Doitforthevillage rolls back the years to regain winning thread on veterans' day

It was veterans' day at Sandown but it was not only in the final of the veterans' series that an old boy dazzled.

Just over two years after his most recent win, Doitforthevillage got back on the scoresheet, powering up one of the sport's most famous hills to land the 2m4f handicap chase only four days after being beaten 27 lengths at Newbury.

On that day, The Rockbourne Partnership's horse was aged 11. As a 12-year-old he has clearly improved, for this was much more like the animal who once won a race at Cheltenham and finished third over the Grand National fences in the Topham Chase.

Doitforthevillage (right) takes Sandown's final fence with work still to be doneCredit: Edward Whitaker

"He has been a super horse and a real stable star – he has kept us in the limelight," said trainer Paul Henderson.

"He ran a few days ago but the ground was just too fast for him. They went flat out and that put his jumping under a bit of pressure. Today the ground was perfect for him.

"He has always been such a relentless galloper but he is a very stuffy horse. I work him more than any other horse at home because he carries a lot of condition for a long time until he slims up."

Grand Annual target for Ibleo

Ibleo benefited from a peach of a waiting ride from Charlie Deutsch, who picked his way through the field to land the 1m7½f handicap chase with something in hand.

"He's got speed when you need it and he knows where the finishing post is," said Deutsch. "I was quite far back turning in but felt I had the gears to get up from the last."

Victory played a handsome compliment to Sky Pirate, who beat Ibleo comprehensively when the pair met at Cheltenham last month. A rematch at the festival in March could await.

Trainer Venetia Williams said: "With a horse of this sort of level you're working back from the festival in March and he'll probably have another run before then.

"There's no need to go over further at this stage. There's always pace at the festival and a big hill to slow them up, so it will be the Grand Annual."

Moore reaches milestone on Hudson

Jamie Moore celebrated his 800th British success with words of praise for his winning juvenile hurdle mount Hudson De Grugy and brother Josh, who has not ridden competitively since suffering a fall at Ascot on December 19.

Sandown juvenile hurdle winner Hudson De Grugy leads past near empty grandstands on the first circuitCredit: Edward Whitaker

Moore said: "Josh has done all the work with him but he has been having a bit of trouble with a shoulder. This is really down to him and Dad. I've just had to do the steering."

Festival ambitions for Whitehotchillifili

A Grade 1-winning day for Harry Fry and Sean Bowen started with Whitehotchillifili's success in the Listed mares' hurdle.

The form showed here leaves the winner a long way short of what would be needed to trouble the likes of Honeysuckle and Benie Des Dieux at Cheltenham but connections hope an assignment at Warwick next month will be followed by a trip to the festival.

"It would be great to get to the festival but we'll look at Warwick first," said Fry. "On ratings she had a lot to find here but we knew she goes on the ground and she also ran a cracker here last time."

Results, replays and analysis

More Saturday reaction:

Harry Fry has Grade 1 star to enjoy as top novice Metier dazzles in Sandown mud

Which British-trained novice hurdler has the best chance at Cheltenham in March?

Members' Club: how previous winners of the Tolworth fared at Cheltenham in March

Sandy Thomson in dreamland after fairytale win for 'immense' Seeyouatmidnight

'That's what it's all about' – Simon Dow gets 2021 off to a flyer with treble

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