16:55 Chepstow

Friday 9 October 2020

All14:1014:4515:1515:5016:2516:5517:2517:55

Professor Caroline Tisdall Supports Heroic Jumpers Veterans' Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:59 | Winning time: 5m 47.95s

Virgilio^t²⁰⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 147

40/1

Won Aintree handicap and Summer Cup over 26f at Uttoxeter in 2018 but pulled up on final outing that year and showed very little after 15 months off both starts over hurdles in the spring.

Form: 113P/8P-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Double Shuffle^h²³⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 147| D

7/1

Smart chaser at his peak. Losing run stands at 16 and well held all 3 starts last season but dropping in class at least.

Form: 2P0/857-

Present Man^t³³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: Bryony Le Clerc| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 144| D

12/1

Winner of Badger Beers Silver Trophy in 2017 and 2018 but never looked like bringing up the hat-trick on sole start last season. Difficult to know how much ability he retains but still interesting.

Form: 3184P/P-

Crosspark²⁷²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 142| D

14/1

Game winner of the Eider at Newcastle in 2019 before signing off with excellent second in Scottish National. However, showed very little all 3 starts last term so bit to prove.

Form: 312/P8P-

Joe Farrell²⁰⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 142

4/1

Won 2018 Scottish National and creditable efforts all 3 starts last season, third in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter when last seen in March. Much respected having gone close in this 12 months ago.

Form: 2PP/373-

Pingshou^t¹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 140| D

20/1

Smart novice hurdler in 2016/17 and off mark over fences at Ffos Las last spring. However, jumping issues subsequently surfaced and little encouragement at Newton Abbot on return (went in snatches).

Form: 122FF-5

Theatre Guide^b,t²⁷⁹

Age: 13| Weight: 11-3| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 138| C| DWS

18/1

Last victory came nearly 4 years ago and not the most reliable but was arguably slightly unlucky in the Series Final at Sandown when last seen in January. Needed comeback in this last season, though.

Form: 22/6353-

Shantou Village^t,v1⁵³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 129| BF| D

5/2

Grade 2 winner in younger days. Completion record over fences took a big dent in 2019 but shaped well over hurdles mark both starts this term and handicapper has given him a chance in this sphere.

Form: UPP0-35

On Tour²⁷⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 10-7| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 128| D

7/1

Got going too late when just denied in this on return last season and good third in Series Final at Sandown. Losing run is mounting up but can't be ignored.

Form: 3P5/254-

Horatio Hornblower^p²⁷⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 10-4| J: David Noonan| T: Nick Williams| OR: 125| D

22/1

Capitalised on career-low mark at Ffos Las on return last season and made most of a good opportunity at Doncaster. Yet to be asked for effort when unseating in Series Final at Sandown since.

Form: 3P5/11U-

What A Moment³⁰¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-4| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 125WS

15/2

Won amateur riders' handicap at Cheltenham for the second time in 2017 but below par all 3 starts last season after almost 2 years off.

Form: PP1/9P6-

Dancing Shadow^b²¹⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: James Best| T: V R A Dartnall| OR: 120

28/1

Now 14 runs since his last win in 2017 and record last season was mixed. Unreliable and others preferred.

Form: 44/25P3-

Non-Runners

Strong Pursuit²⁸⁶

Weight: 10-11| Age: 10

T: P Hobbs & J White J: R Johnson

Don Poli²¹⁰

Weight: 10-11| Age: 11

T: D Skelton J: Tristan Durrell

Forecasts

Shantou Village (5/2), Joe Farrell (4/1), Double Shuffle (7/1), On Tour (7/1), What A Moment (15/2), Strong Pursuit (8/1), Present Man (12/1), Crosspark (14/1), Don Poli (16/1), Theatre Guide (18/1), Pingshou (20/1), Horatio Hornblower (22/1), Dancing Shadow (28/1), Virgilio (40/1)

SHANTOU VILLAGE failed to fire last season but there have been better signs over hurdles this term and he has been given a chance by the handicapper in this sphere. Joe Farrell and On Tour both went close on their reappearance in this 12 months ago so also make the shortlist in what looks a strong and fascinating race of its type.