Ramses ready to roll in competitive veterans’ final

Popular series has attracted a strong line-up at Sandown.

David Pipe believes Ramses De Teillee has a fine chance of landing the Unibet Veterans’ Handicap Chase at Sandown if in the same form as his Warwick reappearance.

It is seven years since the Pond House handler won the inaugural running of the popular veterans’ series finale with Soll – and he appears to have found a horse who fits the bill to add to his tally in the form of the dashing front-running grey.

The 11-year-old galloped the opposition into submission on his veterans’ chase debut in November and with rain forecast for the Esher venue on race day, conditions could be perfect for the five-time fences winner.

Pipe said: “He won well at Warwick and is in good form at home and if the Ramses of Warwick turns up he’ll have a great chance.

“They are great races these veterans’ races and it is great to see the final well supported.”

On Ramses De Teillee having to shoulder top-weight in the GBP 100,000 staying contest, Pipe added: “He’s earned the right and deserved it. He’s 11-years-old, but he’s full of life at home and it will be soft enough for him.”

Another grey in the field is Charlie Longsdon’s popular mare Snow Leopardess, who was among the market principals for last year’s Grand National.

She also made her return at Warwick in the race won by Ramses De Teillee, but only got as far as the first when pulled up by Aidan Coleman having slipped and made a mistake.

The 11-year-old finally got a run under her belt when eighth in the Becher Chase over the National fences and Longsdon is hoping to see plenty of rain fall before the off in a race he won with Pete The Fete in 2017.

Aintree Races – Saturday 4th December
Snow Leopardess ridden by Aidan Coleman (right) clears The Chair before going on to win the Unibet Becher Handicap Chase at Aintree in 2021 (Tim Goode/PA)

He said: “We’re looking forward to it and the more rain the better.

“It is a very, very strong race and an 18-runner field, but she seems to like the attritional going and with the rain forecast for Saturday, hopefully that will come and we’ll be happy. It will slow the rest of them down.

“We’ve had some luck in the race in the past and we’ve had some great times with old Pete The Fete and Loose Chips, but the race is a lot stronger now.

“I’m looking forward to it and with the rain around hopefully she can run well.”

The race was won 12 months ago by Evan Williams’ Prime Venture, who returns off the same mark to defend his crown and with the Welsh handler keen to keep supporting a race that often lights up a bleak January afternoon.

He said: “He’s been a great horse, he’s been placed in Welsh Nationals, he won this race last year and he’s been a very good fun horse, a smashing horse.

“It’s nice to get back there (Sandown) and we think it’s a great initiative, so it’s great to be having a nice horse running in the race for some good prize-money. It’s a race we like to try to support and it’s very popular.”

Harry Fry’s Sir Ivan was third in the race last year and returns off an 11lb lower mark following a third at Fontwell last month, while Crosspark has also gone close in the past finishing a length second in 2021.

One who does head to the race in rude health is Richard Hobson’s Saint Xavier, who romped home from Nick Alexander’s reopposing Up Helly Aa King at Haydock in November and could continue the fine run of in-form jockey Lilly Pinchin.

“Saint Xavier is absolutely flying, I’m really pleased with him,” said Hobson. “I can’t wait to run him and I think he’ll handle Sandown.

“He seem to like those flat tracks, Haydock or Auteuil, which isn’t that flat but is only slightly undulating.

“He jumps like a bunny, he’s in great order, he’s got a lovely weight, a good jockey – we’re hoping for a big run.

“He jumped super and beat a Welsh National winner (last time out), he’s got 10st 2lb on his back with Lilly’s claim and he’s a classy horse in his own right.”

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