14:25 Cheltenham
Friday 15 December 2023
All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35
Unibet Middle Distance Chase Series Veterans' Handicap Chase
- 10YO plus | Class 2 | 2m 4f 127y | Soft | 9 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 5m 17.44s
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Selected odds by:
Rejuvenated by first-time blinkers when looking the likely winner of a 3m handicap at the Punchestown Festival in April until falling 2 out (just over 2 lengths ahead at the time). Ran poorly at Wincanton on return but blinkers back on now.
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None too reliable these days but he's smart when on-song and produced 3 good runner-up efforts last season. Respectable return at Sandown but drop back in trip not ideal.
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Very smart chaser at best but hasn't stood much racing in recent years and well held at Warwick last month after a year off. Headgear on.
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Rejuvenated after joining this yard from Philip Hobbs last season, completing hat-trick between February & March. Left reappearance well behind when winning 4-runner veterans event at Kempton last month and player up 5 lb.
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Not the force of old but looked full of zest only for his race to end with a horrible experience at Aintree on return, falling heavily and then colliding with 2 horses in his wake. Can go well if that incident hasn't left its mark.
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Front runner who's potentially well handicapped returning from 11 months off trying a veterans race for the first time, so of interest at a course he's won at.
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In the form of his life back in the spring, winning staying handicaps at Wincanton and Fakenham (good second in stronger Kempton contest in between). Never involved under a patient ride after 5 months off at Aintree (25f, soft) but could leave that effort behind here.
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Last hit the target at Doncaster in February 2022 and solid second in handicap there (3m, good) when last seen during the spring. Bit to find from out of the handicap here, however.
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Dual winner in handicap chases last season and better for return when going close back over hurdles at Uttoxeter 19 days ago. More needed back over fences from out of the handicap, however.
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Forecasts
Lord Du Mesnil (4/1), Storm Control (9/2), Cepage (11/2), Top Ville Ben (6/1), Le Ligerien (13/2), Go Steady (8/1), Sam Brown (8/1), Up Helly Aa King (12/1), Duc De Beauchene (25/1)
It could be worth chancing STORM CONTROL, who's dipped below his last winning mark on his first attempt in a veterans race. Le Ligerien looked better than ever when winning a similar event at Kempton last month and is a solid alternative, with Top Ville Ben best of the others.
- Le Ligerien13/2
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £26,015.002nd: £11,960.003rd: £5,980.004th: £2,990.005th: £1,495.006th: £745.00
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