Jilly Cooper Veterans' Handicap Chase

Runner-up in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham in 2024/25. Raced only twice last season and didn't shape with much encouragement after 10 months off at Market Rasen, but some of his best performances have come around here.

Not entirely straightforward (has given trouble at start/pulled hard) but his record for this yard is hard to fault, adding another win to his tally at Market Rasen in June. Good fourth under top weight in Summer Plate there following month and needs considering back in veterans company.

Decent strike rate and responded well to first-time headgear when winning 17-runner veterans event (Series Final) at Haydock in April. Ran another solid race just 11 days later there and likely player back at this level on return.

Not the same force these days but landed a pair of small-field hunters in the spring and best effort since his peak days when making a winning return back in open company at Perth 4 weeks ago. Needs considering tackling a veterans event for the first time.

Went a long time without a win after landing the 2020 Reynoldstown at Ascot but has proved a revelation in veterans company, scoring for a fourth time at Newbury in February. Needed his comeback run here last season, however.

Unreliable chaser who sprang a 33/1 surprise in last season’s December Gold Cup over C&D. Pulled up next 4 starts before making all at Uttoxeter in May. All the better for return (over hurdles) when sixth at Ascot and capable of making an impact tackling a veterans event for the first time.

A dual winner last season, including over 2m at this meeting in open company, and made it 2 from 2 in completed starts in veteran events at Market Rasen on return. Likely to make another bold bid.

Front runner who won a similar event at Fakenham in May but ran poorly in the Summer Cup at Uttoxeter when last seen in this sphere. Arrives here fit after a spell over hurdles (better over fences).