Lovable veterans take over the stage at Sandown to round off a fine new year's week of racing

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We've gorged ourselves on Christmas racing but, lucky as we are, there's plenty of good action in the week of new year to keep us going. The very best horses have already done their bit, but there are plenty of popular and talented types entered over the coming days, so hopefully no-one will refer to what's coming as 'turkey sandwich' racing.

The final mince pie at the end of the feast will be Saturday's Veterans' Final at Sandown, a really successful race since its creation a decade ago, bringing together some familiar old boys and giving one of them a high-profile success at the end of their career. It has produced memorable finishes, like Jepeck edging out Regal Flow and Theatre Guide in 2020, as well as popular winners like Houblon Des Obeaux.

It's been tough for Sandown that the race has been lost for the last two years due to bad weather. Hopefully, there will be no such issues this time and we can see some of the current crop of veterans take each other on; qualifiers this time include Tommie Beau, Annsam, Gustavian, Nocte Volatus, Dunboyne, Does He Know, Hillcrest, Straw Fan Jack and Le Milos. Entries will be published on Monday.

It will be the first time the Sandown card has been run without the Tolworth Hurdle, a Grade 1 which has now been replicated on Aintree's Boxing Day card. The main support race on Saturday will be a Listed hurdle race for mares, last won by Love Envoi.

Stars may emerge at Cheltenham

Kabral Du Mathan will bid to enhance his Stayers' Hurdle credentials at Cheltenham on New Year's DayCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

 A day at the races is a great way for many to clear the head after overnight indulgence, so the action on New Year's Day is sure to be popular, from Musselburgh to Windsor and Exeter. As ever, Cheltenham provides the centrepiece, with its card featuring the Grade 2 Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle, won by Lucky Place and Bob Olinger in recent years.

Kabral Du Mathan will be the focus this time as Dan Skelton's youngster is seemingly crying out for this distance and maybe further. An impressive showing would put him in the conversation for the Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, but Lucky Place and Jingko Blue will ensure he is tested.

The Enabler, a really promising seven-year-old, could represent the rampant Gordon Elliott in a novice chase that is always informative. Jungle Boogie, a Gold Cup contender for Henry de Bromhead a couple of years ago, could make his first start for Venetia Williams in a handicap.

Moment in the spotlight for Tramore

The O'Driscoll's Irish Whiskey New Year's Day Chase at Tramore had its profile raised in the days when Al Boum Photo would regularly use it to prepare for his Gold Cup tilts. Thursday's running might be more influential on the Grand National market, with Perceval Legallois a noteworthy name among the entrants. Other big names who could show up include Gentleman De Mee, Appreciate It, Heart Wood, Ile Atlantique and Croke Park, a late withdrawal from Sunday's Savills Chase.

El Fabiolo seeking a clear round at Punchestown

Nothing has been simple for El Fabiolo since he flopped as the 2-9 favourite for the Champion Chase in 2024Credit: Alan Crowhurst

Before heading out to celebrate the end of 2025 on Wednesday, do make sure to tune into Punchestown's New Year's Eve card, which should be full of interest. Among the potential storylines is the return of El Fabiolo, an infamous name among favourite backers since flopping at odds of 2-9 in the Queen Mother Champion Chase of 2024. He did a Constitution Hill last season, falling three times in four outings, but is entered over hurdles this time and can hopefully have a positive experience.

Slade Steel is another fallen star who could be in the ascendancy on the same card. Winner of the Supreme in 2024, he's 0-3 over fences but his recent Navan spin was the best of those three and perhaps there's better to come.

It's a busy week in Ireland, to be topped off by the Ballymore Novice Hurdle at Naas on Sunday, won by Bob Olinger and Envoi Allen in the past. It's sure to provide insights for the top-class novice hurdles coming in the spring.

This time for Vanillier?

There's a big name declared to run at Haydock on Tuesday, when Vanillier must give more than a stone to all five of his rivals in a marathon handicap chase. Runner-up in the Grand National behind Corach Rambler in 2023, Gavin Cromwell's grey has been a regular on big days at Cheltenham and Aintree since then.

Winning has not come easily and he's a horse with zero tactical speed, but he beat a big field over Punchestown's banks course in February. Even so, his rating has been on the slide and there's a risk he might miss the cut for this year's National, with the weights due to be set in February. A victory here would be timely. A defeat of several lengths could knock him out of Aintree contention.

Lingfield points the way to future riches

Fans of Flat racing will be glued to Lingfield on Wednesday, when the Listed Midnite Quebec Stakes is the feature. Last year's edition was won by Royal Champion, who went on to much greater things, running third in the Irish Champion Stakes and landing the Bahrain International Trophy.

The Roger Varian-trained Tyrrhenian Sea, runner-up a year ago, will be the top-rated this time. Nebras, the only three-year-old, will have Oisin Murphy aboard for the first time.

Best Monday ever?

Before any of that, we get to enjoy the last morsel of Christmas racing on Monday, with top-class action on both sides of the Irish Sea. Leopardstown wraps up its festive fare with the December Hurdle as Lossiemouth and Anzadam take on Brighterdaysahead.

Meanwhile, Paul Nicholls' new star, No Drama This End, tries to keep his unbeaten run going in the Coral Challow Novices' Hurdle at Newbury, which also stages the Mandarin Handicap Chase. And that's without mentioning all the good things going on at Limerick, Doncaster, Kelso and Newcastle.

Read these next:

Lossiemouth puts her Champion Hurdle credentials on the line against Anzadam and Brighterdaysahead in sizzling showdown 

Seven of last ten Challow winners went backwards on ratings after Newbury success - could No Drama This End buck the trend? 

'Stuff of dreams' for Sam Ewing and Noel Meade as Affordale Fury lands major gamble with defeat of Galopin Des Champs 

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