Racing expert Steve Jones has cast his eye over the first major Saturday card of 2026, pinpointing a trio of value selections for viewers of ITV Racing. The spotlight falls on the valuable Unibet Stayers' Veterans' Chase Final at Sandown Park, where one trainer holds a strong hand.
Credo Poised to Shine with Headgear Return
Dorset trainer Anthony Honeyball saddles three of the nine runners in the feature race at Sandown, and Jones believes Credo (3.05) is the standout pick. The mare has a proven track record in this series, having beaten stablemate Gustavian – today's likely favourite – in a qualifier at Exeter in February 2025.
She followed that with another comfortable victory in a series leg at Carlisle the following month. Significantly, both those wins came when she was equipped with a visor and ridden by her jockey today, Harry Cobden.
This season, Credo has raced without the headgear in two starts. She was third behind Gustavian on her comeback in the Badger Beers Chase at Wincanton and then stayed on too late when fourth in the Berkshire National at Ascot in November. The visor is reapplied today, which Jones expects to elicit a much sharper performance. He advises a 2-point win bet at 6-1.
Nardaran Expected to Bounce Back at Sandown
Later on the Sandown card, Jones fancies Nardaran (3.35) to return to winning ways after a perplexing effort last time out. The Paul Nicholls-trained runner was pulled up early at Plumpton, a performance deemed too bad to be true.
It likely came too soon after his impressive victory over Continuance over this same course and distance just eight days prior. That autumn form, which also included a win at Plumpton in October following a breathing operation, looks solid. With conditions to suit, Jones suggests the handicapper may not have been harsh enough to prevent another victory if he recaptures that autumn spark. The tip is a 1-point each-way bet at 9-1.
Fast Ground to Suit Raffles Nobu at Wincanton
The final selection runs at Wincanton, where the ground is expected to be quick. This should play to the strengths of Raffles Nobu (2.05), who was unsuited by heavy ground at Leicester last time out.
That run followed a promising effort behind the progressive Surrey Lord at Kempton, which was only his second start for rookie trainer Nick Scholfield. Blinkers, worn once before in France, are reapplied today, which could provide the key to improvement. Jones recommends a 1-point each-way bet at 10-1, noting that a couple of bookmakers are paying out on four places.
