Smarkets Carlow Veterans' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 6m 11.7s

Exitas²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Lorcan Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: P W Middleton| OR: 147

5/4

Was in command at the line at Aintree last month and had Beat That 11l adrift in behind. Been raised 10lb for those exertions but the gelding's in good heart and can make a bold effort to uphold the form; if the race doesn't come around too quickly.

Form: 341221

Beat That²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 139| BF| D

10/11

Twice held by Exitas lately but is now better off at the weights and he can make more of a fist of things on the revised terms. His proven liking for undulations will also be a big factor in his favour if this develops into a slog for the line.

Form: 30-1142

Le Reve^p⁵⁷¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: L P Aspell| T: L Wadham| OR: 137| D

8/1

Lightly raced over the last couple of years but plenty to prove having been out of action since April 2017. The trip is ideal but the gelding's best form has been achieved on right-handed courses. Easy to oppose on the evidence stacked against him.

Form: 50PU9P/

Forecasts

Beat That (10/11), Exitas (5/4), Le Reve (8/1)

The most likely scenario is that this will boil down to a tussle between old rivals Exitas and BEAT THAT if the jumping doesn't take a toll in between. And, while the latter has form to reverse with his old adversary; the gelding actually has the more proven ability to cope with the challenges presented by racing on an undulating surface. Nicky Henderson's contender also represents the better value on this occasion. Le Reve is respected on the best of his efforts but he goes better on a right-handed course and has a long absence to overcome in the process.