Memberships At Ascot Veterans' Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 6m 4.48s

Two For Gold^p¹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 150| D

10/3

Returned better than ever last winter, successful in handicaps at Doncaster/Lingfield prior to a gallant second in Gr 1 Ascot Chase. Not at best over National fences on return and well held in handicap at the Cheltenham Festival but yard in better form now at least. Interesting down in class.

Form: 112P-50

Wishing And Hoping²⁹

Age: 13| Weight: 11-9| J: Alex Edwards| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 145| C| D

9/1

Last 2 wins have come in veterans' company, including when defying big odds in 18-runner Series Final at Sandown in January. Struggled at listed level at Kelso next time but easy to forgive that. Player.

Form: P6-2814

Ruthless Article^t²⁵²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: S Bowen| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 137

10/1

Better than ever last summer, runner-up in a valuable 3¼m listed handicap chase at Uttoxeter in June prior to going one better over the same C&D a month later. 5 lb rise fair enough but may find a few of these too strong back from an 8-month break.

Form: 3P6-U21

Larry^p,t²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: W T Kennedy| T: G & J Moore| OR: 136| CD

11/4

Decent strike rate over the years and jumped much better than usual when winning over C&D on return. Back to that level when runner-up to a subsequent winner in veterans event at Newbury last month and needs considering.

Form: 5P-1672

Run To Milan^t²²

Age: 11| Weight: 10-2| J: Alan Johns| T: V R A Dartnall| OR: 124| D

3/1

Successful at Exeter off a 8 lb higher mark last term and posted best effort of the season so far when third in a big-field veteran handicap at Sandown in January. Below par in open company there next time but expected to bounce back returned to a veterans event with yard resurgent in recent days.

Form: 10-P337

Saint Xavier^p,t⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 10-2| J: Lily Pinchin⁽³⁾| T: R Hobson| OR: 123

5/1

In good form in veterans' company this season, scoring over 25f at Haydock in November before a solid fifth of 18 at Sandown. However, below par both starts since so needs to bounce back. 1 lb out of handicap.

Form: 641598

Forecasts

Larry (11/4), Run To Milan (3/1), Two For Gold (10/3), Saint Xavier (5/1), Wishing And Hoping (9/1), Ruthless Article (10/1)

RUN TO MILAN shaped as if retaining all of his ability when third behind Wishing And Hoping in the Veterans' Series Final at Sandown and Victor Dartnall's charge is taken to come out on top this time with the yard resurgent in recent days. Two For Gold is used to keeping much better company than this so also needs considering under top weight.