January 18 / 15.00 Plumpton

15.00

Heavy

Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Veterans’ Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £12146.3
  • 3m 1f 152y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Veterans’ Handicap Chase

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 4-62P7 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 12st 2lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Pulled up at Haydock in November and there was no return to peak form at Market Rasen on Boxing Day; however, before those he was a good second off this mark at Carlisle (3m2f, soft) in October and he won this last year (good to soft); not written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

12th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 4

13:25 Huntingdon

Innisfree Lad

11st 2lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: David Dennis

Thorough stayer with nine wins on his CV; not an easy one to predict nowadays and failed to build upon his encouraging seasonal debut when never dangerous at Chepstow last month but has his headgear switched today and is too well handicapped to rule out.

11/2

5th

5

12th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 4

13:25 Huntingdon

Innisfree Lad

11st 2lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: David Dennis

Thorough stayer with nine wins on his CV; not an easy one to predict nowadays and failed to build upon his encouraging seasonal debut when never dangerous at Chepstow last month but has his headgear switched today and is too well handicapped to rule out.

11/2

7

11th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

17:30 Chepstow

Innisfree Lad

11st 10lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: David Dennis

Veteran with nine wins to his name and, with cheekpieces back on, he ran well for a long way at Warwick 17 days ago (good to soft); that was encouraging after a lengthy break but he's no certainty to be as good again.

10/1

Form: 8-3414 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 12st 1lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Six-time course winner who scored at Sandown (3m, good) last month and was a fair fourth in the Sussex National here (3m4f, soft) a fortnight ago; solid candidate.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

10th Mar 2025

Good

3m 1f 152y

Class 4

16:30 Plumpton

I See You Well

11st 3lb

J: Daniel Sansom

T: Seamus Mullins

raced in last but in touch with leaders, went second and 13th, hit 4 out, soon weakened

8/1

Form: 22-542 D

Last run: 61 days

W: 12st 0lb

13 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
13yo who has been beaten ten times since his last win in March 2021, but he ran well when second at Catterick (3m1f, soft) in November on his second stable start, when clear with in-form winner; respected back up 3lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

5

19th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

3m 4f 21y

Class 3

14:40 Cheltenham

Potters Legend

11st 11lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Charlie Longsdon

Teenager who was placed on two of first five starts for Charlie Longsdon, more recently when third off 2lb higher at Doncaster (3m, good) last month; on the retreat when falling at Newbury last time but will be fine over today's trip and has a pretty good record at Cheltenham; shortlisted.

16/1

11

25th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 86y

Class 3

17:00 Newbury

Potters Legend

11st 1lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Charlie Longsdon

Couple of respectable efforts this season, the latest when 6l away over 3m at Doncaster; looks to have nothing in hand of his current mark but brings each-way claims.

11/1

3rd

1

3rd Mar 2023

Good

2m 7f 214y

Class 3

15:10 Doncaster

Potters Legend

12st 0lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Charlie Longsdon

13yo who was soundly beaten at Wincanton last month but that was a 0-135 and he's back down in grade here; good second at Catterick (3m1f, soft) two starts ago on his second stable start and he's also effective on good ground; could have a part to play.

8/1

Form: 524P-P

Last run: 66 days

W: 11st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
He's well treated on last season's best form, including a second over C&D; he may have needed his reappearance at Fontwell in November, when hampered by a faller as well, but he also struggled on his final two runs last season; needs to get back on track in a change of headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

25th Jan 2023

Soft

3m 1f 54y

Class 4

13:45 Catterick

Admiral Barratry

12st 2lb

J: Eddie Edge

T: Lucy Wadham

held up in rear, pushed along 8th, ridden and became detached 13th

9/1

8

13th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

3m 3f 149y

Class 3

14:05 Fontwell

Admiral Barratry

11st 2lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Lucy Wadham

held up in rear, hampered by faller 10th, reminders with one circuit to go, headway after 13th, ridden after 14th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out (usual 4 out)

14/1

Form: 122P3/ CD

Last run: 667 days

W: 11st 3lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Progressive on soft ground in winter 2020-21 (including C&D win) and he's well handicapped on that form; he's one to watch in the betting but has been off since two heavy defeats at the end of that season and it's a hefty absence to defy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

31st Dec 2024

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:20 Warwick

Special Acceptance

11st 7lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Billy Aprahamian

pressed leader, led before 2 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on

5/4

1st

4

31st Dec 2024

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:20 Warwick

Special Acceptance

11st 7lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Billy Aprahamian

pressed leader, led before 2 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on

5/4

2nd

4

12th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 4

13:25 Huntingdon

Special Acceptance

11st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Billy Aprahamian

Has very modest 1-31 career strike-rate but was clear second to a big improver on last month's seasonal/stable at Uttoxeter (3m, good to soft) and is also suited by this C&D; leading contender.

