November 30 / 15.07 Haydock

15.07

Soft

Jewson Widnes Veterans’ Handicap Chase (Leg 12 Of The Veterans’ Chase Series)

  • Prize money: £13007.5
  • 3m 1f 125y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
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Jewson Widnes Veterans’ Handicap Chase (Leg 12 Of The Veterans’ Chase Series)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 426-64

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 8lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent during last campaign and his jumping can be an issue, but he's unexposed in this visor in which he was a solid fourth at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) three weeks ago when back from a break; today's slower ground is a likely plus and he should be fine now back up in trip; on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 21y

Class 3

15:15 Cheltenham

Saint Xavier

10st 13lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Richard Hobson

Long in the tooth now and no longer the force of old; exploited some considerable help from the handicapper when winning at Haydock (3m4f, soft) just after Christmas but was well beaten next time (albeit on heavy ground) and younger rivals have much more appealing profiles.

25/1

14

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 21y

Class 3

15:15 Cheltenham

Saint Xavier

10st 13lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Richard Hobson

Long in the tooth now and no longer the force of old; exploited some considerable help from the handicapper when winning at Haydock (3m4f, soft) just after Christmas but was well beaten next time (albeit on heavy ground) and younger rivals have much more appealing profiles.

25/1

9/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 44P1-4

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 10lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Fair fourth in this last year (heavy) and he won at Doncaster (3m, soft) in February; would have gone close on recent reappearance at Kelso (2m5f, good to soft) but for a final-fence mistake and he's one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

4th Dec 2024

Heavy

3m 1f 125y

Class 2

14:45 Haydock

Up Helly Aa King

10st 10lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Two wins last season, at Ayr in January (3m, soft) and on final start at Kelso in April (2m7f, soft); off since and although these conditions suit, is likely to need the run after a break.

7/1

7

4th Dec 2024

Heavy

3m 1f 125y

Class 2

14:45 Haydock

Up Helly Aa King

10st 10lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Two wins last season, at Ayr in January (3m, soft) and on final start at Kelso in April (2m7f, soft); off since and although these conditions suit, is likely to need the run after a break.

7/1

4

15th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 3

15:30 Kelso

Up Helly Aa King

11st 5lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Veteran who remains very capable on his day, with a first and close second this season; below best last time but could bounce back from that.

9/1

14/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: F242-7 D

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
His mark continues to fall and he maybe needed the run on last month's return at Sedgefield; however, he was tailed off and needs a big turnaround; his last two wins have come over 3m6f/3m4f so further is preferable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

31st Jan 2025

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

14:45 Lingfield

The Two Amigos

11st 4lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Nicky Martin

13yo, 2lb lower today than for his win in the 2022 Welsh National (3m7f, soft); only three runs since, absent 627 days before this season but he showed that plenty of fire remains when front-running second to Saint Xavier at Haydock (3m4f) last time; that returns him to serious calculations.

8/1

4

31st Jan 2025

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

14:45 Lingfield

The Two Amigos

11st 4lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Nicky Martin

13yo, 2lb lower today than for his win in the 2022 Welsh National (3m7f, soft); only three runs since, absent 627 days before this season but he showed that plenty of fire remains when front-running second to Saint Xavier at Haydock (3m4f) last time; that returns him to serious calculations.

8/1

2nd

4

30th Dec 2024

Heavy

3m 4f 97y

Class 2

15:10 Haydock

The Two Amigos

11st 8lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Nicky Martin

5lb lower than for 2022 Welsh National win (soft) and he may have needed the run here 26 days ago, when pulled up on his first outing since March 2023; however, this 12yo needs to prove how much ability he retains.

12/1

Form: 1P0-0P CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 9lb

13 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Won this last year (heavy) and followed up here four weeks later; he's back down to his last winning mark but has struggled on his four starts since, including two this autumn; needs to turn things around.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

18th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:25 Newcastle

Blaklion

11st 11lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

disputed lead

14/1

4th

2

30th Nov 2022

Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 2

15:07 Haydock

Blaklion

11st 9lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

led, blundered 5th, pushed along and headed 4 out, weakened from 3 out

13/2

Form: U5202/ D

Last run: 595 days

W: 11st 3lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
His career has had two big interruptions and this is his first race since April 2021; good second at Cheltenham back then for Nick Williams and he returns to action off a 4lb lower mark; interesting contender on first start for Venetia Williams (who saddles two); check the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

20th May 2023

Good

3m 0f 5y

Class 4

14:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Coo Star Sivola

12st 2lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Venetia Williams

raced in second

6/1

4th

1

27th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Warwick

Coo Star Sivola

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

led, ridden before 2 out, soon headed, no extra approaching last

5/1

25

16th Mar 2023

Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 2

17:30 Cheltenham

Coo Star Sivola

10st 2lb

J: Mr Gearoid Harney

T: Venetia Williams

Two-time course winner who is very well handicapped on his form for Nick Williams up to spring 2021; however, following a long absence, he's struggled to get competitive on his three runs for this yard.

