Aglionby Veterans' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 6m 37.60s

Takingrisks^p⁵⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR: 150| CD

8/1

Last season's Scottish National hero who landed the Listed Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle in November but was outpaced switching back to hurdles last time. No easy task off 7lb higher than Newcastle win but clearly in good heart once again this term.

Form: 611-516

My Old Gold²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: B S Hughes| T: N G Richards| OR: 144| BF| CD

9/2

Stable companion of Takingrisks. Scrambled home in four-runner affair at Doncaster in December but didn't back that up when favourite and only fourth on return visit there last month. High enough in weights and ground may be plenty soft enough.

Form: 221-414

Le Rocher⁴³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: David Noonan| T: Nick Williams| OR: 139

2/1

First ever run at the track for Devon-based handler. Needs deep ground to show his best and has run creditably both starts since then turn of the year on soft gorund. Eased 1lb and looks serious contender with conditions to suit.

Form: 5242-23

Seeyouatmidnight¹⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 11-0| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 138| C| D

9/2

Classy staying chaser in his pomp but raced just once since finishing 11th in 2018 Grand National. Tailed off after very long absence on reappearance at Kelso recently and although eased 3lb in the weights needs to roll back the years to score.

Form: 1P230/4

Jepeck²⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-0| J: Rex Dingle⁽³⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 138| D

3/1

3-5 this term winning two heavy ground 3m novice hurdles and the very valuable veterans handicap chase at Sandown in Jauary. Solid fourth in Ascot Listed h'cap chase last time and remains in good heart so will be competitive.

Form: 2-12114

Bally Longford^t⁸⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 10-6| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 130| D

25/1

Best form in recent seasons has come on decent ground but has plenty of form in the past when the mud is flying. Has generally struggled since last summer and will do well to bounce back here.

Form: 33U5U7

Forecasts

Le Rocher (2/1), Jepeck (3/1), Seeyouatmidnight (9/2), My Old Gold (9/2), Takingrisks (8/1), Bally Longford (25/1)

LE ROCHER can make the very long journey from Devon pay by landing this well conetsted veterans event. He loves the heavy ground and has run well on both outings so far this term. Takingrisks remains a talented horse on his day and the run over hurdles last time should have him spot on for this return to fences. He had previosuly won well at Newcastle. Old Seeyouatmidnight would be a hugely popular local winner but he has to really turn it around after a poor effort last time, but Jepeck has been going great guns this season and despite going up in the weights may not be at all far away.