David Keith Memorial Veterans' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 6m 19.4s

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Selected odds by:

Hammersly Lake²⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 12-7| J: Jordan Nailor⁽⁷⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 151

11/10

Useful chaser who likes to hear his hooves rattle. Won good prizes at Cartmel and Perth last summer and is now 8lb lower than latter success. Shaped well enough when close third at Warwick last month and should run a big race.

Form:

Exitas²²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽⁷⁾| T: P W Middleton| OR: 137

15/8

Stayed on well to win veterans chase at Aintree in October on good ground but has rather lost his way last three starts and has a bit to prove. Fallen back to last winning rating though and might bounce back under capable amateur.

Form:

Vaxalco¹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: Rex Dingle⁽⁵⁾| T: N B King| OR: 106| D

5/2

Ex-Irish chaser runs from 13lb out of the handicap. 0-22 under Rules but went close at Huntingdon 10 days ago off correct mark. Tough task though at the weights.

Form:

Non-Runners

Value At Risk¹⁰

Weight: 11-3| Age: 10

T: D Skelton J: Harry Skelton

Minella On Line¹¹⁴

Weight: 11-0| Age: 10

T: O Sherwood J: Harrison Beswick

Forecasts

Hammersly Lake (11/10), Value At Risk (6/4), Exitas (15/8), Minella On Line (2/1), Vaxalco (5/2)

A valuable prize, and while the turnout numerically is disappointing it nonetheless should provide a good race. Marginal preference is for top weight Hammersly Lake who should enjoy the quick ground and make the most of a little leeway from the handicapper. Value At Risk has only raced at this trip twice before but ran well on both occassions in good company and rates a danger, while Exitas will enjoy the sun on his back and is not out of it. Minella On Line needs to improve on his recent second at Doncaster to land a blow.