What a feat it would be: Pete and Wilf go for glory in Grand Military Gold Cup

3.40 Sandown
Grand Military Gold Cup (For Military Amateur Riders) | 3m | 6yo+ | RTV

Two evergreen veterans are aiming to strike in this year's Grand Military Gold Cup, as 15-year-old Pete The Feat and co-owner for the day Wilf Rayer go for glory.

To label Rayer merely co-owner does the septuagenarian a disservice. After spending 13 years as a soldier serving in Hong Kong, Aden and Ulster, he has become an integral part of the Pete The Feat story, often riding out the boisterous teenager and keeping him in check.

As per the conditions of the race, Pete The Feat has been leased to owners with military connections for the day, and trainer Charlie Longson was particularly pleased Rayer was able to be involved.

"The best thing about the race is that he's been leased for the day to my landlord Chris Marriott and to Wilf, who's been such a massive part of what's happened with Pete The Feat.

The 15-year-old Pete The Feat clears the last at SandownCredit: Edward Whitaker

"His owners [the Don Sebastiao Partnership] are over the moon it's been able to stay in-house, and it would be a great story for everyone if he could come home in front."

Pete The Feat was successful in a handicap chase on Saturday's Imperial Cup card 12 months ago, and Longsdon feels this race offers him an excellent chance to win again.

He said: "Everything's grand with him. We wanted to run in the Royal Artillery Gold Cup but we missed it by a couple of days because of the flu outbreak and needing a booster shot. It's a massive drop in grade for him and he's got every chance of winning."

Pete The Feat will not be the only veteran bidding for success at Sandown as Kastani Beach lines up for a seventh time in the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Memorial Amateur Riders' Hurdle (2.30). The 13-year-old won the race for military amateurs in 2015 and will be partnered by Corporal Nathan Rahman.

What they say

David Pipe, trainer of Rathlin Rose
He was in the process of running a big race last time when unfortunately he and Guy [Disney, jockey] parted company. Guy's been down to school him and they went well together, plus the rain at Sandown will definitely suit him.

Ben Pauling, trainer of Carlos Du Fruitier
He's in very good form and the ground should be okay. He won the Royal Artillery nicely last time and we have a good jockey in Billy Aprahamian taking off 7lb which helps with the weight.

Rathlin Rose is looking to bounce back after unseating Guy Disney at Sandown last timeCredit: Getty Images

Phil Middleton, trainer of Holly Bush Henry
He's had breathing issues and had his wind done for the fourth time before he was second at Ludlow and we thought it'd done the trick. However, he choked in the Welsh Grand National and on both runs since.

When I bought him they said I had to run him in a tongue tie but he won four races for me without it. He's wearing it again in this race and if it does the job then he's got a really good chance as he's in serious form at home.

Lucy Wadham, trainer of Le Reve
It was very emotional when he won at Lingfield a couple of weeks ago as it's been a long road back after the terrible fall he had at Cheltenham. He seems to be getting his confidence back and his owner Pat Betts has been very patient. We're going into the race hopeful he can put in another good effort.

Le Reve seen here defeating Pete The Feat in the 2016 Surrey NationalCredit: Edward Whitaker

Charlie Mann, trainer of Cabragh
He's a solid performer in his grade and he ran in both of the military races last year. Hopefully he can put in a good round and have an each-way chance.

Jamie Snowden, trainer of Vieux Lille
He ran a good race for us at Newbury and then it went wrong at Catterick when he made a mistake and the reins snapped. He's back on the straight and narrow now and the soft ground will be to his liking. He doesn't carry a penalty and that makes a huge difference in this race.

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