Sri Lanka Paradise Island Veterans' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:26 | Winning time: 6m 36.20s

Lord Du Mesnil^p,t²⁰⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Lily Pinchin⁽³⁾| T: R Hobson| OR: 147

7/1

None too reliable these days but he's smart when on-song and produced 3 good runner-up efforts last season. Can go well fresh and capable of making his presence felt.

Form: 4/P2722-

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De Rasher Counter^p1³⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-3| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 136| D

10/1

Landed Ladbrokes Trophy in 2019 and showed he retains ability late last year, runner-up in veterans' company at Warwick (3m). Has struggled since, however, including on return. Headgear now applied.

Form: 520F4-6

Larry^p,t²²⁴

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

5/1

Decent strike rate over the years and jumped much better than usual when winning at Ascot on last season's return. Decent placed efforts last 2 starts in similar events in the spring so not taken lightly after 7 months off.

Form: P/16723-

Good Boy Bobby³⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 135| D

5/4

Successful twice at Wetherby during 2021/22 campaign, including the Rowland Meyrick, and first win since when capitalised on a falling mark in veterans race at Chepstow on return last month, leading again dying strides. Remains of interest in these events.

Form: 4P04-51

Cyclop^p,t³⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 11-1| J: B S Hughes| T: David Dennis| OR: 134| D

15/2

Rattled off a quick-fire hat-trick of veterans' handicaps last spring. Failed to complete next 2 starts but produced a promising comeback display at Perth and built on that when 2¼ lengths third of 9 to Good Boy Bobby at Chepstow (23.6f, good to soft) 30 days ago. 3 lb better off with winner here.

Form: 11FP-23

Elegant Escape^b,t²³²

Age: 11| Weight: 10-6| J: Harry Cobden| T: J Tizzard| OR: 125| CD

5/1

One-time very smart chaser but has lost his way. Plenty to prove on return.

Form: 1/6PP57-

Non-Runners

Court Master¹⁶

Weight: 10-6| Age: 10

T: N P Mulholland J: R P McLernon

Forecasts

Good Boy Bobby (5/4), Larry (5/1), Elegant Escape (5/1), Court Master (5/1), Lord Du Mesnil (7/1), Cyclop (15/2), De Rasher Counter (10/1)

GOOD BOY BOBBY capitalised on a falling mark on his first go in a veterans event at Chepstow on return last month and should go well again. Cyclop was only 2¼ lengths behind the selection that day and is 3 lb better off with him now, so rates the main threat ahead of Lord du Mesnil.