Unibet Middle Distance Series Veterans' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 5m 16.99s

Danny Kirwan^p³¹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 131| C| D

11/8

Runner-up both completed starts last season but folded tamely on his return from summer break when fifth of 9 in handicap chase at Chepstow (23.6f, good to soft, 7/1) 31 days ago. Not the most resolute but he won't be inconvenienced by this drop in trip.

Form: 1/22F-75

Le Ligerien^t³¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-13| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 130

6/1

Rejuvenated after joining this yard from Philip Hobbs last season, completing hat-trick between February & March. Ran no sort of race back hurdling at Chepstow last time but he may be sharper now.

Form: 11142-P

Hatcher⁵⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 123

7/2

One-time smart chaser gave positive signs on a couple of occasions during is the summer. Potentially well handicapped on pick of even recent form and rates as an interesting runner dropped into veteran company for the first time

Form: 3P-3244

Deyrann de Carjac^p²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 121| BF| D

5/2

Smart type at best but is winless since 2019 and failed to justify strong support when fifth of 6 in handicap chase at Wetherby (19.4f, good) 26 days ago. Interesting to see whether market speaks favourably again with cheekpieces back on.

Form: 6/2585-5

Non-Runners

Magic Dancer¹¹

Weight: 11-1| Age: 11

T: Kerry Lee J: R Patrick

Fairway Freddy²¹

Weight: 10-6| Age: 10

T: N J Gifford J: Tabitha Worsley

Forecasts

Danny Kirwan (11/8), Deyrann de Carjac (5/2), Hatcher (7/2), Le Ligerien (6/1), Magic Dancer (8/1), Fairway Freddy (12/1)

Not a particularly deep veterans' event. HATCHER is down a very workable mark and makes most appeal on the strength of his efforts in the summer. Le Ligerien is another player back over fences, whilst Danny Kirwan is also capable of getting involved on the pick of last season's form.