Bet At toals.com Veterans' Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:24 | Winning time: 7m 10.10s

Vino Griego^v⁹

Age: 13| Weight: 11-3| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 119

7/2

Fairly useful chaser in the past but lightly-raced since his last win in a 0-150 handicap chase at Sandown (reappeared there recently). May well have needed that run in a race where his last win came but more is needed with a visor back on.

Form: 54U65-8

Mont Royale^t³¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽⁵⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 119| C

11/4

Big-priced surprise winner at Uttoxeter in July off a 5lb lower mark and over a 6f shorter trip. Ran well enough in his next run but has found his brief flirtation with being in form coming to an end in his last two runs; wouldn't want any rain.

Form: 7914P5

Valleyofmilan^p⁴⁴⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 118

9/2

Always seems best when he's allowed an easy lead and he may get that here and did so when he won last at Perth in August 2017. Turned in a rather lack lustre effort last time he was seen but can't be ruled out in a race he could bounce back in.

Form: 5/23315-

Azure Fly^t⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 117| D

5/2

Stepped forward from his reappearance run after wind surgery last time out at Huntingdon when strong in the market. Looked hard work though and has never looked a particularly straightforward ride; 3lb below last winning mark.

Form: 16PP-44

Thomas Crapper^p¹²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-0| J: C Poste| T: R Dickin| OR: 116

7/1

Has in the past shown some good form but has never won as much as his promise has shown. Rather struggled since his March 2017 Newbury win and placed effort straight after at the Festival; tumbling down the weights, yet to take advantage.

Form: 4U/P9-60

Forecasts

Azure Fly (5/2), Mont Royale (11/4), Vino Griego (7/2), Valleyofmilan (9/2), Thomas Crapper (7/1)

Always a sight to gladden the heart to see these veterans and this race does give all of them a better chance than they have had of late but all of them come with question marks against them. Thomas Crapper for instance is 12lb below his last winning mark but despite the handicapper showing him some love he continues to struggle. Azure Fly isn’t one to trust particularly with Vino Griego needing to find his form although the reappearance of the visor may help. Mont Royale should get his ground but VALLEYOFMILAN looks the default selection back from a break and with the chance of a soft lead.