Aglionby Veterans' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 6m 38.3s

Houblon Des Obeaux^p¹⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 144| D

10/3

Has won on heavy, though the majority of his 10 career wins have been when conditions haven't been quite as deep. Has shown he is still capable of raising his game this season, and has at least each-way claims again here.

Form: 9-66103

Rock On Fruity²²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 136| D

10/1

Thriving as he gets older, having earned two of his four chase wins this season, the latest at Newcastle from just 2lb lower. Sees out 3m1f on soft, so has possibilities here, but not sure which Rock On Fruity will turn up.

Form: U57119

Straidnahanna²³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 130| D

8/1

Jockey has often said that this is his favourite ride, and they have combined for three of the gelding's five career successes. Stays very well, usually jumps well, and is back on his last winning mark. Acts on any ground. Not ruled out.

Form: 1P-634F

Takingrisks^p1⁴⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR: 129| BF| CD

11/2

Has won three times on heavy, and is just 2lb higher than when doing so at Ayr (3m) a year ago. Has since won there over hurdles and run well over fences. Cheekpieces may help him pull out a bit more. Claims.

Form: 3-51236

Silver Tassie⁹⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 10-10| J: Alain Cawley| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 128| D

16/1

Last win came on heavy at Ayr (3m) two years ago, when 1lb lower. Has run well numerous times in defeat since then and can certainly give him claims from this mark if at his best.

Form: P32-327

Jepeck²³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-9| J: Rex Dingle⁽⁵⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 127| BF| D

5/4

Got off the mark at the 10th attempt over fences when scoring at Ffos Las (3m, heavy) in November. Went up a huge 17lb for that, but that didn't stop him being sent off favourite when held at Exeter (3m6f) last time. More needed.

Form: 4333-16

Non-Runners

The Paparrazi Kid³²⁶

Weight: 11-6| Age: 12

T: J Coulson J: Henry Brooke

Forecasts

Jepeck (5/4), Houblon Des Obeaux (10/3), Takingrisks (11/2), Straidnahanna (8/1), The Paparrazi Kid (8/1), Rock On Fruity (10/1), Silver Tassie (16/1)

A tough race to call, with Jepeck still a potential danger dropping back to this trip, Straidnahanna back on a winning mark, Houblon Des Obeaux in good form, and both Silver Tassie and Rock On Fruity having the ability to win this if at their best. However, the suggestion is TAKINGRISKS, who has just as much going for him any any other in the line-up, and might just be lifted by cheekpieces.