Read Kevin Blake On attheraces.com Conditional Jockeys' Veterans' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:28 | Winning time: 6m 12.54s

William Of Orange^p,t¹⁴⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-13| J: Joe Williamson| T: M Walford| OR: 126| D

22/1

Has won 3 handicap chases for this yard in 2021 but has been pulled up the last twice, so questions to answer returning from 144 days off.

Form: 1-U12PP

No Comment^t²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Houlihan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 125| D

5/2

Finally came good over fences in a small-field veterans' event over 3m at Huntingdon in November. Unsuited by emphasis on speed at Fakenham a week later, and he's still one to have in mind.

Form: 242513

Soupy Soups^v¹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Lorcan Williams| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 117| D

4/1

Benefited from a first-time visor when capitalising on a reduced mark in a similar event at Uttoxeter 19 days ago, but he's unlikely to arrive in the same mood.

Form: P-PP831

Indy Five²⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-2| J: Jack Andrews| T: David Dennis| OR: 115| D

10/3

Useful chaser at his peak who is yet to fire this season but may well benefit from a return to more positive tactics (lacklustre display under a patient ride last time).

Form: 44/23-65

Bermeo^p,t²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: Charlie Price⁽³⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 110| D

10/1

Fair chaser who doesn't appear to have returned in much form, so best watched for the time being.

Form: 4833-PU

Ramonex^p,t²²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-9| J: Lily Pinchin| T: R Hobson| OR: 108| C

11/4

Inconsistent 10yo who posted one of his better efforts when second of 4 at Newcastle on reappearance. On a fair mark if he's able to back that up.

Form: 7P44P-2

Non-Runners

My Manekineko¹³

Weight: 11-3| Age: 12

T: J Nash J: Non Runner

Forecasts

No Comment (5/2), Ramonex (11/4), Indy Five (10/3), Soupy Soups (4/1), My Manekineko (5/1), Bermeo (10/1), William Of Orange (22/1)

MY MANEKINEKO is more consistent than the bulk of his rivals and has been contesting stronger races than this, so he gets the nod ahead of No Comment who shaped as if still in form last time. Both Ramonex and Soupy Soups could make their presence felt if they're in the same form as last time.