'She's got a nice opening mark' - who is confident of a bold showing in a competitive two-mile handicap?

It was a shame that Sandown's Veterans' Final meeting fell foul of the weather in 2024, as this two-mile handicap hurdle often throws up a good horse or two.

Three of the past eight winners, Rayvin Black (2016), Call Me Lord (2018) and Guard Your Dreams (2021), picked up a Grade 2 later that year, while the 2023 running unearthed Iceo and Djelo.

Iceo sauntered clear in the track's Imperial Cup two months later, and Djelo is now a 160-rated chaser with possible Ryanair ambitions. The fact the winner that day, Hardy Du Seuil, dealt with such high-calibre horses bodes well for his repeat attempt here.

While Hardy Du Seuil is winless since, he has largely held his form, and he is entitled to step forward from his return second at Carlisle. This is a logical aim on ground he enjoys.

You sense Dan Skelton is happy with Honky Tonk Highway's opening mark of 119, given she runs here rather than the Listed mares' race earlier on the card. This talented mare beat the highly regarded Diva Luna in a point-to-point before winning a Listed bumper at this track on her stable debut last March. The stiffness of Sandown clearly suits, as she preserved her unbeaten course record with another Listed success last month. However, that novice hurdle was weak for the grade and this distance may catch her out against pure two-milers. 

Jour D'Evasion has finished second in his two handicaps (one here) for the bang-in-form Henry Daly, while handicap debutant Oh My Johnny should be seeking a hat-trick, having fallen at the last when clear at Bangor two starts ago.

It also takes a fast horse to land the Gerry Feilden, and Navajo Indy took that in great style on his handicap debut when last seen. With subsequent successes from the seventh, ninth, 11th and 12th from Newbury, that form demands respect.
Analysis by Robbie Wilders

Play it again Sam

Sam Twiston-Davies won this four years ago on Guard Your Dreams for his father Nigel but goes in opposition to that outfit on Henry Daly's luckless Jour D'Evasion, who has been runner-up on his last two starts.

The six-year-old, who unseated at the first on his comeback at Ascot, was then second to Ooh Betty over course and distance before being denied by just a length at Wincanton last time.

Daly said: "I'm hopeful of a big run. He has been penalised by the handicapper for his consistency, but that's the way it goes. He likes Sandown, acts well on soft going and has a low weight."

What they say

Robert Walford, trainer of Aurigny Mill
He didn't run very well last time but won well before that, so if he puts his best foot forward he would have a chance. Our horses are running well at the moment.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Joyeux Machin and Honky Tonk Highway
I think the handicapper has Joyeux Machin too high, to be honest, but this being more of a stamina test will suit him nicely. Honky Tonk Highway won at the track in a Listed race last time out. She's got a nice opening mark of 119, and hopefully she's got a real chance here.

Jamie Snowden, trainer of Hardy Du Seuil
Last season fell apart a bit, but we found he had a kissing spine, which we treated him for in the summer. I thought he made a nice comeback at Carlisle at the start of last month and this has been the plan. He goes well on soft ground and around Sandown.

Tom Symonds, trainer of Navajo Indy
He's been in good form since his win in the Gerry Feilden, and we avoided bigger targets to wait for this. He's up in the handicap, but the soft ground should suit him and he goes there with a strong chance.

Willy Twiston-Davies, assistant to Nigel, trainer of Spirits Bay
He ran very well to be fifth on his comeback at Cheltenham and he has come on from that. We expect a big run from him.

Philip Hobbs, joint-trainer of Oh My Johnny
He looks progressive. The Skelton horse won a Listed race last time, but our horse is still improving, so he might still have a reasonable handicap mark.
Reporting by David Milnes

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'This has been the plan for a long time' - trainers on their contenders for the £100,000 Veterans' Final 

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