Three bets at Sandown tomorrow

The Unibet Veterans’ Handicap Chase at Sandown tomorrow (3 p.m.) is a fascinating contest with a first prize of more than £50,000. Any of the nine runners could win if performing to their best but, with the field aged between 11 and 13, most of them are now well past their prime.

Sam Brown and Eldorado Allen are the class acts in the field, even now officially rated at 153 and 149 respectively. Chambard is forecast to be the outsider of the field at odds of 20-1, but don’t forget it was only 14 months ago that he easily won the Boylesports Becher Handicap Chase on heavy ground at Aintree.

My preference, however, in this three-mile contest is for a horse from the in-form yard of Henry Daly, who has had four winners from just 14 runners in the past 14 days for a winning strike rate of 29 per cent. His runner, FORTESCUE, was a good staying chaser in his prime and still retains ability.

It’s a long time – four years to be precise – since he was able to run off an official mark of 130, he has winning form at Sandown and is a sound jumper for his usual jockey Hugh Nugent. Back Fortescue 1 point each way at 9-1 with Sky Bet, paying an attractive four places.

However, I can’t resist a second bet in this race on Scottish handler Sandy Thomson’s grey EMPIRE STEEL. Trainers are creatures of habit and Thomson won this veterans’ chase final in 2021 with his only previous runner, Seeyouatmidnight. I suspect this race has been Empire Steel’s target all season and his prep race at Haydock went well enough. Back him 1 point each at 13/2, also with SkyBet to take advantage of the four places.

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Harry Derham is another trainer with his string in top form: three winners from just eight runners in the past 14 days for a 38 per cent winning strike rate. I think his horse MONVIEL is a big price for the Try Unibet’s New Acca Boosts Seniors’ Handicap Hurdle at Sandown tomorrow (1.15 p.m.), especially if the forecast rain arrives in time to turn the ground even softer.

Put a line through his poor seasonal debut when he ‘bled from the nose’ (burst a blood vessel) at this course in November. He has been highly rated by his handler and this race for horses aged eight or more could be just what he needs at this stage of his career. Monviel is not 100 per cent reliable and certainly not one for the mortgage but back him 1 point each way at 16-1 with Paddy Power or Betfair, both paying three places.

Until now, I have not had any ante-post bets on the Cheltenham Festival in which William Hill is already betting Non Runner Money Back (NRMB), more commonly phrased as Non Runner No Bet (NRNB).

The Grade 1 Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle on the opening day (March 11) could be a red-hot contest if both Brighterdaysahead and/or Lossiemouth line up for the race. However, I suspect one or both will be aimed higher and will run in the Unibet Champion Hurdle on the same day even with Constitutional Hill to contend with.

As usual, Willie Mulllins will be strongly represented in the mares’ race and no doubt Gordon Elliott too. However, there was a lot to like about the seasonal debut of JULY FLOWER for Henry de Bromhead last weekend, winning a Grade 3 hurdle at Leopardstown in a very fast time to give Rachael Blackmore her first winner since returning from injury.

An expensive purchase from France, July Flower has plenty of scope to improve now that she has learnt to settle, especially as both quick jumping and stamina are among her strengths. It’s just possible she could be stepped up in trip and aimed at the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle but it is surely more likely she will run in the mares’ race over two miles and four furlongs.

July Flower seems to go on all ground so back her 1 point each way with Unibet at 11-1 for the mares’ race and hope that the big guns go for bigger targets on the opening day of the Festival.

Pending:

1 point each way Monviel at 16-1 for the Try Unibet’s New Acca Boosts Seniors’ Handicap Hurdle, paying 1/5 odds, 3 places.

1 point each way Fortescue at 9-1 for the Unibet Veterans’ Handicap Chase, paying 1/5^th odds, 4 places.

1 point each way Empire Steel at 13/2 for the Unibet Veterans’ Handicap Chase, paying 1/5^th odds, 4 places.

1 point each way July Flower at 11-1 for the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle paying 1/5th odds, 3 places.

Last weekend: + 8 points.

1 point each way Monbeg Genius at 20-1 for the Welsh Grand National, paying 1/4 odds, 4 places. 4^th. + 4 points.

1 point each way The Newest One at 18-1 for the Welsh Grand National, paying 1/5^th odds, 5 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.

1 point each way Desertmore House at 11-1 for the Paddy Power Chase, paying 1/5th odds, 7 places. Unplaced. – 2 points.

2 points win Henry’s Friend at 5-1 for the Mandarin Handicap Chase. 1^st. + 10 points.

2 points win Bill Joyce at 9-2 for the Challow Hurdle. 3^rd. – 2 points.

2024-5 jump season running total: – 18.3 points.