Our expert takes a look at the first Saturday card of 2026 and likes the chance of one of Anthony Honeyball’s in the Veterans Chase at Sandown
Show them the money, Honey. Dorset trainer Anthony Honeyball has three of the nine runners in the Unibet Stayers Veterans’ Chase Final and his CREDO (3.05) looks the one to be on in this valuable Sandown prize.
She beat stablemate Gustavian – likely favourite for today’s race – in a qualifier for this series’ at Exeter last February. The following month, she easily won another leg when successful at Carlisle. Both those wins came in a visor when ridden by today’s jockey Harry Cobden. She hasn’t worn any headgear in two starts this season. That includes on her comeback run when third behind Gustavian in the Badger Beers Chase at Wincanton.
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She just wasn’t sharp enough without a visor and she again stayed on all too late when fourth in the Berkshire National at Ascot in November.
The headgear goes back on today and it should help a huge amount. Have 2pts win at 6-1.
Later on the card, NARDARAN (3.35) should bounce back to form after a poor effort at Plumpton last time out.
That puzzling effort – when pulled-up with more than a circuit to run – was simply too bad to be true. It probably came too soon after his defeat of Continuance over today’s course and distance eight days earlier. The form of that race looks solid.
Paul Nicholls’ runner had also hit the target on his return to action in October when successful at Plumpton. That came following a summer breathing operation and he is well suited by the decent ground he will face today.
It’s unlikely the handicapper has been severe enough to stop him winning if he is back to the form of his two autumn victories and the conditions are in his favour. Have 1pt each-way at 9-1.
The ground is also likely to be on the fast side at Wincanton. That will suit RAFFLES NOBU (2.05). He got bogged down by the heavy conditions at Leicester last month following a promising effort behind progressive Surrey Lord at Kempton.
That was only his second start for in-form rookie trainer Nick Scholfield and he was done no favours when shuffled back two hurdles from home. The blinkers he wore once in France are also back on. Have 1pt each-way at 10-1. A couple of bookies are paying out on four places.
