Virgin Bet Old Roan Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 5m 1.89s

Ahoy Senor¹⁹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 169| C| D

11/2

Top-class chaser on his day with a fine record here (Grade 1 winner over hurdles/fences) and ended last term with an excellent ½-length second of 7 in Bowl Chase at this course (25f, soft, 17/2). Record fresh not great but still warrants plenty of respect.

Form: PP4362-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Stage Star²²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 163| DWS

2/1

Won Grade 1 Golden Miller at 2023 Festival and took form up another notch with victory in Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on return last season. Can't have been right when pulled up there on New Year's Day before not disgraced in Ryanair final start. Goes well fresh so big run expected.

Form: 115/1P5-

Hitman^p,t¹⁸³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Freddie Gingell⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 157| BF| D

11/2

Failed to deliver last season but starts the new campaign off a fair mark and went close in this on his comeback 2 years ago.

Form: 6/0928-3

Minella Drama^t¹⁹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 148| D

3/1

Smart performer who returned with a good second in this 12 months ago. Just the one decent effort after but this may be the time to catch him. (1 lb out of the handicap).

Form: 3/2372P-

Unexpected Party^t¹⁹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 146

4/1

Emerged with credit against some of the top-flight British novices of 2022/23 and bounced back to best when landing Grand Annual Chase at Cheltenham last season. Might have found Red Rum coming too soon here final start and not taken lightly despite being 3 lb out of the handicap.

Form: 55491P-

Forecasts

Stage Star (2/1), Minella Drama (3/1), Unexpected Party (4/1), Hitman (11/2), Ahoy Senor (11/2)

STAGE STAR was an impressive winner of the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on his comeback run last season and this looks another good starting point for him. Minella Drama was a good second in this last year off a higher mark so may emerge as the biggest threat.