15:00 Exeter

Sunday 9 February 2025

All13:3014:0014:3015:0015:3316:0816:43

TrustATrader Apply Today Veterans' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 6m 22.81s

Does He Know^p⁵⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 149| D

9/2

Smart chaser who returned to form when landing the Grimthorpe in first-time headgear at Doncaster in the spring. Best effort since when fourth there 8 weeks ago and very much strikes as the type to do well in veterans company.

Form: 51P-444

Dashel Drasher⁵⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: Rex Dingle| T: J Scott| OR: 147| D

9/2

Tough and likeable sort who has won some very good races over hurdles/fences over the years. First run over fences for almost 2 years when third in the 1965 Chase at Ascot and built on that when fourth in veterans event at Cheltenham. Return to further will suit and he's very much a player.

Form: 3487-34

Cloudy Glen²³

Age: 12| Weight: 11-6| J: S Bowen| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 141

18/1

Hard to predict but talented on his day, as he proved when making a winning return in veterans event at Haydock in December. Below par next 2 starts, though, and others more solid.

Form: 53P-15F

Blackjack Magic^b,t⁷¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Ben Godfrey| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 135| CD

10/1

Returned with success in the Badger Beer at Wincanton last season though has plenty to prove now having shaped as if amiss both starts this term.

Form: 145FP-P

Copperhead^p,t²³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-0| J: Freddie Gingell⁽³⁾| T: J Tizzard| OR: 135| C| D

5/1

Is having an excellent season and recorded his fourth win of the campaign in veterans event (Series Final) at Market Rasen last month, keeping on gamely. Only 2 lb higher here so likely to make another bold bid.

Form: 111221

Ask Me Early^p,t²⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 10-7| J: Bryan Carver| T: H Fry| OR: 128| CD

12/1

Won this race off same mark last year but has struggled since, including both starts this season.

Form: 9185-5P

Gustavian^t⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 126| CD

4/1

Losing run is mounting up but he posted a very good close second at Aintree on Boxing Day. Got no further than the second at Sandown last week but claims if over that heavy fall.

Form: 43-3P2F

Credo^t,v1²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: H Cobden| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 122| C| D

5/1

Just respectable efforts at best this season but she's on a winning mark and is tacking veterans company for the first time, so not taken lightly in a change of headgear.

Form: 65-3444

Forecasts

Gustavian (4/1), Dashel Drasher (9/2), Does He Know (9/2), Credo (5/1), Copperhead (5/1), Blackjack Magic (10/1), Ask Me Early (12/1), Cloudy Glen (18/1)

GUSTAVIAN is potentially well handicapped dropped into veteran company for the first time so should make a bold bid if over his heavy fall at Sandown last week. Copperhead is an obvious threat having won the Series Final at Market Rasen, with Dashel Drasher and Does He Know also considered.