14:25 Cheltenham

Friday 15 December 2023

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Unibet Middle Distance Chase Series Veterans' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 5m 17.44s

Sam Brown^b,t³⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: J J Burke| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 150| D

8/1

Rejuvenated by first-time blinkers when looking the likely winner of a 3m handicap at the Punchestown Festival in April until falling 2 out (just over 2 lengths ahead at the time). Ran poorly at Wincanton on return but blinkers back on now.

Form: 5P5FF-P

Lord Du Mesnil^p,t³³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: G Sheehan| T: R Hobson| OR: 145

4/1

None too reliable these days but he's smart when on-song and produced 3 good runner-up efforts last season. Respectable return at Sandown but drop back in trip not ideal.

Form: P2722-5

Cepage^p1²³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 137| CD

11/2

Very smart chaser at best but hasn't stood much racing in recent years and well held at Warwick last month after a year off. Headgear on.

Form: 1440/7-4

Le Ligerien^t³²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 135| D

13/2

Rejuvenated after joining this yard from Philip Hobbs last season, completing hat-trick between February & March. Left reappearance well behind when winning 4-runner veterans event at Kempton last month and player up 5 lb.

Form: 1142-P1

Top Ville Ben^h⁴⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 10-13| J: H Cobden| T: P A Kirby| OR: 135

6/1

Not the force of old but looked full of zest only for his race to end with a horrible experience at Aintree on return, falling heavily and then colliding with 2 horses in his wake. Can go well if that incident hasn't left its mark.

Form: 353P0-F

Storm Control^p,t³⁵¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-7| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 129| C

9/2

Front runner who's potentially well handicapped returning from 11 months off trying a veterans race for the first time, so of interest at a course he's won at.

Form: PP/3584-

Duc De Beauchene^p,t⁴⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-3| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 125| CD

25/1

In the form of his life back in the spring, winning staying handicaps at Wincanton and Fakenham (good second in stronger Kempton contest in between). Never involved under a patient ride after 5 months off at Aintree (25f, soft) but could leave that effort behind here.

Form: 21-214P

Up Helly Aa King^t²⁸⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 10-2| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N W Alexander| OR: 123| BF| D

12/1

Last hit the target at Doncaster in February 2022 and solid second in handicap there (3m, good) when last seen during the spring. Bit to find from out of the handicap here, however.

Form: P1/4242-

Go Steady^p,t¹⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-2| J: Tristan Durrell⁽⁵⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 121| D

8/1

Dual winner in handicap chases last season and better for return when going close back over hurdles at Uttoxeter 19 days ago. More needed back over fences from out of the handicap, however.

Form: 3612-72

Forecasts

Lord Du Mesnil (4/1), Storm Control (9/2), Cepage (11/2), Top Ville Ben (6/1), Le Ligerien (13/2), Go Steady (8/1), Sam Brown (8/1), Up Helly Aa King (12/1), Duc De Beauchene (25/1)

It could be worth chancing STORM CONTROL, who's dipped below his last winning mark on his first attempt in a veterans race. Le Ligerien looked better than ever when winning a similar event at Kempton last month and is a solid alternative, with Top Ville Ben best of the others.