December 26 / 12.30 Aintree

12.30

Soft

Unibet Middle Distance Series Veterans’ Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £15609
  • 2m 3f 200y
  • Class 2
  • 4 runners
RTV
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Unibet Middle Distance Series Veterans’ Handicap Chase

Runners: 4 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £6.50

Form: 631/P- D

Last run: 430 days

W: 11st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Absent since pulled up over hurdles in October 2022; won the Topham here that April and not ruled out on this return to action, but he remains 8lb higher than for that win and needs to be at the very top of his game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

23

13th Apr 2024

Heavy

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Mac Tottie

10st 9lb

J: James Bowen

T: Peter Bowen

Probably acts on heavy; won twice at 2m5f over these fences in the 2021-2022 season but fell at the Chair when he tried 3m2f that December; also pulled up in that season's Welsh National and his successful return this winter from a long layoff was at 2m4f (not so good since); that leaves a big question mark over his stamina, to set against his trainer's good record at this meeting.

50/1

23

13th Apr 2024

Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

15:00 Aintree

Mac Tottie

10st 9lb

J: James Bowen

T: Peter Bowen

Probably acts on heavy; won twice at 2m5f over these fences in the 2021-2022 season but fell at the Chair when he tried 3m2f that December; also pulled up in that season's Welsh National and his successful return this winter from a long layoff was at 2m4f (not so good since); that leaves a big question mark over his stamina, to set against his trainer's good record at this meeting.

50/1

3

24th Mar 2024

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

16:30 Ascot

Mac Tottie

11st 12lb

J: James Bowen

T: Peter Bowen

Tailed off over hurdles at Doncaster three weeks ago but chasing is his game nowadays and he won at Aintree (2m4f, soft) on Boxing Day when back from a long absence; stayed this far earlier in his career and has won on good/good to soft; not discounted now back over fences.

10/1

Form: 3P0-FP

Last run: 11 days

W: 10st 8lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Mid-race fall here on reappearance and pulled up at Cheltenham only 11 days ago; he isn't the force of old and has something to prove, but he's never run well at Cheltenham and is not discounted off a reduced mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

31st Dec 2024

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:20 Warwick

Top Ville Ben

12st 0lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Jennie Candlish

led, headed 13th, weakened after 4 out

7/2

3rd

1

31st Dec 2024

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:20 Warwick

Top Ville Ben

12st 0lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Jennie Candlish

led, headed 13th, weakened after 4 out

7/2

5th

2

9th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:30 Lingfield

Top Ville Ben

11st 12lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Jennie Candlish

Mostly struggled last season, best effort when a close second of four at Aintree (2m4f, soft) on Boxing Day but form slumped after and well held in a Class 2 at Uttoxeter (3m) in May on final start for Philip Kirby; on a good mark but needs the change of scenery to have revived him.

8/1

OUR TIP

Form: 10772- CD

Last run: 243 days

W: 10st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Failed to kick on last term after C&D win (good to soft) on reappearance, albeit campaign concluded with fair second of four at Perth (2m4f, good to soft); fine on soft; on a handy mark and goes well fresh; player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

30th Mar 2024

Heavy

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:15 Haydock

Riders Onthe Storm

11st 8lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Richard Hobson

/Just two runs this season and, following a wind op, he returned to form with a good second at Doncaster (2m, good to soft) four weeks ago; he's fine over this trip and on soft/heavy going, and is one to consider.

9/2

2nd

7

2nd Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 0f 78y

Class 2

14:35 Doncaster

Riders Onthe Storm

10st 3lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Richard Hobson

Grade 1 chase winner in 2020 but has regressed and become very inconsistent; finished remote when third of four in veterans' chase at Aintree (2m4f, soft) on Boxing Day and is not sure to be suited by today's drop back in trip; had wind surgery last month; cheekpieces refitted; others have much more persuasive profiles.

16/1

Form: 21138/

Last run: 991 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 150

Form & Verdict
Off since soundly beaten in the Topham here in April 2021; it's a huge layoff to defy but his trainer is adept at bringing one back from an absence and he's on a competitive mark if retaining his ability; check betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

26th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 3f 200y

Class 2

12:30 Aintree

Ibleo

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Off since soundly beaten in the Topham here in April 2021; it's a huge layoff to defy but his trainer is adept at bringing one back from an absence and he's on a competitive mark if retaining his ability; check betting.

15/8

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £21.00
Straight Forecast £21.54
Trifecta £33.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Riders Onthe Storm

Telegraph:

Ibleo

The Star:

Mac Tottie

RP RATINGS:

Riders Onthe Storm

TOPSPEED:

Riders Onthe Storm

POSTDATA:

Riders Onthe Storm

WEST COUNTRY:

Riders Onthe Storm

The Times:

Riders Onthe Storm

The Guardian:

Riders Onthe Storm

D Express:

Riders Onthe Storm

Daily Mirror:

Riders Onthe Storm

Daily Record:

Riders Onthe Storm

Daily Mail:

Ibleo

The Sun:

Ibleo