IN-FORM trainer Harry Fry is hopeful Shuil Royale can show why he has been burdened with top weight for the 32Red Veterans’ Handicap Chase at Sandown tomorrow (3pm).

The 12-year old sealed his 10th and latest victory by claiming a handicap chase at Aintree on October.

Shuil Royale is set to feature in a fiercely competitive field of 19 runners, with a total prize fund of £100,000 up for grabs in what is the final of the 2016 Veterans’ Chase Series.

And Fry, who has been on a red-hot streak of form with six winners from 10 runners around the country at the start of 2017, is hoping that the seasoned Royale can extend his winning yard’s success.

Shuil Royale is set to line up in a declared group which includes the likes of 2014 Ryanair Chase winner Dynaste under trainer David Pipe and Royal Vacation, trained by fellow Dorset handler Colin Tizzard.

Seaborough based Fry said: “He has got top weight, which is hard to believe given what the likes of Dynaste has achieved, but he has got top weight for a reason, having won well last time.

“He was going to run at Cheltenham in November but he got pus in his foot the night before and was lame.

“We looked at his options and decided to keep him fresh for this.

“It is a very competitive race and it is great to see all these old boys getting another chance at a big prize.

“He is in good form at home.”

Dynaste currently heads the betting at 7-1, with Fry’s charge a general 10-1 shot with most bookmakers.