After a festive period of wall-to-wall top-quality action, we are now back in more familiar territory. Most familiar, in fact, as the feature is a race for veteran chasers who many viewers will know like old friends.
The veterans' series final (3.00) has existed for less than a decade, but has already become the feature of this first Saturday of the year.
Clive Gildon provides his analysis on the big race as well as some other selections on a day of high-class action at Sandown.
3.00 - Veterans' Handicap Chase (Series Final)
A running that is not big on numbers, but it is big on quality as defending champion Sam Brown has been mixing it with some of the best chasers around, while ELDORADO ALLEN has even more in the way of backclass.
This horse has won a Haldon Gold Cup and a Denman Chase and has also been placed in a Betfair Chase, a Charlie Hall and an Arkle. Sure, most of them were a long time ago, but it is only 13 months since he was fourth in the Coral Gold Cup. He ran off 154 that day and, having done not a lot wrong in the meantime, he is down to 149 now and is among veterans.
After running well at Warwick to get qualified for this race on his return to action, Eldorado Allen looked a little short of pace back in distance at Cheltenham a few weeks ago. He should be fighting fit for this race, which is under just the right conditions for him.
The next best is Smarty Wild, who is at the other end of the weights, but is just as well handicapped. After nearly two years off, he showed plenty of his old zip at Haydock last time before a combination of the deep ground and his long absence took their toll. He has snuck into this race under the radar as a result.
SELECTION: ELDORADO ALLEN
NEXT BEST: SMARTY WILD
1.50 - Handicap Chase (2m4f)
This is a race where value stands in front of the obvious. It cannot be denied that Hunter Legend and Roccovango deserve to be among the favourites. However, while their prices reflect their chances, the same cannot be said of TRIPLE TRADE.
This horse got to a mark of 138 based on his wins around 2m in 2023. However, as he has got a bit older and his mark has stayed high, he has started to look in need of a return to further. He gets that chance now and he has more chance of beating the younger horses he is up against here than the prices suggest.
SELECTION: TRIPLE TRADE
NEXT BEST: HUNTER LEGEND
2.25 - Mares' Hurdle (Listed, 2m4f)
This Listed mares' hurdle is full of horses with little experience in the grade. That goes for GEORGI GIRL, too, but she has been so progressive of late as to earn her chance.
Less than a year ago, she won a handicap over 2m at Sandown by 19 lengths. She improved again to win at Kempton next time and has got back on the up since having a summer break. She won at Warwick in November, then ran another career-best when a close-up fifth at Cheltenham three weeks ago.
She represents the bet in the race, although Della Casa Lunga has the best form in the field and is clearly back in good order following a win at Kempton eight days ago.
SELECTION: GEORGI GIRL
NEXT BEST: DELLA CASA LUNGA
