15:15 Haydock

Saturday 30 March 2024

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

Unibet Middle Distance Veterans' Handicap Chase Finale

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 5m 29.5s

Pink Legend¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 136| D

20/1

Built on her return when landing 5-runner listed mares event at Newbury (23.4f) in December. Shaped a bit better than the result suggests when fourth at Doncaster 9 days later but has been most disappointing since.

Form: 414FP9

Le Ligerien^t⁴⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-9| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 131| C| D

12/1

Built up an impressive strike rate for present yard, adding small-field C&D veterans' chase to his tally at Kempton in November. Has remain in good form since, fading only on the run-in at Sandown (15.4f) last time. Back up in trip.

Form: 2-P1325

Riders Onthe Storm^p,t²⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: G Sheehan| T: R Hobson| OR: 130| D

15/2

High-class chaser in his pomp who has struggled since his Old Roan success on last season's reappearance, but looked rejuvenated following a breathing operation when second in 5-runner handicap at Doncaster (16.4f) 4 weeks ago. Player back up in trip.

Form: 0772-32

Numitor¹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: H Main| OR: 129

10/3

Useful handicap chaser who shaped as if retaining bags of enthusiasm under a positive ride after 11 months off when fourth in 7-runner handicap chase at Exeter (19.2f, heavy) 11 days ago. On a good mark and one to be interested in with that behind him.

Form: 3P32P-4

Top Ville Ben^h⁴²

Age: 12| Weight: 11-6| J: R T Dunne| T: P A Kirby| OR: 128| C

12/1

12-y-o who returned to form granted a soft lead when second in 4-runner veterans' handicap at Aintree (19.9f) in December. Not disgraced in a top-end Irish handicap next time and possibly found the race coming too soon when pulled up over C&D less than 2 weeks later.

Form: 0-FP28P

Champagne Mystery^t³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 127| D

11/2

Campaigned exclusively in France in recent years, prior to finishing fifth of 13 in a strong Cheltenham (20.6f) handicap on first start since rejoining Tom George. Went some way to confirming the promise of that run when third at Kempton last month and holds leading claims.

Form: F94253

Dubai Days^h,t²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Bruce Lynn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 125| D

9/2

Avoided mistakes when opening his account for the season in 5-runner handicap chase at Ayr (20.5f, good) 21 days ago. Should remain competitive following a small rise providing his jumping holds up.

Form: 565421

Thor De Cerisy^p,t¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 122

7/2

Has improved with each run for current yard and gained compensation for a late fall at Uttoxeter in January when bolting up at Chepstow (19.4f) in February. Left with a simple task when following up there (19.4f) 13 days ago and is respected on his first foray into veterans company.

Form: 745F11

Daly Tiger^v1¹¹²

Age: 11| Weight: 10-10| J: J Kington| T: L Morgan| OR: 118| D

33/1

Very smart chaser in his pomp for Noel Meade. Fallen long way in the weights without threatening for present stable, finishing hollow second behind a facile winner here (16.3f) in November prior to pulling up at Aintree. Easily passed over in a first-time visor.

Form: 80P-42P

Non-Runners

Francky Du Berlais⁵⁰

Weight: 11-12| Age: 11

T: P & M Bowen J: James Bowen

Forecasts

Numitor (10/3), Thor De Cerisy (7/2), Dubai Days (9/2), Champagne Mystery (11/2), Riders Onthe Storm (15/2), Le Ligerien (12/1), Top Ville Ben (12/1), Francky Du Berlais (16/1), Pink Legend (20/1), Daly Tiger (33/1)

NUMITOR shaped with bags of enthusiasm on his recent return at Exeter and, having slipped to further in the weights, he makes a fair amount of appeal. Champagne Mystery shaped very well in a hot Cheltenham handicap on his penultimate start and is a big player on his first foray into veterans company, with Riders Onthe Storm also feared following an encouraging run at Doncaster 4 weeks ago.