Unibet Middle Distance Series Veterans' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 5m 7.85s

Knappers Hill⁴³

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Freddie Gingell| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 145| D

9/2

Smart, prolific winning hurdler who landed a Grade 2 novice on second chase start at Wincanton (20.1f) in November 2023. Off 2 years but confirmed he retains a useful level of form this term, looking stretched by the trip when third in Rowland Meyrick on Boxing Day. This rates more suitable.

Form: 3121/43

Le Milos^p³⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-9| J: Harry Atkins⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 140| CD

7/2

Landed this race 12 months ago and tasted success in similar company at Fakenham (24.2f) in May. Low-key efforts first 3 starts back this campaign but big step back in right direction when runner-up in veterans' handicap at Sandown (24.2f) 5 weeks ago. Well in the mix again in refitted cheekpieces.

Form: 4-15P62

Fugitif^t,p²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-5| J: G Sheehan| T: R Hobson| OR: 136

6/1

Useful handicap chaser whose most notable success came in December Gold Cup at Cheltenham (20.6f) in 2023. Winless since, again going with zest but ultimately not threatening when fourth of 9 in handicap chase at Ascot (21.1f, soft) 21 days ago. Assessor continues to ease his grip at least.

Form: 608-554

Outlaw Peter^t²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Lorcan Williams| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 135| D

12/1

Enjoyed a fruitful first campaign over fences in 2023/24, winning 3 times. However, seen only twice last season and he's been some way below his best in a pair of starts so far this winter. Switch to veterans' company needs to have positive effect now.

Form: 12/95-38

Guard Your Dreams^t²⁸⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Toby McCain-Mitchell⁽⁵⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 133| CD

7/2

Smart hurdler at his best who made a winning return/chase debut over C&D last winter. Largely kept good company thereafter and he ran well when runner-up in handicap chase at Uttoxeter (3m) when last seen in May. Solid record fresh and one to consider.

Form: 3474F-2

Grandeur D'ame³⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King| OR: 132

4/1

Useful chaser who isn't always the most fluent but he arrives having took a step back in the right direction when third in a Premier Handicap at Cheltenham (20.6f) on New Year's Day. Mark has eased further ahead of this if jumping holds up.

Form: 20P-F03

Lord Baddesley^t⁵²

Age: 11| Weight: 10-10| J: Ben Godfrey| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 127| D

11/1

Made a winning return in 3-runner handicap chase at Newbury (19.8f) in November but revised mark enough to anchor him since, no extra from 2 out when sixth of 9 in handicap back at Newbury 52 days ago.

Form: 483-136

Forecasts

Guard Your Dreams (7/2), Le Milos (7/2), Grandeur D'ame (4/1), Knappers Hill (9/2), Fugitif (6/1), Lord Baddesley (11/1), Outlaw Peter (12/1)

LE MILOS produced easily his most encouraging effort of the present campaign when runner-up at Sandown 5 weeks ago and now refitted with cheekpieces he's taken to build on that and make a bold bid to land this for the second season running. Top weight Knappers Hill rates a big danger with this drop back in trip a plus. Guard Your Dreams and Grandeur d'Ame aren't out of things, either.