14:10 Newbury

Saturday 2 April 2022

All13:0013:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:30

Download The BetVictor App Conditional Jockeys' Veterans' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 5m 59.28s

Glen Forsa^t²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Jordan Nailor| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 133

15/2

One-time very smart chaser for Mick Channon. Not so good nowadays, but he gained first win for current yard in 22f Musselburgh handicap in February. Below-par seventh here last time though, so he needs to get back on track.

Form: P-4P417

Indy Five²⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 11-8| J: Theo Gillard| T: David Dennis| OR: 129| CD

15/2

Has benefited from return to positive tactics when a dual winner this term, going with enthusiasm and well on top finish in 26f handicap here four weeks ago. Much respected despite 8 lb hike in the weights.

Form: 651P21

No Comment^t¹¹³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-4| J: K Brogan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 125| BF

7/1

Finally came good over fences in 3m veterans' event at Huntingdon in November. Off since good second to Indy Five in handicap at Doncaster (24f) following month, but he's still one to have in mind.

Form: 425132

Vivas^p²⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: Luca Morgan| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 122

12/1

Winless since 2019 but he arrives on back of good fourth of 6 to First Figaro in handicap at Doncaster (24f) 29 days ago. Likely to go well again off an easing mark.

Form: PF-U2P4

Psychedelic Rock^p⁵⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: Fergus Gregory| T: Ian Williams| OR: 122

14/1

Thrived last spring when winning 3 times over fences. Hinted at a revival when fourth of 8 to Glen Forsa in handicap at Musselburgh (22f) 56 days ago, so he's well worth considering off a reduced mark.

Form: 1-18PP4

Valadom^t,v³⁴

Age: 13| Weight: 10-8| J: Lily Pinchin⁽³⁾| T: R Hobson| OR: 115

10/1

Isn't the force of old, and he was below form fifth with his trademark front-running tactics readopted at Hereford (25.2f) 34 days ago. Visor is retried with plenty to prove.

Form: 22-3565

First Figaro²²

Age: 12| Weight: 10-2| J: Ned Fox⁽⁸⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 109| D

2/1

Right back to his best after lengthy absence with recent wins in handicap chases at Doncaster and Leicester (22.7f) 22 days ago, forging clear each time. Bumped back up the weights here but he's still a big player in his current mood.

Form: 42/23-11

Bermeo^p,t¹¹³

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: Bryan Carver| T: H Fry| OR: 107| D

7/2

Fair chaser at his best but he's yet to fire in three runs this season, tailed off in 3m Doncaster handicap in December on his final run for Tim Vaughan. Well weighted now if his yard switch sparks a resurgence.

Form: 833-PU4

Non-Runners

La Cavsa Nostra³⁴

Weight: 11-2| Age: 10

T: N P Mulholland J: Hugh Nugent

Another Emotion¹⁶

Weight: 10-10| Age: 10

T: W Greatrex J: Cillin Leonard

Forecasts

First Figaro (2/1), Bermeo (7/2), La Cavsa Nostra (9/2), No Comment (7/1), Indy Five (15/2), Glen Forsa (15/2), Valadom (10/1), Vivas (12/1), Psychedelic Rock (14/1), Another Emotion (14/1)

A case can be made for most of these but the most persuasive one is for FIRST FIGARO, who has returned from a near 12-month absence in flying form and remains on a workable mark in his hat-trick bid. Psychedelic Rock looked to be on the way back when fourth at Musselburgh and any further drying in the ground would further aid his cause. Bermeo is weighted to have a say too if the switch to Harry Fry's yard sparks a return to form.