Lancastrian Jet can strike a blow for the 'golden oldies' at Sandown tomorrow by landing the prestigious Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Memorial Hunters' Chase as a 14-year-old.

The evergreen performer, trained by Henry Daly, will bid to provide amateur rider Marc Barber with a memorable success in this three-mile contest run in memory of the ardent National Hunt supporter on one of her favourite courses.

Lancastrian Jet, who has had a long and successful career over jumps, retains a measure of his former ability, despite being a teenager.

Already a winner this season, he went down fighting behind Balinova at Hunting-don two weeks ago when he had Moor Lane a place behind him in third.

Lancastrian Jet is taken to confirm that superiority tomorrow and land the major honours. Moor Lane, who is 'merely' a 13-year-old, can probably fill one of the places.

The £12,000 Grand Military Gold Cup is the feature race and Whitenzo looks booked for the number-one slot.

A former high-class chaser, Paul Nicholls' charge has reverted to a lower level recently and was a course-and-distance winner here last month in the Royal Artillery Gold Cup. James Snowden again teams up with him as he goes for a notable double.

Sea Captain, carrying the colours of the Queen, would be an appropriate winner.

Already successful on this course, Sea Captain, highly rated by trainer Nicky Henderson, promises to take plenty of beating in the Association For Post Natal Illness Novices' Hurdle. Mick Fitzgerald has the mount.

Also worth noting is Osiris in the Thales Novices' Handicap Chase. Evan Williams' gelding fell at Haydock last time but had previously been progressing well over fences with two wins from three outings.

The Giles Financial Handicap Chase, worth £12,000, is the main race at Ayr and Harrovian is napped to take the spoils for trainer Pauline Robson.

Although denied a hat-trick of wins at Kelso last time, Harrovian finished a creditable fourth to King's Bounty. Tomorrow's longer trip is expected to suit this lightly-raced gelding even better.

Tomorrow's tips:

Sandown

2-10 Transit; 2-40 Osiris; 3-15 Whitenzo; 3-50 Aldirous; 4-20 Lancastrian Jet; 4-55 Sea Captain.

Ayr

2-00 Brandy Wine; 2-30 Sergio Combra; 3-00 Mandingo Chief; 3-35 Ceasar's Palace; 4-10 Harrovian (NAP); 4-40 Nerone; 5-15 Next To Nothing.

Tomorrow's other meeting is at Leicester.

Updated: 09:27 Thursday, March 10, 2005