'It's amazing he's done that at 13' - 50-1 shot stars in veterans' final

Saturday: Sandown

Wishing And Hoping pulled off the biggest upset of his career when landing the Veterans' Handicap Chase Final at odds of 50-1.

The 13-year-old was nine lengths ahead before an awkward jump at the last but held on to deny joint-favourite Ramses De Teillee by two and a quarter lengths for trainer Mel Rowley and rider Alex Edwards.

It made for difficult viewing for owner Trish Andrews, who said: "I thought I was going to need an ambulance. We've done this for a long time and had great horses but he's been a bit of a slow burn.

Wishing And Hoping charges clear in the driving rain at SandownCredit: Mark Cranham

"He's not been rushed or made to do something he's not ready for. He was just too buzzy as a youngster. If we could turn back time, we should have sent him pointing when he was four or five years old.

"He got his confidence back pointing and hunter chasing before we brought him back under rules. These veteran races are great. We've always known he was good and it's amazing he's done that at 13."

Love Envoi cut for Mares' Hurdle

Connections of Love Envoi believe they have "the best mare in the country" after the Mares' Hurdle hopeful continued her unbeaten run this season with a dominant Listed success.

The Harry Fry-trained seven-year-old continued her march towards the Cheltenham Festival with a 13-length success under Johnny Burke ahead of last year's winner Martello Sky.

The success marked the eighth win from nine starts for Love Envoi, who was shortened to 4-1 (from 7) with Paddy Power for the Grade 1 Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle in March, having also scored at the Cheltenham Festival last year.

"It's fantastic, but we're getting a little too used to this," said Colin Gittians, who held the trophy for the first time as one of ten members of the Noel Fehily Racing Syndicate.

Love Envoi: could now take on the likes of Honeysuckle, Marie's Rock and Epatante in the Mares' HurdleCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I've been fine today but some of the others go through the hoops every time she runs. She's done it with a bit in hand and Johnny's been looking round. They've done all they’ve had to do."

Love Envoi will be entered for the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle but the focus remains on the mares' contest on March 14, for which she is now tied second-favourite with Epatante and Honeysuckle.

Gittains said: "There's an entry for the Stayers' as a just-in-case, but she will probably not go there. We want to stick to the plan and take on the big mares in March.

"I don't think we've got to her limit. Marie's Rock, Honeysuckle, Epatante – they're all quality horses but is it somebody else's turn? I think perhaps we may have another winner.

"It's been a brilliant day, she's won every time she's come here and all the syndicate members' families are here. We'd never met each other 18 months ago and now we've got the best mare in the country."

Dominant performance

Nigel Hawke admitted to "taking a punt" by running I Have A Voice against Triumph contender Bo Zenith but he was rewarded when the 17-2 shot made all to win the 2m juvenile hurdle under Tom Buckley.

The four-year-old, who raced on the Flat for Jim Bolger, was pushed into an early lead and stretched clear approaching the last, beating Mombasa by 17 lengths, while Bo Zenith could only manage third.

"We took a punt," said Hawke. "He won by a distance at Southwell in November but they didn't go quickly enough last time at Wetherby. We knew he was fit, jumps well and would be suited by the ground. Today was his Gold Cup and we'll see what the handicapper does."

Buckley was handed a four-day ban, beginning on January 24, for using his whip while clearly winning.

Results, replays and analysis

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