Nocte Volatus jets to Veterans’ victory

Nocte Volatus took flight at Sandown to land the Unibet Veterans’ Handicap Chase for Stan Sheppard and Tom Lacey.

The 11-year-old went off the 11-4 favourite for the contest, which is run over three miles for a first prize of over £50,000.

The race was not without dramatic moments as Annsam fell, Copperhead unseated and Gustavian made jumping errors at the railway fences, but Nocte Volatus stayed out of trouble to claim a length-and-a-quarter win from Le Milos.

“This is a great initiative for these older horses,” Sheppard told ITV Racing.

“He struggled a bit all last year, but stepping up to three miles in that sort of company has really suited him.

“He used to over-race a bit but he’s finally settled and he gets three miles better than he used to.

“It was a stiffer test today than the last time and that was the only question mark I had, but he’s done it really well.

“It was very straightforward for me, he got into a lovely rhythm. With his jumping he is on edge at a few, he’s got his own way of doing it so you just have to hold on tight!”