Integral UK Conditional Jockeys' Veterans' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:12 | Winning time: 6m 19.0s

Valadom^p,t¹⁷⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Shane Quinlan| T: R Hobson| OR: 123| D

9/4

Super old boy that wears his heart on his sleeve with some bold front-running displays, has been in the grip of the handicapper for some time but he is slowly relenting; however, tends to need a run to put him straight and with that, best watched.

Form: 52423-4

Dandridge^t,v³³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: Tom Buckley⁽⁶⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 120

5/1

At his peak he was finishing in the frame in Grand Annuals, not up to that level now but still running respectably; big worry is whether this extended trip will suit though, and on that alone, others make a bit more appeal.

Form: 624333

Vendredi Trois^p²³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Ben Jones| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 118| D

7/2

Took advantage of his reduced handicap mark to score by the minimum margin at Kemtpton last time out, gamely; gets a 3lb rise for that but will have his ground again and comes here a fit horse, so plenty to like about his chances.

Form: 2-25861

Ultimatum Du Roy^t²⁴¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-2| J: C Brace| T: A M Hales| OR: 113| C| D

9/1

Looking well treated on old form and came back from a long absence to finish a good second over 3m at Kempton in March; clearly goes well fresh so another absence no concern, trip and ground ideal, and he looks a big player here.

Form: 31335/2-

Fr Humphrey^b,t²³

Age: 11| Weight: 10-7| J: Harry Reed⁽³⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 104| D

9/2

Just denied by Vendredi Trois at Kempton last time out and a 1lb swing in the weights gives him chances of turning it around; needs the rain to stay away as he has to have good ground, and cannot be discounted if getting it.

Form: 15-8P12

Water Wagtail^v⁵⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 10-2| J: Henry Platt⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 99

6/1

No win machine even at his peak, wining just 3 of his 26 starts over fences when he really should have won a few more; well beaten again at Worcester last time and plenty on under inexperienced 10lb claimer here.

Form: 7/52-930

Forecasts

Valadom (9/4), Vendredi Trois (7/2), Fr Humphrey (9/2), Dandridge (5/1), Water Wagtail (6/1), Ultimatum Du Roy (9/1)

With doubts about the fitness of the evergreen Valadom, the trip for Dandridge and whether Water Wagtail simply wants to win anymore, this might concern the other three. Vendredi Trois and Fr Humphrey are closely matched on their Kempton form and there might not be a lot between the two again, but ULTIMATUM DU ROY is on a winning mark and has often gone well fresh, so is worthy of the vote.