Nocte Volatus stormed to victory in the £100,000 Unibet Veterans' Handicap Chase Final at Sandown Park, winning a gamble for trainer Tom Lacey. The 11-year-old, who had been backed down from 11-2 to 11-4 favourite on Saturday morning, prevailed by a length and a quarter under Stan Sheppard, beating Dan Skelton's Le Milos into second place.
Lacey, winning the prestigious veterans' prize for the first time, said: 'It's brilliant to win a nice pot like that with an improving 11-year-old. It's nice to show that a smaller yard can compete on the big stage.' Sheppard added: 'He's fairly on the edge with his jumping – he's got his own way of doing it – so you just have to hold on tight!'
Sandown's fixture went ahead after passing an 8am inspection, but other meetings were not so lucky. Racing at Newcastle and Wincanton was abandoned due to frost, while Naas, Chepstow and Plumpton were called off in advance. Southwell has been added as a late card on Sunday to prevent a blank day.
The British Horseracing Authority acknowledged that the extra flat fixture may inconvenience some participants but said the risk of a blank day was sufficient to add it. Inspections are scheduled for Monday's cards at Lingfield and Ludlow, while Tuesday's meeting at Musselburgh has already been cancelled.
