15:55 Cartmel

Monday 28 May 2018

All14:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:0517:40

Priory Hotel Grand Veterans' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:55 | Winning time: 7m 35.80s

Silver Man^b²³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: W T Kennedy| T: J Hughes| OR: 135| CD

12/1

Connections will be hoping he can land this for the second year in row when he capitalised on the calmer waters of events like this. He arrives having run in the same prep race but didn't perform in that as before and is now off a 6lb higher mark.

Form: 3P/610-P

Seldom Inn³³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: D R Fox| T: A M Thomson| OR: 133

9/1

Gives the impression that he's not in love with his work of late even though he took third last time at Perth (looked a hard ride). His jumping also gives some cause for concern and he takes some knowing; hard to really trust, first run at Cartmel.

Form: 532353-

Gonalston Cloud^p¹⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-6| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: N Kent| OR: 129

10/1

Very likeable sort who is capable in this sort of event although this track/ground may be a little quick for him. A recent win at Wetherby has seen his mark raised to above his normal winning level; has a place chance at his best.

Form: 85P12-5

Buachaill Alainn^b,t¹⁸⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-3| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 126| D

9/1

Has gradually drifted back down to his last winning mark with his best recent run (2nd) coming off 1lb higher last summer at Worcester (made hard work of things). Has not looked on a going day since although a break may have freshened him up.

Form: 52255P-

Goodtoknow^b³⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: B S Hughes| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 126

9/2

Prior to his Wetherby 2nd (chased home Gonalston Cloud) the game looked very much over for his chasing career. Built on that run though when disqualified at Ludlow (raised 5lb for that "win") and should appreciate this level.

Form: PP7P2D-

Lamb Or Cod^t¹⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 124

5/2

Well treated on his old form (slightly lost his way) but with the yard now in better fettle the signs from his recent 2nd are that he is on the way back. Should stay this trip and be able to take advantage of this mark (2lb above his lowest ever).

Form: 4/PF02-2

Boric^p³¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: Callum Bewley⁽³⁾| T: S Waugh| OR: 119

4/1

Remains a long way above his last winning mark but has run some respectable races since and is a doughty stayer. Handicapper is starting to relent a little and his run after a break last time will have brought him on; needs taking seriously.

Form: 2462P4-

Total Assets²³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: Amie Waugh⁽⁷⁾| T: S Waugh| OR: 109

6/1

Mixes chasing with hurdling but ran an uncharacteristic race last time (off the bridle a long way out). Weighted lower over fences (last two wins over hurdles); trip should hold no fears but was pulled-up over hurdles here on last/only visit.

Form: 2/2532-8

Forecasts

Lamb Or Cod (5/2), Boric (4/1), Goodtoknow (9/2), Total Assets (6/1), Buachaill Alainn (9/1), Seldom Inn (9/1), Gonalston Cloud (10/1), Silver Man (12/1)

The marathon trip will give us enough time to appreciate these veterans although a few of them might take a little bit of encouragement such as Seldom Inn and Buachaill Alainn. Last year’s winner Silver Man takes the same route here but doesn’t arrive in the same form while this track may prove a little sharp for the likeable Gonalston Cloud. LAMB AND COD has been competitive off much higher marks in the past and with the Hobbs team now firing he’s taken to regain the winning thread. Goodtoknow deserves to win something like this especially after he was a little unfortunate at Ludlow last time having got his career back on track. Boric looks the best of the Waugh duo.