Bet In-Running On Racing At BetVictor Veterans' Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:40 | Winning time: 6m 31.4s

Mister Malarky^p²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Bannister| T: R Bandey| OR: 147| C

2/1

Course winner who lost his way for previous yard but back on track for present stable, filling runners-up spot on 3 of his 4 starts, latterly in veterans' company at Exeter (24.2f) 3 weeks ago. Player if turning up in same groove here.

Form: 5022-P2

De Rasher Counter²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 145| CD

5/1

Landed Ladbrokes Trophy in 2019 and confirmed he retains ability late last year, runner-up in veterans' company at Warwick (3m) in November. Best not judged too harshly on his run in Becher Chase next time and rare jumping lapse caught him out at Uttoxeter (3m) latest. Not out of things.

Form: 4U-520F

Cloth Cap^p,t³⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-2| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 135| CD

7/2

Classy stayer (won 2020 Ladbrokes Trophy over C&D) and best effort of present campaign when sixth in Becher at Aintree in December. Proved disappointing when pulled in Sky Bet Chase on latest outing in January but the handicapper continues to relinquish his grip.

Form: R3P-56P

Larry^p,t²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 135

7/2

Decent strike rate over the years and jumped much better than usual when winning 3m handicap chase at Ascot on return. Not quite in same form either outing since, mistakes creeping in when seventh in Masters Handicap at Sandown (3m) 4 weeks ago. This less competitive scenario may help in that regard

Form: 35P-167

Cyclop^p,t²⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 10-11| J: Theo Gillard⁽³⁾| T: David Dennis| OR: 130| D

6/1

Multiple winner over hurdles/fences during 2020/21 who capitalised on return to veterans' company when adding to his tally at Musselburgh (23.7f) 28 days ago, well clear last having made the running and winning easily. A repeat gives him claims from 5 lb higher.

Form: 233P41

Forecasts

Mister Malarky (2/1), Larry (7/2), Cloth Cap (7/2), De Rasher Counter (5/1), Cyclop (6/1)

Plenty of familiar faces in opposition with a chance taken on 2019 Ladbrokes Trophy hero DE RASHER COUNTER. His latest pair of efforts are best overlooked, and his previous exploits this campaign read well in the context of this race, so it would come as no surprise to see him go close. Mister Malarky, who filled the runner-up spot for the third time in his last 4 starts at Exeter recently, and Musselburgh-scorer Cyclop head the dangers.