Aglionby Veterans' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:56 | Winning time: 6m 17.62s

Some Chaos^p⁵⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Benjamin Poste| T: M Scudamore| OR: 140| D

13/2

Back to his best after a wind op when landing veterans' handicap chase at Chepstow on return but pulled up on 3 subsequent outings. Others are more persuasive.

Form: 3P-1PPP

Belami Des Pictons²⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-9| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 137| BF| D

5/4

Lightly raced in recent seasons but turned in his best effort for some time when second in veterans' handicap at Exeter on penultimate start. Well beaten Doncaster since (bled) so he can bounce back.

Form: 86/4625

Smooth Stepper^p⁵⁶

Age: 13| Weight: 11-2| J: Kielan Woods| T: A M Hales| OR: 130| CD

9/2

Won this corresponding event last year and showed benefit of reappearance run when third at Cheltenham on New Year's Day. Well held at Lingfield 3 weeks later and is now 7 lb lower than last year.

Form: 51P-530

Jerrysback³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 130| D

16/5

Low-mileage 10-y-o who is often let down by jumping. Disappointingly hasn't gone on from his third in the Silver Cup at Ascot and he's left Philip Hobbs since.

Form: PP-F35P

Royal Village^p¹⁷⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽⁵⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 125

8/1

Notched a third Market Rasen success in July but not at his best there when last seen in September. Can go well fresh, though.

Form: 381737

Non-Runners

Uncle Alastair³²

Weight: 11-3| Age: 10

T: N G Richards J: B S Hughes

Chapel Stile⁴⁵

Weight: 11-3| Age: 10

T: N G Richards J: Danny McMenamin

Up Helly Aa King²⁵

Weight: 10-11| Age: 11

T: N W Alexander J: C O'Farrell

Forecasts

Belami Des Pictons (5/4), Jerrysback (16/5), Up Helly Aa King (7/2), Uncle Alastair (4/1), Smooth Stepper (9/2), Some Chaos (13/2), Royal Village (8/1), Chapel Stile (10/1)

UNCLE ALASTAIR clearly hasn't been easy to train but his ability remains judged by his 2 runner-up efforts this season so Nicky Richards' charge is taken to go a place better on this occasion. The main danger could be Up Helly Aa King, who has never won more than once in a season but should remain competitive despite a 3 lb rise, with Royal Village completing the shortlist.