Oddschecker Veterans' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 6m 28.07s

Twig²¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Beau Morgan⁽⁵⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 142| D

9/4

Runner-up in the Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival in 2024 but largely below par last term and ended campaign with a below-par effort in the Grand National in April. Needs to bounce back on his reappearance.

Form: 5/2P770-

Courtland⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: James Bowen| T: M Bowen| OR: 134

6/4

Scored five time over fences (at up to 23f) last season and in good nick without winning this term too. Unseated his rider 10th in 3m handicap chase at Ascot 8 days ago but a likely player off a lenient mark.

Form: 0/3232U

Only The Bold^p,t¹³³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 130| D

16/5

Had a disappointing 2023/24 for David Pipe but back on track for his new yard and bagged 15-runner handicap chase at Uttoxeter (26.1f, good) in June. Not taken lightly despite a 4 lb rise.

Form: PPP/P-31

The Big Breakaway^t,v²⁴⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: P Hanlon⁽⁵⁾| T: S Hosie| OR: 124| D

11/2

It's now 23 runs since his last win in 2020 but he signed off for last season with a solid third of 7 in handicap chase at Warwick (29.2f, good to soft) 8 months ago. No forlorn hope.

Form: P2PP23-

Non-Runners

Credo¹

Weight: 11-5| Age: 10

T: A J Honeyball J: H Cobden

Gustavian¹

Weight: 11-5| Age: 10

T: A J Honeyball J: Sam Twiston-Davies

Forecasts

Courtland (6/4), Twig (9/4), Only The Bold (16/5), Gustavian (9/2), Credo (5/1), The Big Breakaway (11/2)

None of these veterans can be dismissed but COURTLAND rates the pick at the weights and is taken to bounce back from his recent Ascot mishap and gain a deserved first win of the season. Only The Bold has started life well for Jamie Snowden and might be the danger.