16:15 Ascot

Sunday 2 April 2017

All14:0014:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:20

grandnational2017.com Veterans' Handicap Chase (Leg 5 of The Veterans Chase Series)

Off time: 16:15 | Winning time: 5m 54.20s

Shuil Royale^p,t⁸⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: N D Fehily| T: H Fry| OR: 149

10/1

Better than ever when winning similar event at Aintree in October (good), and reportedly stiff when running poorly at Sandown last time, so easy to forgive that effort in isolation. Conditions to suit here, and not easily dismissed.

Form: 1P21P9-

No Duffer^t²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 145

6/1

Genuine sort whose last few wins have been gained on good ground, but coped fine in soft at Newbury last time when second to Just A Par. Jumped right in latter stages on that occasion, so return to right-handed track could be to his benefit. Low mileage for race of this nature, and may have more to offer.

Form: P211-61

Fox Appeal^t⁶⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 142

9/2

Goes best on right-handed tracks, winning at Ludlow (3m) in December. Latest sixth in Grade 3 handicap at Cheltenham reads well enough, and he was disputing the lead when falling at Wincanton on his previous outing. One to consider.

Form: 51F661-

Forgotten Gold^p¹⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr N George⁽⁷⁾| T: T R George| OR: 142

10/1

Won this race a year ago, and while well held behind Shuil Royale at Aintree in October, got back to winning ways in 3-runner affair at Leicester on penultimate start. Faced a stiff task in Kim Muir at Cheltenham since, and better expected now.

Form: 4612-81

Loose Chips^b²⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: G B Watters⁽³⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 138

12/1

Beat Court By Surprise at Sandown (3m) in October, and better form when placed twice there subsequently. Held by No Duffer on latest run at Newbury, but 0-15 left handed, and could bounce back now running in the right direction.

Form: U21-P21

Masters Hill^p²²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-0| J: T J O'Brien| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 137

11/2

No denying his ability, and ran a cracker when second to Shanroe Santos at Sandown (3m) last month. Every chance with a repeat of that effort, but has yet to win a handicap of any description, and ideally suited by plenty of cut underfoot.

Form: P3328-P

Theatrical Star^t³⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 10-8| J: Brendan Powell| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 131

15/2

Got no further than the first in this race twelve months ago, and arguably not the force of old. Back to form with plugging-on efforts at Exeter last twice, but more required if he's to make an impact in this line-up.

Form: UF-3460

Bob Tucker⁷⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: S Bowen| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 123

5/1

Won at Newbury and Kempton last spring, but largely below that form since, his best run coming over 3m5f at Sandown in December. Just a fair effort at Newbury last time, and others have more pressing claims once more.

Form: 44572P-

Court By Surprise^p1³⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 10-0| J: T Scudamore| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 123

10/1

Well treated on old form, but last win came back in 2014, and form has been rather patchy in recent times, including when jumping sketchily at Doncaster in February. Handicapper has given him a big chance if cheekpieces have a positive effect, but risky.

Form: 2P7-8P2

Non-Runners

Vino Griego⁵¹¹

Weight: 10-10| Age: 12

T: G & J Moore J: J E Moore

Al Alfa³¹⁰

Weight: 10-8| Age: 10

T: P Hobbs & J White J: R Johnson

Astracad³⁹

Weight: 10-8| Age: 11

T: N & W Twiston-Davies J: Sam Twiston-Davies

Forecasts

Fox Appeal (9/2), Bob Tucker (5/1), Al Alfa (5/1), Masters Hill (11/2), Vino Griego (11/2), No Duffer (6/1), Theatrical Star (15/2), Forgotten Gold (10/1), Court By Surprise (10/1), Shuil Royale (10/1), Astracad (10/1), Loose Chips (12/1)

This looks competitive, but FOX APPEAL will appreciate the switch to veterans' company having faced smart rivals in a Cheltenham Grade 3 last time, and gets the nod ahead of No Duffer, whose second to Just A Par at Newbury reads well. Forgotten Gold took this last year, and is another who will appreciate the easier task after running at the Cheltenham Festival.