We kick off 2023 with the Veterans' Handicap Chase final at Sandown. A great prize of over 51k to the winner of this 10 years plus handicap chase.

Run To Milan offers a value alternative to last year's winner Prime Venture. He loves soft ground and was in great form this time last year when only beaten a half length by Win My Wings at Exeter and then there a month later from Belami Des Pictons. The handicapper raised him to a career high mark of 138. Victor Dartnall ran Run To Milan in the Ultima handicap chase at Cheltenham but he ran no race. He has had two races this season; pulled up on his first run before improving to finish third at Ffos Las before Christmas. The handicapper has dropped this horse to a mark of 128 which should see him competitive. Alan Johns rides and hopefully he can get up there near the front and enjoy a clean passage carrying a good low weight of 10-13.

Prime Venture is on the same mark as last year and the more rain this morning the Esher venue the better. He is a hold up horse so a hostage to fortune regarding the pace set up front. David Pipe's Ramses De Teille won impressively at Warwick in November. If he turns up at Sandown in the same form he looks a major player even if carrying top weight of 12 stone.

Sandown 15:00

0.5 point each way Run To Milan 10/1 William Hill 6 places else 11/1 Bet365 5 places.

Best of Luck, Nicky