Best Odds Guaranteed At BetMGM Conditional Jockeys' Veterans' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 5m 19.9s

Le Ligerien^t⁴³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-13| J: Freddie Gingell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 121| D

5/2

Added another small-field chase victory to his tally at Kempton last November. Has struggled to make a real impact since but he has slipped to a dangerous mark as a consequence and this represents a drop in class for the 11-y-o.

Form: 32548-3

Top Ville Ben²¹⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: Luke Scott| T: J Candlish| OR: 120| C

5/1

Winless for well over 2 years and further signs of decline last season. Needs to get back on track starting out for new yard following a 7-month absence.

Form: P28P5-5

Bushypark^p²³⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Joe Williamson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 118| D

16/1

Inconsistent nowadays but he responded well to the first-time cheekpieces when second in a 10-runner handicap hurdle at Kelso (22.7f, good to soft) on final start of last season. Resumes in this sphere on a workable mark and and capable of playing a part if ready to roll following 7 months off.

Form: P15P62-

Thor De Cerisy^p,t⁴¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Dylan Johnston| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 118

3/1

Back-to-back winner at Chepstow in the second half of last season but he ended that campaign on a downer and started this one with another tame effort.

Form: 5F11P-0

Gallic Geordie³¹⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: Ned Fox| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 115| C

7/2

Back to winning ways at Wetherby (15.2f, heavy) last November and ran to similar level when third at Newbury the following month. Below par both subsequent starts but he boasts a very compelling record here and will have every chance if fully tuned-up.

Form: 2/51357-

Saint Xavier^t,v²²

Age: 12| Weight: 11-2| J: Callum Pritchard⁽³⁾| T: R Hobson| OR: 110| D

7/1

Has fallen a long way in the weights since registering latest success at Haydock in November 2022 but he didn't shown enough on his reappearance at Fontwell to suggest that he can take advantage of the handicapper's mercy. Visor refitted.

Form: 986/P4-5

Forecasts

Le Ligerien (5/2), Thor De Cerisy (3/1), Gallic Geordie (7/2), Top Ville Ben (5/1), Saint Xavier (7/1), Bushypark (16/1)

GALLIC GEORDIE needs to bounce back but there's a good chance that he'll do just that returned to a course where his form figures read 1112F. He may have most to fear from Le Ligerien, who looks very dangerous off this reduced mark now eased in class. Bushypark ended last season with a solid effort over hurdles and will also be a threat if able to pick up where he left off now back in this sphere.