15:50 Chepstow

Friday 11 October 2024

All13:3514:1014:4515:1515:5016:2517:0017:30

Unibet Veterans' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:51 | Winning time: 6m 2.71s

Certainly Red¹⁶⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: M Goldstein| T: Mrs L Richards| OR: 137| CD

17/2

Completed a hat-trick in 2022/23 and while he didn't add to his tally last term, he ran several sound efforts in defeat, notably when fourth in bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown in April fitted with first-time cheekpieces. Headgear off for return but he's one to consider.

Form: 352P3-4

Good Boy Bobby^p¹⁸²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 133| CD

11/4

Back-to-back winner over 3m this time last year, including this race on return to action. Found the Topham too competitive when last seen in April but returns with stable in red-hot form.

Form: 117350-

Enrilo^p¹⁶⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: Jay Tidball⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 132| DWS

11/1

Smart at his peak and posted best effort for a while when chasing home emphatic winner Inis Oirr in the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh (31.4f) in February. Mid-field at Sandown final start but this is easier and he's had a breathing op ahead of reappearance.

Form: 6F/423-0

Francky Du Berlais^p,t¹³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-9| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 132| D

13/2

Cracking servant to connections, dual Summer Plate winner at Market Rasen and he cashed in on an easier assignment when making all back at that venue a fortnight ago. Dominating this field a different ask but he's clearly in good order.

Form: 334501

Diol Ker¹⁶⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 129| D

20/1

Campaigned almost exclusively over fences in recent seasons for Gordon Elliott, shaping like a non-stayer over 31f on final start for that yard in May. This trip more suitable and he's been given a chance by the assessor for new yard. Can make the odd mistake.

Form: 8760P7-

Amateur^p¹⁴⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-4| J: C Brace| T: J L Flint| OR: 127| C

28/1

Enhanced excellent Ffos Las record when landing 11-runner handicap in May. Off since and overall profile suggests he's far from certain to be in that form.

Form: 10PPP-1

Wayfinder^p¹³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: Ben Jones| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 124| CD

5/2

Capable staying chaser when the mood takes, as he demonstrated with creditable placed efforts in the first half of last season. Quickly into his shell again since and others more reliable.

Form: F2PP9-4

Strictlyadancer¹⁵⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams| OR: 119| D

20/1

Won 3 on the bounce over fences during 2021/22. Missed the following season and record since patchy to say the least. Was in the process of showing a bit more when crumpling on landing at Fontwell in May.

Form: 402P7-F

Copperhead^p,t¹⁵²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: Freddie Gingell⁽³⁾| T: J Tizzard| OR: 117| D

5/1

Finally cashed in on much-reduced mark in 4-runner contest at Plumpton, his first success since 2020. Prone to mistakes and this is a deeper race.

Form: 33344-1

Ballywood^t³³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: G Howell| OR: 105

150/1

Useful chaser at his peak for Alan King but well beaten so far over both sets of obstacles for this yard and he's out of the weights here.

Form: 543/005

Non-Runners

The Two Amigos⁵⁷³

Weight: 11-2| Age: 12

T: Nicky Martin J: Sean Houlihan

Forecasts

Wayfinder (5/2), Good Boy Bobby (11/4), Copperhead (5/1), Francky Du Berlais (13/2), Certainly Red (17/2), Enrilo (11/1), Strictlyadancer (20/1), The Two Amigos (20/1), Diol Ker (20/1), Amateur (28/1), Ballywood (150/1)

GOOD BOY BOBBY won this race from just 1 lb lower a year ago and returns with yard in tremendous order, so a bold repeat bid looks firmly on the cards. Enrilo (on the back of a breathing op) and Certainly Red contested a much better race than this at Sandown when last seen in the spring and head the opposition.