William Hill Supporting Greatwood Veterans' Handicap Chase

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 149| D

Horse with a fine strike-rate over hurdles but off 446 days when struggling in competitive Huntingdon handicap hurdle latest over inadequate 2m3f trip. This will suit better and he should strip fitter so not ruled out in wide-open race.

Form: F/113P-8

Joe Farrell⁹¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-5| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 142| C

2018 Scottish National winner (on good), and had scored here on soft prior to that. Not seen since respectable Ladbrokes Trophy seventh. Well held in this last year but that was first-run of the season; not ignored by any means.

Form: 62PP-37

Le Rocher²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: David Noonan| T: Nick Williams| OR: 139

Real mudlark who has been running well without success this season. Solid effort at Sandown latest doesn't give him much to find and would have a real chance if rain comes and ground ends up heavy.

Form: 5242-23

Singlefarmpayment^h⁵⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 139| BF

Most infamous for the nine-time he's been a beaten favourite in his career. Below par most unusually at Cheltenham last time but usually goes close although without winning and weighted to go well here too.

Form: 208-447

Theatre Guide^b,t⁵⁶

Age: 13| Weight: 11-1| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 138| D

Over three years since he last won but still a useful staying chaser and he was second off this a year ago off a 1lb lower mark. Third in similar race at Sandown latest behind well-handicapped winner and big chance now on the back of that.

Form: 22-6353

Strong Pursuit⁶³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-9| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 132| C

Lightly raced for his age but a course winner (2m6½f). Struggled to hit those heights since but suspect he has a big run in him and yard's form suggests that could come today.

Form: P21/3P-6

Horatio Hornblower^p⁵⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 10-2| J: G Sheehan| T: Nick Williams| OR: 125| C

Was on the hunt for the hat-trick when unseating in similar race last time out, still held every chance when doing do; this arguably a little less competitive too and rates a genuine contender now.

Form: 3P5-11U

Dark Flame⁵⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 10-1| J: James Davies| T: R Rowe| OR: 124

Off two years when second on return at Sandown so that an excellent effort and his subsequent fifth in similar race to this another solid effort although saw him behind Theatre Guide. Less depth in today's race and each-way chances.

Form: 624/2V5

Antony^v1⁴⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 120| BF

Hinted at a revival on his penultimate start when markedly up in trip over C&D (jumped left). Blundered and unseated early last time at Plumpton; visor on first-time, not totally dismissed but is 3lb out of the handicap.

Form: 1/23-P4U

Forecasts

Le Rocher (4/1), Theatre Guide (9/2), Singlefarmpayment (6/1), Joe Farrell (6/1), Dark Flame (7/1), Horatio Hornblower (7/1), Strong Pursuit (10/1), Virgilio (10/1), Antony (10/1)

Although the oldest horse in the field and one a long-losing run THEATRE GUIDE is the one to beat by virtue of his close third in the last such veteran's race at Sandown and second in this a year ago. In the same Sandown race Horatio Hornblower still held chances when unseating in unfortunate circumstances and he could now make amends. Dour stayer Joe Farrell looks to have the majority of things in his favour too.