AN ex-racehorse is far from going out to pasture.

Didmarton-based Always Bold,14, won 12 times from 82 starts on the flat and over hurdles and fences in his golden years, but under new owner Miranda Theobald, the veteran is catching the eye in eventing and dressage.

Chips as he's affectionately known, has qualified for the RoR National Championships held at Aintree in August for the second time since being re-trained. He qualified in 2017, winning a preliminary dressage qualifier and also a novice amateur showing class that year.

However, Chips spent time on the sidelines in 2018, suffering a stifle injury, with the medical experts not expecting him to make a full recovery.

Despite this setback he bounced back to win an RoR challenge qualifier at Usk show in September and will also take part at the coveted championships held at Blenheim Horse Trials.

Owner Miranda, revealed: "I bought Chips from my good friends Martin and Belinda Keighley when they retired him from racing. I got to know Chips when I rode out for them on Saturdays.

"He was trained by Martin as a racehorse, where he won six of his races."

Chips' fine dressage form continued last weekend -winning the Novice 22 dressage test at Allen's Hill Equestrian and posting a second in the Novice 38.