John Sumner Memorial Veterans' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 6m 41.85s

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Selected odds by:

Aye Right⁴⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 12-2| J: Ryan Mania| T: H Graham & G Rutherford| OR: 152| D

2/1

Very smart chaser who ran well in face of stiff task when fourth in Grade 1 Ascot Chase on his final start last term. After 8 months off, shaped best when caught near finish in veterans' handicap at Chepstow (23.6f) last month, so he's not one to take lightly.

Form: 9/2P44-2

Thomas Darby^t⁴⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 147| D

7/2

Smart hurdler who is lightly raced over fences and off the mark in this sphere in handicap at Ayr (24.1f) in February. Well held in Aintree Grade 1 in April, but back on track on his return when fourth at Chepstow (23.6f) last month. Task is now to build on his latest effort.

Form: 23615-4

Cepage³⁷¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-6| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 142

5/1

Very smart chaser at best but hasn't stood much racing in recent years, having only one outing in each of the last 2 seasons. Beaten some way out when last seen in this race a year ago, so he has a bit to prove even though he returns with his yard in good form.

Form: P1440/7-

Mill Green¹⁹³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-5| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 141

4/1

Showed that plenty of ability remains in 2022/23, finishing third in big-field handicaps at both the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals. Not in the same form when last seen in May, but no surprise to see him thereabouts on his first start in veteran company.

Form: 33/333-0

Bennys King²²³

Age: 12| Weight: 10-13| J: Miss Heidi Palin⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 135| D

14/1

Very smart handicap chase in 2020/21 who was reinvigorated by the switch to hunters last season, winning twice and running a fine race when second at Aintree (21.1f) in April. Now makes his first start in a veterans' race after 7 months off.

Form: PP1U12-

Jimmy The Digger²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-5| J: Alice Stevens⁽⁵⁾| T: H D Daly| OR: 127

6/1

Held his form well last season, winning at Cheltenham (25f) in October and having an excuse when pulled up on his final outing (bled). Shaped well on his return, exiting in luckless fashion when stumbling and unseating at the eleventh at Aintree last month. Major player.

Form: 1427P-U

Forecasts

Aye Right (2/1), Thomas Darby (7/2), Mill Green (4/1), Cepage (5/1), Jimmy The Digger (6/1), Bennys King (14/1)

JIMMY THE DIGGER shaped well making his first start in veteran company at Aintree on his return, close up and going strongly when unseating at the eleventh, so he is taken build on that and get back to winning ways. Aye Right was only narrowly denied on his reappearance and can give his running once more, with Mill Green the pick of the remainder.