History suggests it could pay to look beyond favourite Jepeck in wide-open race

Unibet Veterans’ Handicap Chase (In Memory Of Houblon Des Obeaux) | 3m | 10yo+ | ITV4/RTV

It seems inappropriate to label some of the runners in this race veterans, Burtons Well and Dark Flame for instance. They've had only 23 runs under rules between them and just a few days ago were sprightly ten-year-olds.

They both contribute to giving this a wide-open look and it's a race in which the favourite Jepeck appears there to be shot at.

Indeed, in the last three runnings, horses priced at 12-1 (three times), 14-1, 16-1 and 20-1 have finished in the first three, two of them winning.

There's no denying Jepeck has proved a revelation after being switched to hurdles this season, twice making all to win by wide margins, but his chase form leaves a lot to be desired.

He's just one from 15 yet returns to fences an eyewatering 22lb higher than for that victory. Even if he has improved since his last chase start, it looks a big challenge to dominate this field of mainly seasoned chasers.

King's Odyssey, another prominent in the betting, arrives on the back of winning one of these veterans' races at Warwick – a victory that has seen his rating break back through 140, which seems a barrier to him (he's 0-8 off marks in the 140s, with just one placed effort among those attempts).

If previous years are a guide, you should be concentrating on runners who have been on a slow decline rather than a recent surge – the four winners of this had lost their last 40 starts combined.

That's the main reason this popular series was introduced – to provide realistic opportunities for older horses who have seen better days.

What they say

Evan Williams, trainer of King’s Odyssey and On Tour
King's Odyssey has been a lovely old boy, but his own worst enemy is he always runs a good race; he’s never really been given a chance by the handicapper. He has always promised to win a big pot somewhere, and he must have a bit of a shout at Sandown. On Tour is another grand old boy. He has got plenty of miles on the clock, but ran very well at Chepstow at the start of the season. We’re trying headgear for the first time; we’ll see if it works.

David Pipe, trainer of Vieux Lion Rouge
He’s a big price, but has got a chance. He retains all his ability at home, but has got to go out and do it on the track.

Neil Mulholland, trainer of Carole’s Destrier
He’s run well at Sandown before and is in good form at home. I hope he can make his presence felt.

Joe Tizzard, assistant trainer of Theatre Guide
He’s been a very good horse for our yard and has been competing at a high level for six years now. He proves he’s still just about capable and, while this will be his last season, he deserves to go there and he acts well round Sandown, though it’s not going to be easy.

Alex Hales, trainer of Smooth Stepper
He ran very, very well at Warwick. I was delighted with him. He's in good nick and deserves to take his chance. I just wish the ground hadn't been drying out.

Lucy Wadham, trainer of Shanroe Santos
He’s in good shape and ran very well at Carlisle last time out. As always, it’s a very competitive race. He does like Sandown.

Bob Buckler, trainer of Regal Flow
The softer the better for him. He ran a lovely race at Ludlow last time considering he slipped on those mats on the bend. He seems in very good form, and we've got to take our chance.

Richard Rowe, trainer of Dark Flame
Drier conditions suit him better, so I hope we don’t get any rain. I’m looking forward to the race. It’s competitive, but he’s nicely weighted and has quite young legs for an old horse as he missed two seasons. We’re putting cheekpieces on to stop him hitting a flat spot. He tends to race lazily midway through a race, and we can’t afford to give too much ground away.

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