13:15 Newbury

Saturday 6 March 2021

All12:4013:1513:5014:3015:0515:4016:15

BetVictor Veterans' Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:15 | Winning time: 6m 33.90s

Present Man^t¹⁰⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Bryony Le Clerc| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 145

17/2

Enhanced good record fresh when landing veterans event at Chepstow in October. Not disgraced in Badger Ales next time and whilst below par at Warwick in November bounce back rates a possibility.

Form: 4P/P-167

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

West Approach^p¹⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 145| C

9/1

Smart performer when in the mood, cracking second behind Frodon at Cheltenham in October. Record typically mixed since but repeat of latest fourth in a 3m veterans' contest leaves him with claims.

Form: 4P-24P4

The Kings Writ^t³⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: Ben Godfrey⁽⁵⁾| T: K Woollacott| OR: 139

9/1

Useful handicap chaser who ran right up to best when runner-up in Somerset National (26.7f) on penultimate start. Below par last time but no surprise to see him bounce back.

Form: 20-3726

Sizing Codelco⁴²

Age: 12| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Kimber⁽⁷⁾| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 137

33/1

Back-to-back winner at Aintree/Punchestown Festivals in 2017. Record very mixed in highly-competitive company since and hard to be enthusiastic about judged on pair of exploits this winter.

Form: 0PP/5-P4

Sir Ivan^p,t⁶³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-3| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 136

8/1

Not the easiest to catch right but this 11-y-o arrives having hit the frame all 3 starts over hurdles/fences so far this winter. No reason why he won't give another good account.

Form: P15-323

Singlefarmpayment⁸⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: J J Burke| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 134

9/2

Unreliable chaser who is without a win since 2016. Below-par fifth in 3m handicap at Doncaster last time but the return to veterans' company rates a plus from further reduced mark.

Form: 8/447-45

Strong Pursuit⁶³

Age: 11| Weight: 10-11| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 130| C

8/1

Fragile sort who ran well returning from 11 months off when third to Potters Legend at Warwick (3m) in November. However, not in anything like the same form at Sandown in January. Tough to assess.

Form: 13P/6-3P

Valadom^t,v⁸⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 10-9| J: Paul O'Brien⁽³⁾| T: R Hobson| OR: 128

10/1

Showed benefit of his return effort in France when making all in a veterans' handicap at Newcastle (20f) in November. Creditable third over hurdles followed and expected to give another good account.

Form: 412-513

Shantou Village^t,v⁶⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-9| J: Millie Wonnacott⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 128

85/40

Not the force of old but showed he still has something to offer when fourth behind Present Man at Chepstow (23.6f) in October. Well held at Kempton over Christmas but break may have perked him up.

Form: 0-354U8

Non-Runners

Colorado Doc²⁸

Weight: 10-12| Age: 10

T: D Brace J: C Brace

Forecasts

Shantou Village (85/40), Singlefarmpayment (9/2), Sir Ivan (8/1), Strong Pursuit (8/1), Present Man (17/2), The Kings Writ (9/1), West Approach (9/1), Valadom (10/1), Colorado Doc (16/1), Sizing Codelco (33/1)

PRESENT MAN was below his best at Warwick in November, yet that came on the back of another solid display in the Badger Ales previously and, having been given time since, he may well get back to winning ways now (boasts a good record fresh). Sir Ivan is going through a consistent spell and is feared, along with West Approach and likeable front-runner Valadom.