. Trainer Katy Price hasn't saddled a winner for 68 days but punches above her weight with her chasers, recording a 14 per cent strike-rate (23-160) and a £1 level-stakes profit of +£24.00 since she took out her licence. Compare that to her record with hurdlers (two per cent, 6-245) and bumper runners (three per cent, 1-29) and it's not hard to find her niche.

Largely seen at his best on good ground but also successful on soft, Minellacelebration won the Listed Summer Cup and leg eight of this series early in the campaign before jockey Ben Poste lost his irons and was unseated on the flat in the Becher last time.

Minellacelebration: unlucky at Aintree last timeCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Leg ten winner Potters Legend, who fended off the reopposing Theatre Guide, Strong Pursuit, Gold Present and Valtor at Warwick in November, deserves plenty of respect.

The last-named runner in that list could be a serious threat for trainer Nicky Henderson now that he has dropped down the handicap and returns to a right-handed track.
Race analysis by Tom Collins

What they say

Katy Price, trainer of Minellacelebration
It was a bit of a freak day at Aintree. We don't know what happened to him, but he was loose for a long time and the racecourse staff didn't know where he was and in the end I had to get in the car and found him down at Becher's Brook. We think he's okay and we'll try our best. It's only been a target since we qualified as it's a big-money race and the ground is drying up all the time, but he's never been to Sandown before and we don't want sticky ground under his big weight.

Caroline Bailey, trainer of Crosspark
He's come out of his last race well and he deserves another big-race victory. He has been incredibly consistent but unfortunately he's gone up another 3lb in the handicap, which isn't really going to help him, but that's the way it is. It would mean a lot if he could win it and he'll be doing his best, that's for sure.

Crosspark (left): has showed remarkable consistencyCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Sametegal
He hasn't run in a month as I wanted to freshen him up and he had a day's hunting the other day to sharpen him up. He's in good form.

Oliver Greenall, trainer of Late Romantic
Often the veteran horses are slightly past it and it’s hit and miss with them. With Late Romantic there’s still plenty of life about him. He needs a test on very soft ground or else he comes out of his comfort zone, so we possibly might go to Ayr instead, as it has dried up at Sandown and there are 16 runners.

Harry Fry, trainer of Sir Ivan
He's been running really well this season, but his consistency is probably his undoing in that he never moves too much in the handicap and he's off the same mark again. Lorcan Murtagh got on well with him at Leicester last time and retains the ride. It's a good prize for these veterans to go for without facing an unexposed, younger horse lurking among them.

Anthony Honeyball, trainer of Jepeck
He's got a little bit to prove on what he's done this season but he seems in good form at home. We put the tongue-tie and cheekpieces on for this run and he seems perfectly effective with those on at home. All the signs from our end are good, so now he's just got to prove it. We're very hopeful of a good run.
Reporting by Matt Rennie

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