Victory at last for Buywise

★

BUYWISE finally got his head in front when flying up the Sandown hill to win the

32Red Veterans’ Handicap Chase.

Having come close in so many big handicaps, he appeared to have missed his chance of a big day.

★

But after being ridden patiently by Leighton Aspell, he fairly sprinted home to reward his loyal supporters at generous odds of 12-1.

It looked as though

14-year-old Pete The Feat could repeat his victory of last year as he took over in the straight, only for Evan Williams’

11-year-old to swoop late and win by two lengths. ★

Gas Line Boy stayed on to take third and Aspell said: “People will have seen him running in all those good races, knocking on the door for years. He’s turned up year after year but a race like this gave him a good opportunity to win.

★

“It’s the first time I’ve ridden him. As he gets older he’s staying further, he got round in the National.”

Speaking from Chepstow, Williams said: “That was very emotional to watch.

★

“I can’t speak highly enough of the ride Leighton gave him. They went very hard up front but you don’t win two Grand Nationals like he has without being a supreme horseman.

“He stayed on really strongly up the hill and it was great to see him finally do it. It was just a very good ride.

★

“I wouldn’t have thought we’d go for the National this season or the Cheltenham Festival. We’ll look after him and we’ll keep him to the park tracks.”