Cartmel Racecourse Veterans' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 7m 43.43s

Via Dolorosa^b,t¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Philip Armson⁽⁵⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 132| BF

2/1

Useful in France and matched that form for current yard when landing 3m handicaps at Southwell and Fakenham in March. Back to form when runner-up both starts this month. The one to beat.

Form: 1P0P-22

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Coup De Pinceau^b³¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: T Scudamore| T: S Hosie| OR: 130

5/2

Useful chaser at best but struggled for form in the main last season for a host of different trainers. However, back up in trip he returned to winning ways in a Cheltenham hunter (32.4f) in April. Respected.

Form: 86555-1

Jerrysback²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 125

14/1

Low-mileage 10-y-o who is often let down by jumping. Hasn't gone on from his third in the Silver Cup at Ascot for Philip Hobbs, but interesting having only his third start for current trainer.

Form: F35P4-6

Ballyrath^p⁴⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 10-11| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: G Hanmer| OR: 115

7/2

Defied a lengthy absence at big odds when scoring at Wetherby (24.2f) in January and best effort since back there in March. Not in the same form on quicker ground at Haydock last time.

Form: 4/1PP25-

Flying Verse^b,t⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-3| J: B S Hughes| T: David Dennis| OR: 107

4/1

Successful in handicaps at Bangor (3m) and Kelso (26.2f) last summer but lost his way during the rest of the campaign. Continued below his best despite finishing second of 5 at Newton Abbot 5 days ago.

Form: 3PF54-2

Forecasts

Via Dolorosa (2/1), Coup De Pinceau (5/2), Ballyrath (7/2), Flying Verse (4/1), Jerrysback (14/1)

This looks a good opportunity for VIA DOLOROSA to return to winning ways following his recent runner-up efforts. Of the rest, Jerrysback is well handicapped on old form and could yet do better for Ben Haslam, while Coup de Pinceau arrives here on the back of a hunter victory.