Aglionby Veterans' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:26 | Winning time: 6m 32.88s

Captain Chaos^b²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 140| D

9/4

Has proved unreliable but blinkered and right back on song of late under aggressive tactics, making all in 3m Ascot handicap last month. Up 5 lb but still weighted to have a big say.

Form: 1-PP041

My Old Gold²⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: N G Richards| OR: 140| CD

10/3

Scored over 2m4f here in November and posted another good effort when second of 4 in mares chase at Uttoxeter 28 days ago. Effective over this longer trip. Solid claims.

Form: 42-P1F2

Smooth Stepper⁵⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 11-9| J: Harry Bannister| T: A M Hales| OR: 137

9/1

Veteran signed off for last season with win in Grand National Trial (3m4f) at Haydock. Yet to match that form off higher mark in 3 runs this term but not without a chance now assessor has relented.

Form: 261-555

Late Romantic^p,t²⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: P J Brennan| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 135| DWS

4/1

Scored over 3m1f at Haydock in December and has performed with credit both runs since, third at Wincanton 29 days ago. Since had wind op so well in the mix if it ekes out a bit more improvement.

Form: 21-P153

Duke Debarry⁵¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Henry Brooke| T: B Ellison| OR: 127| C| D

22/1

Lightly-raced 10-y-o who made winning bow for Brian Ellison when landing 2m4f handicap chase here. Not ruled out if back in good nick but 17-month absence is an obvious concern. Market can guide.

Form: 715PP/1-

Gardefort⁴³

Age: 12| Weight: 10-10| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 124

10/3

Smart chaser at his best but lightly raced and not so reliable nowadays, though turned in creditable effort when third in 2m4f handicap at Sandown last time. Others prefered.

Form: P2/P-2P3

Forecasts

Captain Chaos (9/4), My Old Gold (10/3), Gardefort (10/3), Late Romantic (4/1), Smooth Stepper (9/1), Duke Debarry (22/1)

Marginal preference in a tight-knit handicap is for CAPTAIN CHAOS, who is in a rich vein of form since the blinkers went back on and fancied to add to his recent Ascot win off a 5 lb higher mark. My Old Gold arrives in good nick and can also boast a success here earlier in the season so rates next best, although Late Romantic could have a big say too if a recent wind op ekes out some improvement.