Once the National Hunt season begins, it is easy to be excited by the runners at the peak of their powers and the most talented up-and-coming youngsters. But what about the old-timers? Those horses who return year after year to display their talents over hurdles and fences – each season a little older and a little slower, but still, they show up for our entertainment.
Happily, the old-timers are anything but forgotten and even have several valuable contests exclusively to themselves. This weekend, one of the most high-profile veteran series concludes at Sandown with the 2025 edition of the Unibet Veterans’ Handicap Chase.
Restricted to runners aged 10 and over and held over 3m, the 2025 edition of this £100,000 event has attracted a collection of hugely popular National Hunt stars.
Copper Goes for Gold
A pair of Joe Tizzard runners sit atop the market, headed by the 11-year-old Copperhead. Rated as high as 155 in his pomp, his finest hour came when landing the 2020 edition of the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase by a resounding 17 lengths. Never out of the first two in four starts this season, including wins at Chepstow and Aintree, it’s easy to see why punters have latched onto his claims.
Eldorado on the Road Back
Hitting a peak rating of 166 in March 2022, fellow Tizzard runner Eldorado Allen was the most talented of the nine remaining entries in his prime. Second in the 2021 Arkle Challenge Trophy and 2022 Betfair Chase, he never quite managed to get his head in front in Grade 1 company. However, he did score three times at Grade 2 level. Having achieved little during a 2023/24 season which culminated in a 20th-placed effort in the Grand National, he has shown improvement following wind surgery over the summer. Catching the eye when staying on for third over 2m4½f at Cheltenham in December, this step-up in trip may be in his favour.
Brown Returns to Defend His Crown
At 11 years of age, Copperhead and Eldorado Allen are relative spring chickens compared to the Anthony Honeyball-trained Sam Brown. Now 13 years old, this admirable veteran has served his yard with distinction since he debuted in 2017. A winner in bumpers, over hurdles, and in the chasing sphere, his peak effort saw him land a Grade 2 at Haydock by fully 20 lengths in 2020. He was 2¾l too good for the field in the 2024 edition of this and returns to defend his title off a 6lb higher mark.
Steel to Strike?
Having teamed up to claim the 2021 edition of this with Seeyouatmidnight, Sandy Thompson and Ryan Mania bid for a second success with the 11-year-old Empire Steel. Whilst never reaching a rating to match that of Copperhead or Eldorado Allen, this likeable grey registered his biggest win more recently when claiming the Listed Premier Chase at Kelso in 2023. That effort continued a love affair with his local course, where he has picked up four of his six career wins. Third in a qualifying contest at Haydock in December, he heads even further south for the finale.
Victory for Venetia?
Commonly associated with the staying chase division, Venetia Williams has lent strong support to the Veterans’ Series. The Herefordshire handler has saddled a runner in every edition of this event since the inaugural 2016 edition. Flying the flag for Williams this year is the only Grade 1 winner in the lineup, Chambard. That top-level triumph came back in 2016 in the rather different surroundings of a 1m4f flat event in France. However, the old timer showed the fire still burned when claiming the 2023 Becher Chase by a resounding 13l. Four starts since have offered little encouragement, but the 13-year-old may have one more big day in him before heading off into the sunset.
Remaining Contenders
Others to note in what promises to be a competitive renewal include the well-fancied Ask Me Early from the Harry Fry operation, David Pipe’s Grade 2 winner, Remastered, and the slow but stamina-laden Fortescue from the yard of Henry Daly.
The 3:00 at Sandown may not be your usual Saturday highlight, but remains a hit with trainers, jockeys, and fans. Tune in to cheer on these warriors of the turf as they lay it all on the line yet again.