15:20 Exeter
Sunday 12 February 2017
All13:5014:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:50
188Bet Veterans' Handicap Chase
- 10YO plus | Class 2 | 3m 54y | Soft | 12 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 6m 12.30s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Likes to race with the pace and is a touch customer on his day. Outclassed in a much better race than this at Cheltenham last month, but this is more his level, so cannot be rule out in this company. Set to race from 8lb above his last winning mark, so everything to go his way.
Not been at his best recently and, although he is capable at this level, he may be better over a slightly shorter trip these days.
Failed to complete in four of his last five starts but, including at Uttoxeter last April. He has the attitude to adapt when things go his way but he may need a bit of assistance from the handicapper at the moment.
Very lightly raced in recent times and was never a factor in the Welsh National last month. He is a C&D winner but has a poor completion rate of late, so looks a risky option for win only purposes.
On a retrieval mission after he left a few punters disgruntled when he unseated at the second obstacle at Uttoxeter last time out. He is better judged on his efforts when winning over the Mildmay course at Aintree last May. A repeat dose of which would see him in the mix today.
Back over fences after a confidence boosting spin over hurdles at Wincanton at the start of the month. That was a fair effort but he has been very hard to win with of late and lacks consistency. The track suits him well though, and he one of the more interesting outsiders for the more adventurous punter to consider.
Hard to crab the form of his last two appearances at Cheltenham and, as he obviously likes an undulating surface; he ought to act well on the track at Exeter. He has been away from the action but has gone well fresh in the past, so also makes the shortlist as a leading contender if the market vibes point in the right direction.
Lightly raced of late but was no better than modest on his recent reappearance; others readily preferred on this occasion.
Goes well at this course and has started to turn the corner again now the handicapper has cut him some slack but worth bearing in mind that he's not won since 2014.
Back over a trip that will suit him better than the marathon of the Welsh National, but it's very debatable as to whether he is as effective as once was judging by his recent efforts. Well handicapped if he can pull something out of the fire, though.
Posted one of his better efforts last time out but he is in danger of becoming unreliable, so any market interested should be noted with a caution, as he rarely runs two races the same. (Also off-putting that he is 3lb wrong at the weights.)
Can be a sketchy jumper at times and, given his poor recent profile, it's difficult to see him managing to put the rest to the sword from 4lb out of the handicap.
Non-Runners
7
Kaki De La Pree29
Weight: 10-13| Age: 10
T: T Symonds J: James Davies
NR
Forecasts
Theatrical Star (9/2), Harry Topper (5/1), Masters Hill (15/2), Kaki De La Pree (8/1), As De Fer (17/2), Wychwoods Brook (9/1), Whats Happening (10/1), Shotavodka (10/1), Perfect Candidate (12/1), Buywise (12/1), Katkeau (14/1), Katenko (16/1), Al Co (16/1)
All of these have questions to answer on one level or another, but AL CO has some very solid form to his name and takes some pegging back when he is on song. Whats Happening is an obvious threat given his ability go well fresh, while Theatrical Star and Masters Hill are others who make appeal out of those likely to be available at longer odds.
1. Al Co
2. Whats Happening
3. Theatrical Star
Prize Money
1st: £18,768.002nd: £5,544.003rd: £2,772.004th: £1,386.005th: £693.006th: £348.00
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