66/1

OUR TIP

Form: 22111- D

Last run: 258 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 141

Form & Verdict
In the form of his life earlier this year, completing a hat-trick under Lucy Turner when winning the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival (3m2f, soft); 7lb higher here but in a weaker race, and he won on last season's reappearance; major player if at his best on this return from a break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16

12th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

15:20 Cheltenham

Chambard

10st 5lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: Venetia Williams

Won 2022 Kim Muir here (3m2f, soft) and produced career-best performance when scoring by 13l over the big Aintree fences last season (3m2f, heavy); badly out of form this term, though, and this new discipline needs to rekindle his enthusiasm; 6lb out of the handicap.

100/1

7th

1

10th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 4f 102y

Class 3

15:45 Plumpton

Chambard

12st 2lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: Venetia Williams

towards rear, headway on outer after 10th, lost ground after 15th

25/1

7th

1

10th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 4f 102y

Class 3

15:45 Plumpton

Chambard

12st 2lb

J: Miss Lucy Turner

T: Venetia Williams

towards rear, headway on outer after 10th, lost ground after 15th

25/1

Form: 0/15P- D

Last run: 353 days

W: 11st 8lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Tailed off/pulled up on final two starts last year and this is his first run since; however, he defied an absence to win a jumpers' bumper in January 2021 and is off the same mark as when scoring at Aintree (3m1f, good) that May; also effective on soft ground and he's capable of going well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

4

30th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 138y

Class 3

14:45 Musselburgh

Burbank

11st 9lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

Formerly smart chaser who came back from the doldrums with a Perth hurdles win (3m2f, good to soft) in April; pulled up in the other five of his last six starts, including on his reappearance at Bangor last month; hard to be confident but a possible player if he is allowed to dominate.

20/1

0

2

4th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 7y

Class 4

16:05 Bangor-on-Dee

Burbank

12st 1lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

raced lazily at times, prominent, lost position 7th, struggling 4 out, pulled up after 3 out

12/1

Form: 2P1/2-

Last run: 571 days

W: 10st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Absent since a good second here (2m4f, soft) in May 2021; returns on a 4lb lower mark and he's one to watch in the betting, but there's a slight doubt about today's trip and he's running without headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

17th May 2023

Soft

2m 7f 207y

Class 4

19:30 Perth

Fortified Bay

11st 11lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Veteran chaser who isn't the easiest to predict nowadays and has twice been pulled up since scoring at Kelso (2m6f) in January; he reverts to hurdles with something to prove.

14/1

1

15th Apr 2023

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

13:55 Chepstow

Fortified Bay

12st 2lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Made all to cause 20-1 surprise at Kelso (2m5f, heavy) in January but performed poorly on other four of five starts since returning from long layoff this season, and it's hard to predict whether he'll warm to the task.

14/1

5

22nd Mar 2023

Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 3

16:10 Haydock

Fortified Bay

11st 13lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Made all at Kelso (2m5f, heavy) in January and it's possible this trip will be within range; however, the Kelso win has been the only bright run among his four outings this season and he was tailed off last time.

16/1

Form: P72P-9

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
May have needed recent comeback at Cheltenham and his yard is in good form; second at Hereford in February but that was his sole good run last term, and it's hard to be confident given how far he was beaten last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

20th Feb 2023

Good

2m 7f 110y

Class 5

16:45 Lingfield

Another Emotion

12st 2lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Last win was off 14lb higher at Carlisle (3m, soft) but that was almost two years ago; has form figures of P9PP0 in his last five runs including a tailed-off effort back at Carlisle recently and can only be watched.

20/1

10th

1

6th Feb 2023

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 5

16:15 Carlisle

Another Emotion

12st 2lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Warren Greatrex

Defied a 9lb higher mark over C&D (soft) nearly two years ago; subsequent form is dismal apart from a placed effort last February; however, revival looks possible back here with Brian Hughes booked.

8/1

1

26th Dec 2022

Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 4

14:52 Fontwell

Another Emotion

12st 2lb

J: Dylan Kitts

T: Warren Greatrex

Dual winner at about 3m in early 2021 (heavy/soft) but his modest runs outweigh his good ones in recent times; sights are lowered today but he still has much to prove.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £24.80
Straight Forecast £20.86
Tricast £62.50
Trifecta £100.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Saint Xavier

The Times:

Coo Star Sivola

POSTDATA:

Up Helly Aa King

The Guardian:

Chambard

Telegraph:

Burbank

The Star:

Blaklion

Daily Mirror:

Up Helly Aa King

Daily Record:

Chambard

RP Ratings:

Saint Xavier

TOPSPEED:

Saint Xavier

WEST COUNTRY:

Saint Xavier

The Sun:

Saint Xavier

Daily Mail:

Coo Star Sivola

D Express:

Coo Star Sivola