15:10 Plumpton

Wednesday 16 January 2019

All13:3014:0014:3515:1015:4016:10

Download The Free Timeform App Veterans' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:11 | Winning time: 6m 59.4s

Topper Thornton³²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Kielan Woods| T: A M Hales| OR: 124

10/1

Better handicapped over fences than he is over hurdles so there is some reason to expect a better show here than on his last two starts. Nevertheless it is almost three years since his last success and others look more likely.

Form: 25PP-45

Millanisi Boy²⁷⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: M G Nolan| T: K Woollacott| OR: 124

10/1

Dual winner making his seasonal reappearance. Has gone well fresh in the past, but fully weighted here and conditions may be too lively.

Form: 6/P12P5-

Uhlan Bute^p⁴²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 119| C

5/1

His Ludlow victory in April ended a three year drought. Still 5lb above that mark, but yard going well and he has won here previously.

Form: 415-753

Ballyheigue Bay^p,t²⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 11-6| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 118| C

6/1

Dual hurdles winner but not won over fences since early 2015. Well beaten on both starts this term, but claims on last season's form and he has a good record here.

Form: 1232-3P

Wizards Bridge^b¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: T Scudamore| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 117| D

12/1

Mixed form this term but he is dropping towards his optimum mark of 116. Looks stronger in class 4 races these days and may be one for next time.

Form: 1P-43P7

Kilfinichen Bay^p,t²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 116| C| D

10/1

Getting on a bit, but boasts a fine strike rate and scored again in a four-runner contest at Sedgefield. Current mark looks testing at present.

Form: 432314

Anteros^t²⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 10-12| J: P J Brennan| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 110| C

9/4

On a handy mark judged on his hurdling form and a solid effort on his last chase start when splitting two useful sorts. Has a good record here and, although not straightforward, it would be no surprise to see him go close..

Form: 6-34F65

Dylanseoghan^p³⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: Page Fuller⁽³⁾| T: Miss Z C Davison| OR: 110

8/1

Scored twice under this rider last spring and appeared to be coming to hand here a month ago despite conditions being softer than ideal. Each-way claims off a 2lb lower mark.

Form: 231-144

Ruperra Tom^t⁴¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-4| J: J E Moore| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 102

12/1

Triple point-to-point winner is yet to break his duck under rules. Form has been mixed this term, but even his best effort does not look good enough at this level.

Form: 12P-326

Non-Runners

Thomas Crapper¹⁵

Weight: 11-8| Age: 12

T: R Dickin J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Anteros (9/4), Uhlan Bute (5/1), Thomas Crapper (5/1), Ballyheigue Bay (6/1), Dylanseoghan (8/1), Kilfinichen Bay (10/1), Millanisi Boy (10/1), Topper Thornton (10/1), Wizards Bridge (12/1), Ruperra Tom (12/1)

It is hard to be positive about many in this. There is little doubt that Anteros is potentially the best handicapped horse in the race, but he is hardly one to have maximum faith in. Thomas Crapper has won a similar race this term but needs to rebound from a tame effort last time. Uhlan Bute is feared with his yard in good form, but DYLANSEOGHAN ran a big race here a month ago on ground softer than ideal. A drop in the weights for this and perfect underfoot conditions should ensure a big run at decent odds.