Racing To School Conditional Jockeys' Veterans' Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:08 | Winning time: 6m 35.7s

Back On The Lash^p²⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 12-2| J: Daire James McConville⁽⁵⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 122

12/1

Dual Cross-Country winner at Cheltenham who returned to form when third back there in November. However, his record is distinctly patchy and already losing his position when unseating in race won by Skyhill at Kelso (26.2f) 24 days ago. Cheekpieces back on but he's hard to predict.

Form: 08-P03U

Champagnesuperover^t²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: Beau Morgan⁽³⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 117| CD

10/11

Dual chase winner around 3m in spring 2022 (including over C&D). Lightly raced since and didn't find race run to suit when third of 8 in handicap chase at Leicester (20.1f) 25 days ago, never on terms with front 2. One to consider back up in trip.

Form: 4-F40U3

Rostello^b²²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: Luke Scott| T: Mrs Stella Barclay| OR: 102

16/1

Not straightforward but put it all together under a good ride when winning 4-runner Southwell handicap in April. Took little interest there following month, however, and well held both starts upon joining present yard. Hard to warm to at present.

Form: 821-P75

Skyhill^t²⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 10-8| J: Charlie Maggs| T: Mrs A C Hamilton| OR: 100| CD

7/2

Veteran C&D winner who ended last season in a lull but bounced right back to best after 8 months off when winning 8-runner handicap chase at Kelso (26.2f) 24 days ago, switch to front running serving him well. Definite possibilities up 6 lb.

Form: 54584-1

Mister Bells^p⁶¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-8| J: Emma Smith-Chaston| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 100| CD

20/1

Took advantage of a much-reduced mark having his first start in veterans' company in this race last season. Well below his best in pair of starts this winter, detached for most of the way when last of 3 returned to this C&D in November.

Form: 3133-P3

Siberian Star^p,t¹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-6| J: Shane Fenelon| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 98

4/1

Point winner who has offered plenty over hurdles for new yard, plugging on when fifth of 11 in handicap at Ffos Las (20f, heavy) 11 days ago. Not discounted back over fences/returned to this longer trip.

Form: 1U7425

Forecasts

Champagnesuperover (10/11), Skyhill (7/2), Siberian Star (4/1), Back On The Lash (12/1), Rostello (16/1), Mister Bells (20/1)

C&D winner CHAMPAGNESUPEROVER didn't shape at all badly with a view to stepping back up to this trip when third at Leicester, and Olly Murphy's 10-y-o is selected to strike having fallen to a career-low mark. Skyhill benefited from positive tactics when winning on return at Kelso and he's feared, as is Siberian Star back over larger obstacles.