13:35 Chepstow

Friday 13 October 2023

All13:3514:1014:4815:2315:5816:3317:08

Unibet Veterans' Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:36 | Winning time: 6m 12.3s

Aye Right²³⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Ryan Mania| T: H Graham & G Rutherford| OR: 150| D

9/2

Very smart chaser who ran well in face of stiff task when fourth in Grade 1 Ascot Chase on his final start last term. Handicapper has afforded him a chance ahead of return (1 lb below last winning mark) and his record fresh is a positive one. Respected.

Form: 39/2P44-

Thomas Darby^t¹⁸²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-13| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 149| D

11/2

Smart hurdler who is lightly raced over fences and opened his account in this sphere in 4-runner handicap at Ayr (3m, soft) in February, asserting final 100 yds. Struggled to make an impact in Aintree Grade 1 final start but this more suitable on return.

Form: 4/23615-

De Rasher Counter²²³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-4| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 140| D

8/1

Landed Ladbrokes Trophy in 2019 and confirmed he retains ability late last year, runner-up in veterans' company at Warwick (3m) in November. Mixed bag thereafter but he returns from 7 months off with yard amongst the winners, so interesting what the market makes of him.

Form: U/520F4-

Landofsmiles^p⁴⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 137| CD

10/1

C&D winner who has built up a good strike rate over fences, making it 3 wins from 5 starts for the current campaign at Cartmel (25.5f) 46 days ago, finding extra. Evidently in rude health but this undoubtedly tougher from career-high mark.

Form: 3/1F511

Cyclop^p,t¹⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 10-12| J: Theo Gillard| T: David Dennis| OR: 134| CD

25/1

C&D winner who proved he still has plenty to offer when rattling off a quick-fire hat-trick of veterans' handicaps last spring. Failed to complete final 2 starts but produced a promising comeback display when second of 5 at Perth (23.8f, heavy) 16 days ago. Usual cheekpieces go back on now.

Form: 111FP-2

Danny Kirwan^p¹⁶⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 133| DWS

7/1

All wins on right-handed tracks (at up to 21f) but posted best effort of last term when runner-up at Ascot (23.8f) 12 months ago. Some way below best at Kempton (3m) in May but on a competitive mark if able to put it all together on return following wind surgery.

Form: 51/22F-7

Good Boy Bobby¹⁶⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 132| C| D

9/4

Successful twice at Wetherby during 2021/22 campaign, including the Rowland Meyrick. Not added to his tally since but well handicapped as a result and makes his reappearance with his yard having made an excellent start. Possibilities.

Form: 74P04-5

Cap Du Nord^p¹⁰³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-6| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams| OR: 128| D

14/1

Back to winning ways in valuable event at Ascot in February and best effort thereafter when third at Uttoxeter (3m) in May. Never figured in Summer Cup on final start in July and whilst his mark is easing, it's possible this run will bring him on.

Form: 2190-30

Chirico Vallis^p,t¹³⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 10-5| J: R P McLernon| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 127| CD

12/1

Lightly raced over fences for his age and shaped well when third behind Cyclop in similar company at Newbury (23.4f, soft) back in March. Reportedly finished lame when well beaten at Cartmel (29.4f) in May but C&D winner can't be ruled out from a potentially handy mark on return.

Form: 3P/303-6

Non-Runners

Court Master³⁸

Weight: 10-2| Age: 10

T: N P Mulholland J: Adam Wedge

Forecasts

Good Boy Bobby (9/4), Aye Right (9/2), Thomas Darby (11/2), Danny Kirwan (7/1), De Rasher Counter (8/1), Court Master (10/1), Landofsmiles (10/1), Chirico Vallis (12/1), Cap Du Nord (14/1), Cyclop (25/1)

The highly admirable AYE RIGHT went winless in just a handful of starts last term, albeit not disgraced in face of a stiff task when fourth in the Grade 1 Ascot Chase on his final start. Given a chance by the assessor on return, he could be worth chancing to come out on top back in calmer waters. Nigel Twiston-Davies has his string in fine fettle and his Good Boy Bobby is a big threat on his seasonal bow. Landofsmiles and Cyclop complete the shortlist.