15:55 Chepstow

Friday 11 October 2019

All14:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:0017:35

Professor Caroline Tisdall Supports Heroic Jumpers Veterans' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:56 | Winning time: 6m 15.0s

Regal Encore⁷²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: R P McLernon| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 145| C| DWS

11/1

Three-time winner who ran respectably in last year's National had a rare off day in the Galway Plate this summer but after a wind-op he can be expected to run well again here.

Form: P/637-20

Joe Farrell¹⁶⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: L P Aspell| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 142

3/1

2018 Scottish National winner disappointed in spring campaign last season after only two prior runs. This trip on the sharp side which is the worry but handicap is within range at present.

Form: 11/62PP-

Vieux Lion Rouge^p,t¹⁸⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: C O'Farrell| T: D Pipe| OR: 142| D

9/2

Five-time winner over fences who enjoys the National Fences without staying the full trip. Second in last year's Becher chase a race he won two years before and suspect that will be his early season priority again.

Form: 49/2PP0-

Theatre Guide^b,t²²³

Age: 12| Weight: 11-9| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽³⁾| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 142| C| D

11/2

Ended last season with two cracking efforts in competitive staying handicaps at Newbury and Sandown finishing second in both. First time out record suggests he can go well fresh and rates a leading player here.

Form: F7/0022-

Henryville^t⁴⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 140

16/1

Nine-time winner including five over fences not always the most consistent but basically running well this summer having won at Newton Abbot and most recently been second at Cartmel. Deeper waters here but not ruled out.

Form: 206-1P2

Dell' Arca^b³⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 135| D

9/1

Ultra-versatile sort fell in the Kerry National latest having prepped over inadequate 2m the time before. Arguably slightly better over hurdles (jumping questionable over fences) but on a workable mark over fences.

Form: 873P-8F

Perfect Candidate¹⁷⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 11-0| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 133| D

11/2

Six-time chase winner not won since 2017 but has fallen 19lb since that last win. One of the older runners in the race and form late last season suggested age was catching up with him.

Form: 0P63P5-

On Tour¹⁸⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 10-8| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 127| D

5/1

Three-time chase scorer but was unsuccessful last term and rarely looked well handicapped. Mark continues to tumble but others more compelling.

Form: 6563P5-

Flaming Charmer^t¹⁸⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: S Flook| OR: 118| C

33/1

Four-time winner over fences but was last seen finishing pulled up in a hunters chase and even his best recent form would see this race a tall order.

Form: 45/518P-

Non-Runners

The Young Master⁹

Weight: 11-11| Age: 10

T: N P Mulholland J: R T Dunne

Forecasts

Joe Farrell (3/1), Vieux Lion Rouge (9/2), On Tour (5/1), The Young Master (5/1), Perfect Candidate (11/2), Theatre Guide (11/2), Dell' Arca (9/1), Regal Encore (11/1), Henryville (16/1), Flaming Charmer (33/1)

Always a horse to be seriously respected in staying chases, THE YOUNG MASTER is fancied here and having won at the meeting a year ago everything seemingly points to a bold bid and the stronger race he won next at Cheltenham is more persuasive evidence in his favour. Theatre Guide ended last term with two fine efforts himself and he rates a big danger. Dell' Arca isn't always the best jumper but he is capable off this lower chase mark.