14:50 Warwick

Wednesday 17 November 2021

All12:0012:3013:0513:4014:1514:5015:20

John Sumner Memorial Veterans' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 6m 21.59s

Regal Encore^t¹⁸

Age: 13| Weight: 11-12| J: R P McLernon| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 148| D

12/1

Not the easiest to catch right but enhanced his good record at Ascot when third in Grade 3 handicap on return. Probably vulnerable around here, though.

Form: P320P-3

Vintage Clouds^p²⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-11| J: Harry Skelton| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 147

7/1

Cracking servant over the years and as good as ever when back to form in cheekpieces to win Ultima at Cheltenham Festival in March. Almost certainly needed return at Kelso and better expected now.

Form: 8/7531-5

Now Mcginty^p⁶⁹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 140| C| D

9/1

Progressed into smart chaser in 2018/19. Narrowly denied by Santini in Sandown listed race on 2019 return but only ninth in Welsh National following month. Off since but given chance by handicapper.

Form: 212829/

Sir Ivan^p,t⁴⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: H Fry| OR: 140| D

8/1

Winner of a similar event at Newbury in March and made a respectable return at Chepstow last month. Entitled to come on for that and not ruled out.

Form: 3231-34

Minellacelebration²⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-2| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Katy Price| OR: 138| BF| D

5/1

Just respectable efforts at best last season but has dipped below his last winning mark ahead of his return and has a good record in these events.

Form: 7U-3454

Fagan²²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Bannister| T: A M Hales| OR: 138| D

14/1

Low mileage for his age and resumed winning ways in emphatic fashion at Newbury in January. Excuses when mid-field in Grade 3 Aintree handicap final start and not taken lightly on return.

Form: 70/6317-

Potters Legend^p¹⁸⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 10-13| J: J M Quinlan| T: L Wadham| OR: 135| CD

11/2

Useful chaser who enjoyed a good 2020/21, enhancing record in veterans' events at Fakenham (3m) in March. Struggled at Aintree on return but might have needed it and won this last year off 5 lb lower.

Form: 25261-6

Final Nudge^t²⁴²

Age: 12| Weight: 10-12| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 134| D

9/2

Won at Market Rasen on sole start in 2020. Off 11 months before encouraging efforts both starts last season for this yard, notably when third in Midlands National at Uttoxeter. Respected.

Form: 0P81/53-

Red Infantry^p²³⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 10-10| J: C J Todd⁽³⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 132| CD

18/1

Best effort for a while when making most in a substandard renewal of the Grimthorpe at Doncaster but not in same form at Kelso later that month. Off 7 months.

Form: 5/P0614-

Jepeck²⁴⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 10-6| J: Rex Dingle| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 128| D

16/1

Below form on completed outings over fences last season, though showed up well for a long way before eventually refusing at Sandown. Decent third back over hurdles at Plumpton final start.

Form: 4/PP7R3-

Head To The Stars²⁰⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-6| J: Hugh Nugent⁽⁵⁾| T: H D Daly| OR: 128| D

14/1

Has an all-or-nothing profile and has won twice and been pulled up 4 times in his last 6 starts. First run since April. Very hard to know whether he'll be on a going day.

Form: 1/PPP1P-

Forecasts

Final Nudge (9/2), Minellacelebration (5/1), Potters Legend (11/2), Vintage Clouds (7/1), Sir Ivan (8/1), Now Mcginty (9/1), Regal Encore (12/1), Fagan (14/1), Head To The Stars (14/1), Jepeck (16/1), Red Infantry (18/1)

NOW MCGINTY failed to meet expectations in the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow when last seen almost 2 years ago but he's been given a chance by the handicapper so could be worth a punt. Vintage Clouds and Minellacelebration should both come on for their recent runs and they head the dangers.