6/4

Form: P51-PF CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 3lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Pulled up on reappearance at Wincanton last month and he was a mid-race faller there on Boxing Day; there's a question mark regarding current form but he's just 2lb higher than when making virtually all to win over C&D (good) last January, and he's won on heavy ground; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

4

30th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

3m 2f 57y

Class 5

15:20 Taunton

Putdecashonthedash

11st 9lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Keiran Burke

Defied a 17lb higher mark nearly two years ago but has shown precious little in the meantime.

16/1

6th

8

12th Dec 2023

Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

14:15 Wincanton

Putdecashonthedash

10st 9lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Keiran Burke

Has dropped to a mark 12lb lower than when winning at Plumpton in January 2022 but this 10yo has struggled subsequently.

50/1

Form: 12-272

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 3lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Close second of three on reappearance at Warwick (3m, good) and bounced back from lesser run at Cheltenham when runner-up at Taunton (3m2f, good) last month; has won on soft/heavy ground and could be in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

13

28th Apr 2023

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

20:10 Chepstow

Trixster

10st 13lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

Respectable minor honours in three of his first four starts this season but well beaten next time and jumping proved his undoing on latest; now switches back from chasing to his first hurdle run since last April; 7lb lower than his chase mark and also wears headgear for the first time.

12/1

6

9th Mar 2023

Good

3m 1f 30y

Class 3

13:30 Wincanton

Trixster

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Tim Vaughan

didn't jump well, held up in rear, blundered and unseated rider 11th

6/1

6th

2

21st Feb 2023

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 4

15:00 Taunton

Trixster

11st 13lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Tim Vaughan

held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, not fluent 11th, ridden after 5 out, mistake 4 out, made no impression

7/2

Abandoned

Form: 63-17P D

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Defied a 508-day absence to make a winning stable debut at Ffos Las (3m, soft) in November; every chance he'll pop up with another big run at some point but he's inconsistent and has been well beaten the last twice.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

13th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

3m 4f 85y

Class 3

15:25 Taunton

Alminar

10st 8lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Returned from 508-day absence to make winning stable debut at Ffos Las (3m, soft) in November but his form has nosedived since, and it's hard to predict whether he'll warm to the task here.

33/1

9

3rd Feb 2023

Good To Soft

3m 2f 54y

Class 4

15:30 Chepstow

Alminar

11st 7lb

J: Adam Wedge

T: Evan Williams

Became more miss than hit for Nigel Hawke; absent 508 days before winning at Ffos Las (soft; 1lb higher today) in November at his first attempt for new yard but he's taken major backward steps in his two starts since.

16/1

Form: /62-5P C

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 13lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Soft-ground course winner who was runner-up over C&D (good to soft) in December 2021 and is now 5lb lower; however, following an absence he struggled on his two starts towards the end of last year; something to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

31st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 7f 110y

Class 5

13:45 Lingfield

Mister Murchan

10st 12lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Richard Rowe

2-21 over fences, the latest win in January 2021; twice a runner-up on heavy ground last March but pulled up both starts since; probably needed the run last time after 235 days off and he now has a career-low mark, but others are more persuasive.

33/1

6

31st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 7f 110y

Class 5

13:45 Lingfield

Mister Murchan

10st 12lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Richard Rowe

2-21 over fences, the latest win in January 2021; twice a runner-up on heavy ground last March but pulled up both starts since; probably needed the run last time after 235 days off and he now has a career-low mark, but others are more persuasive.

33/1

4

10th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 5f 135y

Class 5

14:30 Fontwell

Mister Murchan

11st 8lb

J: James Davies

T: Richard Rowe

Twice a runner-up on heavy ground in March, including here, and probably found the good ground too lively when pulled up back here in April; has the ability to figure but has tended to need his first run back from a break in the past.

10/1

Verdict

The 13yo POTTERS LEGEND was a good second at Catterick last time on his second outing for Charlie Longsdon and can return to winning ways. Six-time course winner I See You Well is second choice, while Trixster has run a couple of good races in defeat this season and could also be involved.[Ben Hutton]

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Trixster

SPOTLIGHT:

Potters Legend

RP Ratings:

Innisfree Lad

WEST COUNTRY:

Putdecashonthedash

Daily Mail:

I See You Well

POSTDATA:

Admiral Barratry

The Times:

Trixster

The Guardian:

Trixster

D Express:

Trixster

Daily Record:

Trixster

The Star:

Innisfree Lad

Telegraph:

Potters Legend

Daily Mirror:

Potters Legend

The Sun:

Potters Legend