Pete The Feat 'as sprightly as ever' at 15 as he prepares for Sandown final

Pete The Feat, who turned 15 on New Year’s Day, will bid for a second Unibet Veterans’ Handicap Chase Final at Sandown on Saturday, with his trainer Charlie Longsdon convinced he is overpriced at 14-1.

Winner of the popular veterans’ series in its second year in 2017, the Don Sebastiao Partnership-owned Pete The Feat finished a gallant runner-up to Buywise 12 months ago.

He returned to his beloved Sandown to land a 3m handicap chase two months later and showed the fire still burns when third behind Mendip Express over Saturday’s course and distance last month.

Longsdon, who also plans to run the 13-year-old Loose Chips, said: “Pete The Feat is a very sprightly 15-year-old, and absolutely loves Sandown.

“He was beaten only six and a half lengths last time – and I think he should have won – which showed he’s still got it.

“He’s as sprightly as he’s ever been since we got him six or seven years ago.”

Loose Chips: set to join stablemate Pete The Feat at Sandown on SaturdayCredit: Mark Cranham

In the Listed Unibet Mares’ Hurdle on the same card, the possible presence of the Willie Mullins-trained star Laurina won’t scare Noel Williams away from declaring his hat-trick-seeking Sensulano.

The daughter of Milan has made a favourable impression in handicaps at Cheltenham and Ascot this winter and looks ready for a step up in class.

Williams said: “She’s been in good form after Cheltenham and might well run at Sandown. You always know she’ll be trying her best and she goes on most ground.

“If one of the two Willie Mullins superstars [Laurina or Benie Des Dieux] turns up then I’d be pretty realistic we’re running for second, but that wouldn’t stop me running her.

"I’m not worried about protecting her handicap mark any more. The chances are we probably will run her.”

Sandown entries on Saturday

With freezing overnight temperatures forecast for the remainder of the week, Sandown deployed frost covers on the entire course on Wednesday.

Clerk of the course Andrew Cooper said: “It’s due to turn cold and frosty so we’ve covered the track.

“Tomorrow is supposed to be the coldest night and Friday the coldest day. We won’t lift the covers until Saturday morning.”

He added: “The last rain we had here was on December 23 and there's none in the forecast for this week. The ground will be dead and sticky.

“It’s mainly soft on the hurdles track and good to soft on the chase track.”

Nicky Henderson will be bidding to win the Grade 1 Unibet Tolworth Hurdle for a record-breaking sixth time with serene Newbury scorer Rathhill the pick of his quartet.

Rathhill, cut to 6-4 (from 9-4) favourite by the sponsor on Wednesday, is one of three entries for owner JP McManus, who also has Warwick winner Birchdale and the mare Epatante. Lust For Glory completes Henderson's options.

The trainer said: "Rathhill won very nicely at Newbury. I was impressed with the performance and he's always looked the part. He has a great temperament and a lovely attitude to life."

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