PETE The Feat is set to defend his crown in the 32redsport.com Veterans’ Handicap Steeple Chase Final at Sandown on Saturday.

The popular gelding, who turned 14 on New Year’s Day, proved king of the old-timers 12 months ago for Chipping Norton trainer Charlie Longsdon when capturing the £61,900 first prize with a two-lengths victory over Theatrical Star.

And he showed he is as good as ever with a gallant 25-1 triumph over the course and distance last month.

Longsdon said: “Pete is a flagbearer for the veterans’ series and proves that horses can race and be competitive even when they are in their teenage years.”

Loose Chips, another evergreen Longsdon star who finished third in the three-mile contest last year, is also due to be in the line-up.

Meanwhile, the trainer believes Lisdoonvarna Lad has an exciting future after the five-year-old gelding romped home by 11 lengths to open his account in a two-mile novices’ hurdle at Wetherby under Brian Hughes.

“He has always had a good reputation from Ireland and it is great that he is now living up to it,” said Longsdon.

The previous day Bestwork recorded his fourth win of 2017 for the Chipping Norton handler with a pillar-to-post success at Huntingdon.

The seven-year-old, who had previously scored at Towcester, Stratford and Uttoxeter this season, made all the running in a two-and-a-half-mile novices’ handicap chase to come home two lengths clear of Kincora Fort, with Paul O’Brien on board.