13:50 Aintree

Sunday 28 October 2018

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:10

Rewards4Racing Veterans' Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:51 | Winning time: 6m 13.20s

Buywise¹⁹⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 145

18/1

Mercurial character who finally won again over fences at Sandown in the early part of the year taking advantage of a falling mark before unseating in the Grand National when last seen. Still well handicapped if avoiding his usual errors.

Form: 4/8610U-

Pendra^p,t¹⁹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 140

8/1

Lightly-raced sort over the past few years who has participated in some good class handicaps (last seen in the Grand National; unseated). Had wind surgery prior to the National but goes well fresh and interesting off this mark.

Form: 1502/0P-

Ballyboker Breeze³²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: B S Hughes| T: N G Richards| OR: 139| CD

3/1

C&D winner in June stepping up on his reappearance off a 5lb lower mark but has failed to complete since then in a couple of starts. Arguably would have gone close at Perth when last seen (unseated 3 out); mark still workable.

Form: 17/21PU

Beat That¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 139| BF| CD

2/1

Very smart hurdler in his younger days (Grade 1 winner here) and whilst he's not reached those heights over fences he's still capable at this level; won two novice chases in August/September. Ran well back over fences last time; big player.

Form: 330-114

Exitas⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Lorcan Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: P W Middleton| OR: 137| BF

5/1

Performing well of late over fences/hurdles cashing in on a falling mark when winning at Market Rasen in the former discipline. Good effort in a veterans' handicap subsequently (Beat That behind) and worthy of respect off a slightly higher mark.

Form: 234122

Bishops Road^b,t¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: R Patrick⁽³⁾| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 137

14/1

Winless streak stretches back to February '16 (took Grand National Trial at Haydock) and has struggled for the most part since then. Hinted at a revival in Chepstow veterans' event last time (behind two of today's rivals); well handicapped off 137.

Form: 2P77-U6

Double Ross¹⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 11-1| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 134

9/1

Fell last time out (uncharacteristic) in the Chepstow veterans' chase that contains three of today's rivals. Not quite fired yet this season but would have a chance in his on his Kim Muir 4th in March off a 9lb higher mark.

Form: P84P-5F

Brandon Hill¹⁸⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: C Gethings| T: T R George| OR: 132

10/1

Trainer won this last year but remains 5lb above his last winning mark gained when he was with Tom Lacey. Consistent for this yard but has yet to win for them and now tries this type of event for the first time.

Form: 4/23204-

Forecasts

Beat That (2/1), Ballyboker Breeze (3/1), Exitas (5/1), Pendra (8/1), Double Ross (9/1), Brandon Hill (10/1), Bishops Road (14/1), Buywise (18/1)

A competitive event of its type and most of these can be considered to be well handicapped on their old and best form. BEAT THAT returns to the scene of his Grade 1 hurdles win and on his run at Chepstow in a veterans’ event last time despite finishing behind Exitas he has a good chance of reversing the form and picking up the winning thread. Pendra makes some appeal and should go well fresh with Ballybroker Breeze another returning to the scene of his best recent form and he’ll be in with a chance if he’s stays upright. Double Ross remains a danger in handicapping terms if regaining his verve after his early fall last time.