14:00 Warwick

Tuesday 31 December 2019

All12:2512:5513:3014:0014:3515:1015:40

Local Parking Security Conditional Jockeys' Veterans' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:01 | Winning time: 6m 35.8s

Bob Ford¹⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 12-3| J: Harry Teal| T: A Ralph| OR: 122| D

4/1

Generally an unreliable sort although his quirks haven't surfaced so far this season making the most of his good record fresh to win at Uttoxeter last month. Ran creditably behind a progressive rival last time; player if in the same form.

Form: 53PP-12

Uhlan Bute^p²⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 117| D

7/2

Form can only be described as uneven since his win at he start of the year off a 2lb higher mark at Plumpton. Failed to build on the promise he had shown the time before at Lingfield when last seen; risky but the jockey booking catches the eye.

Form: 4P-7644

Loose Chips^b²⁵

Age: 13| Weight: 11-10| J: Tom Buckley⁽⁶⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 115| D

13/2

Oldest in the field who now looks to be on the wane having paid his dues over the past few years. Below his best so far this year but despite a mark than is in freefall (15lb below his last win) he can't be supported with any confidence.

Form: 5P5-844

Ultimatum Du Roy^p,t³⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-5| J: Jordan Nailor⁽³⁾| T: A M Hales| OR: 110| D

16/1

One of the younger members of the field although like a few of these he's yet to really fire this season. Well held last time the assessor continues to give him a chance but he's failing to take them; one of the lesser lights.

Form: 335/2-P5

Troubled Soul⁴²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: C Brace⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 109

6/1

Consistent mare who is the joint-youngest in the field; stepped up from her reappearance run last time but as so often with her gained a place rather than a win. In truth doesn't have much room to manoeuvre off this mark but should figure.

Form: 4222-32

Flaming Charmer^p,t²⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 10-11| J: Ben Jones| T: S Flook| OR: 102| CWS

14/1

Showed some better/useful form when he was with Colin Tizzard but hasn't shown anything like that level of performance in three starts for this outfit. Comes here off an appalling run at Wincanton; hard to have much faith in.

Form: 18P-P30

Water Wagtail^v⁴⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 10-11| J: Henry Platt⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 102| C

6/1

Course winner but has on occasions displayed some quirks which have hindered his chance; just touched off last time at Huntingdon (looked far from committed in the finish). Would have a chance in this company but not one to trust totally.

Form: 52-9302

High Counsel^p¹⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: Alexander Thorne⁽³⁾| T: G Hanmer| OR: 91| D

7/2

A ready winner at Southwell last time confirming the promise that he had shown in two previous Hereford starts. Up 6lb and this is stronger but he's more straightforward than some of these and a follow up can't be ruled out.

Form: 9-75321

Forecasts

High Counsel (7/2), Uhlan Bute (7/2), Bob Ford (4/1), Troubled Soul (6/1), Water Wagtail (6/1), Loose Chips (13/2), Flaming Charmer (14/1), Ultimatum Du Roy (16/1)

As you would expect in a veterans’ chase there are a few of these who have seen better days although the handicapper is now giving them a chance. Loose Chips would certainly fit into that category but he’s going to have to bounce back from some poor starts to get involved. Bob Ford has his quirks but has run consistently of late and the same label of being less than straightforward could be applied to Water Wagtail. The booking of Jonjo O’Neill Jnr catches the eye for Uhlan Bute but he’ll have to show more spark. Troubled Soul deserves to win a race but the handicapper appears to have her in his grip so HIGH COUNSEL is taken to follow up his Hereford win off 6lb higher.