14:25 Cheltenham

Friday 12 December 2025

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Unibet Middle Distance Veterans' Chase Series Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 5m 11.43s

Eldorado Allen^t,p²⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 147| C

11/4

Smart sort ended a long losing run with a bold display from the front in an 8-runner similar race at this course (20.2f, soft) 28 days ago, Up 5 lb but likely to be competitive once again.

Form: 34705-1

Fugitif^t,p²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Charlie Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: R Hobson| OR: 143| BF| CD

11/2

Has produced several good efforts here, not least when winning the December Gold Cup 2 years ago. More miss than hit since, though may have found conditions not to his liking when fifth behind Eldorado Allen here last month. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 53608-5

Le Milos³⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 141| D

15/2

Won his first start in veteran's company at Warwick in February before also scoring in a similar event at Fakenham in May. Beaten favourite at Aintree on return from summer break and little show back in open company at Bangor last time, so bounce back is required.

Form: 674-15P

Courtland³³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: S Bowen| T: M Bowen| OR: 134| BF| D

7/1

Missed all of last season but been in fine form when completing this year, placed for the fourth time when pushing subsequent Becher Chase winnter Twig close at Sandown (24.2f, good) 33 days ago. Player.

Form: 3232U2

Copperhead^t,p³⁰⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: Freddie Gingell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 134

14/1

Proved a revelation in veterans company last year, notching his fourth win of the campaign in Series Final at Market Rasen in January. Good effort when fourth at Exeter when last seen but suspicion is he'll find this trip on the sharp side returning from 10 months off.

Form: 112214-

Whistleinthedark³²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: R P McLernon| T: L Morgan| OR: 132| D

9/1

Enhanced a good record fresh returning from 4 months off when running out a decisive victor of a 5-runner handicap chase at Carlisle (20f, good to soft) 32 days ago. This tougher from 5 lb higher mark but he can't be ruled on the back of that effort.

Form: 26-1461

Torn And Frayed²²

Age: 11| Weight: 10-13| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 132| BF| CD

15/2

Jumping never been his strong suit but he rather ironically capitalised on a rival's bad mistake to notch a second victory in veterans' company at Aintree in October. Shaped as if still in goof form when runner-up at Warwick last time and he holds place claims again.

Form: 169-312

Can You Call^t²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Ben Jones| T: Evan Williams| OR: 118

7/2

Winless for well over 3 years but confirmed he retains ability when 5¾ lengths third of 8 to Eldorado Allen in handicap chase at this course (20.2f, soft, 11/2) 28 days ago. Likely requires a career best if he's to land this from 3 lb out of the weights, though.

Form: 0522-73

Non-Runners

Seddon³⁴

Weight: 11-5| Age: 12

T: J C McConnell J: Alex Harvey

Forecasts

Eldorado Allen (11/4), Can You Call (7/2), Fugitif (11/2), Courtland (7/1), Torn And Frayed (15/2), Le Milos (15/2), Whistleinthedark (9/1), Copperhead (14/1), Seddon (14/1)

ELDORADO ALLEN produced a fantastic round of jumping from the front when snapping his long losing run here last month and Joe Tizzard's grey retains with handicapping scope from a 5 lb higher mark. Courtland's latest second has already received a form boost and looks the biggest threat for the Bowen team, with Torn And Frayed completing the shortlist.