Unibet Middle Distance Series Veterans' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:17 | Winning time: 4m 50.32s

Annsam³¹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 140| D

7/2

Decent strike rate but just the one creditable effort this season and reportedly had an irregular heartbeat when pulled up at Ascot last month. Risky.

Form: 10/0P4P

Le Ligerien^t⁹⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-1| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 127| D

6/5

Took advantage of reduced mark when winning similar event at Lingfield in December, cruising clear. Potentially still on a good mark up 6 lb so looks the one to beat again.

Form: 2548-31

Spyglass Hill^t¹⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 11-0| J: C Gethings| T: F Brennan| OR: 126

14/1

A very useful 2m4f chase winner for Henry de Bromhead but lightly raced since and offered little on yard debut in Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury 17 days ago after 11 months off.

Form: 003/1P-P

The Widdow Maker^t²⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 10-8| J: Jack Tudor| T: J Tizzard| OR: 120| CD

15/8

C&D winner on debut over fences over 3 years ago. Outpaced both starts over hurdles last month after a 2-year absence. Back up in trip on return to fences now so better showing expected.

Form: 23FP/66

Non-Runners

Stoner's Choice²⁴

Weight: 11-6| Age: 10

T: F O'Brien J: J J Burke

Forecasts

Le Ligerien (6/5), The Widdow Maker (15/8), Stoner's Choice (5/2), Annsam (7/2), Spyglass Hill (14/1)

LE LIGERIEN won a similar event in good style at Lingfield in December so looks capable of defying a 6 lb rise. Stoner's Choice has proved he retains his ability over hurdles this season after a long absence so is feared most back chasing.