A stack of loveable old rogues are set to take their chance in the Veterans’ Chase Series Final at Sandown on Saturday.
The series has revitalised Copperhead‘s fortunes as he rattled off victories at Chepstow and Aintree in autumn before placing second at Sandown and Cheltenham to climb to an official rating of 133 – his highest since December 2022.
The 11-year-old finished four lengths ahead of the reopposing Eldorado Allen, a Grade 2 winner in his pomp, at the home of Jumps and is better off at the weights on this occasion as Freddie Gingell claims 3lbs.
Sam Brown, who became a teenager on New Year’s Day, heads the field off a mark of 153 but is burdened by a lighter load as amateur jockey Chad Bament takes off 10lbs.
Chambard also turned 13 the other day, but remains above his previous winning mark.
The only C&D scorer in the line-up, Fortescue, is bidding to score for the first time since February 2022.
Ask Me Early, Empire Steel, Remastered and Smarty Wild complete the field for Saturday’s 15:00.
The latest Veterans’ Chase Series Final odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Veterans’ Chase Series Final 2025 verdict
Timeform: Joe Tizzard has revitalised COPPERHEAD and Eldorado Allen recently and this pair of classy types could be the ones to fight this out, with the former marginally preferred. Empire Steel is reliable in relation to most at this level, so he’s considered a player, too.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Veterans’ Chase Series Final 2025 runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Veterans’ Chase Series Final 2025.
Sam Brown
Trainer: Anthony Honeyball Jockey: Chad Bament Age: 13 Weight: 12st 0lbs
Smart veteran chaser who won 3m handicaps at Warwick and Ascot last season. Returned with a fine third in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby but wasn’t in the same form in a strong handicap at Newbury last time. Blinkers go back on.
***
Eldorado Allen
Trainer: Joe Tizzard Jockey: Brendan Powell Age: 11 Weight: 11st 10lbs
Positive start to this season following another wind op when runner-up at Warwick and backed it up with a good third at Cheltenham. Step back up in trip is well in his favour and he boasts solid claims.
****
Remastered
Trainer: David Pipe Jockey: Jack Tudor Age: 12 Weight: 11st 5lbs
Last season was a write-off (including pulled up in this) but he bounced back to form to take advantage of his reduced mark on his Wincanton reappearance in October. Has been let down by jumping on both subsequent outings and others make more appeal.
**
Empire Steel
Trainer: Sandy Thomson Jockey: Ryan Mania Age: 11 Weight: 11st 3lbs
Gives his running more often than not, which counts for plenty in this sort of event, so merits respect on the back of another creditable third at Haydock last time.
***
Chambard
Trainer: Venetia Williams Jockey: Miss Lucy Turner Age: 13 Weight: 11st 3lbs
Won the Kim Muir at 2022 Cheltenham Festival and and added another valuable handicap to his CV in the Becher at Aintree over a year ago. Hasn’t fired subsequently, including on return at Cheltenham.
**
Copperhead
Trainer: Joe Tizzard Jockey: Freddie Gingell Age: 11 Weight: 10st 8lbs
Snapped long losing run on final start of last term and has picked up where he left off by taking handicaps at Chepstow and Aintree in October. Excellent second the last twice and is a leading player here.
*****
Ask Me Early
Trainer: Harry Fry Jockey: Bryan Carver Age: 11 Weight: 10st 5lbs
Won one of these events at Exeter almost a year ago but hasn’t been in the same form since, including on return at Bangor 52 days ago. Has edged back to a handy mark, though.
***
Fortescue
Trainer: Henry Daly Jockey: Hugh Nugent Age: 11 Weight: 10st 5lbs
Lightly raced in recent times and ran well when runner-up to Copperhead on reappearance. Didn’t fire at Ascot subsequently but this is easier back against fellow veterans.
***
Smarty Wild
Trainer: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White Jockey: Ben Jones Age: 11 Weight: 10st 2lbs
Useful handicap chaser, placed all 3 starts in 2022/23 but pulled up on the back of a long lay-off at Haydock last month. Might come on for it.
**
Saturday’s Racing Tips
- Matt Chapman’s ITV Racing tips for Sandown and Wincanton
- Roy Delargy’s ITV Racing tips for Sandown and Wincanton
- Mick Fitzgerald’s horse racing tips for Sandown and Wincanton on ITV
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