Virgin Bet Veterans' Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:31 | Winning time: 6m 36.22s

Settings

Selected odds by:

Aso³⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: T Scudamore| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 147

9/1

Smart chaser who hasn't scored for a while but stepped up on return when second behind resurgent Blaklion in similar event at Haydock. Ran no sort of race at Sandown since but type to bounce back.

Form: 285-02P

Elegant Escape^p²²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Brendan Powell| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 143| CD

3/1

Welsh National winner in 2018. Proved he retains a useful level of ability when third at Taunton 3 weeks ago and handicapper has given him a chance.

Form: 6P0/7P3

Sir Ivan^p,t³⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 11-2| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 137| C| D

11/1

Ended last campaign with success at Newbury (26f) in March. Creditable efforts in defeat this term, faring best of those ridden prominently when third at Sandown latest. Respected eased 3 lb.

Form: 31-3443

Belami Des Pictons⁵⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 10-13| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 134| BF| D

9/2

Well-in on old form and, while he's been lightly raced in recent seasons, he made an encouraging return when fourth at Bangor. Disappointed next time but worth another chance for thriving yard.

Form: P486/46

Jerrysback²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 133| D

7/2

Low-mileage 10-y-o who is often let down by jumping. Went in snatches when third at Ascot and remote fifth in Classic Chase at Warwick. This easier.

Form: 3PP-F35

Encounter A Giant⁷⁸⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: Nick Scholfield| T: A Ralph| OR: 133| DWS

14/1

Multiple point winner who more than confirmed the promise of belated Rules debut with an almost flawless performance in maiden chase at Hereford. Opening mark fair but has lengthy absence to overcome.

Form: U121U1/

Run To Milan³³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: Alan Johns| T: V R A Dartnall| OR: 132| BF| CD

10/3

C&D winner who came close to winning again here last month, looking as good as ever. This is a better race but not taken lightly.

Form: 61-3442

Forecasts

Elegant Escape (3/1), Run To Milan (10/3), Jerrysback (7/2), Belami Des Pictons (9/2), Aso (9/1), Sir Ivan (11/1), Encounter A Giant (14/1)

BELAMI DES PICTONS disappointed at Ascot before Christmas but he showed plenty of ability remains after a long absence when fourth at Bangor and is worth another chance to build on that off what remains a potentially handy mark. This does look very competitive though, with the dangers headed by the very lightly-raced Encounter A Giant, who looked potentially smart when last seen over 2 years ago.