October 29 / 13.25 Aintree

13.25

Good To Soft

Jewson Vieux Lion Rouge Veterans’ Handicap Chase (Leg 8 Of The Veterans’ Chase Series)

  • Prize money: £18210.5
  • 3m 0f 210y
  • Class 2
  • 11 runners
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Jewson Vieux Lion Rouge Veterans’ Handicap Chase (Leg 8 Of The Veterans’ Chase Series)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 43408-

Last run: 198 days

W: 11st 1lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Below-par favourite in similar event at Warwick last November but is now 10lb lower; return to this level is suitable, having come up short at the Cheltenham/Aintree festivals last spring; attractively weighted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

31

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Celebre DAllen

10st 6lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Completed on all three attempts over these fences, easily best of those efforts when close fourth in last season's Topham (2m5f, soft); has twice won well over about 3m/3m1f, including in November on sole start this term, but today's trip is a leap in the dark and this 13yo has easily his highest mark.

100/1

31

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Celebre DAllen

10st 6lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Completed on all three attempts over these fences, easily best of those efforts when close fourth in last season's Topham (2m5f, soft); has twice won well over about 3m/3m1f, including in November on sole start this term, but today's trip is a leap in the dark and this 13yo has easily his highest mark.

100/1

OUR TIP

16/1

  • Place: £4.00

Form: 1F511P D

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Form dipped sharply in similar event at Chepstow 16 days ago when bidding for a hat-trick; even if bouncing back, current mark leaves him needing a career-best performance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

13

13th Jan 2024

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Warwick

Landofsmiles

10st 10lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Peter Bowen

Three wins last year came at a cost mark-wise and he was beaten 16l when second to Celebre D'Allen at Aintree in late October; others should be better handicapped.

20/1

2nd

3

29th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 2

13:25 Aintree

Landofsmiles

11st 7lb

J: James Bowen

T: Peter Bowen

Form dipped sharply in similar event at Chepstow 16 days ago when bidding for a hat-trick; even if bouncing back, current mark leaves him needing a career-best performance.

16/1

0

4

13th Oct 2023

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

13:35 Chepstow

Landofsmiles

11st 1lb

J: James Bowen

T: Peter Bowen

Sometimes in need of mid-race encouragement but often strong in the finish and he arrives here on a hat-trick after wins at Uttoxeter (3m2f, good) and Cartmel (3m1f, good to soft); unlike a few of these there are no wellbeing issues, but rain might be an issue as 0-13 on soft or heavy.

6/1

11/2

  • Place: £2.00

Form: /3P2-3

Last run: 176 days

W: 11st 6lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Strike-rate could be better, having scored just once since 2019, but has proved largely consistent in recent times and ran creditably at Uttoxeter when last seen; holds solid claims on veterans' chase debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

9

26th Jan 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 37y

Class 3

15:00 Sandown

Nestor Park

12st 0lb

J: Lt Billy Aprahamian

T: Ben Pauling

Usually gives his running but has a poor strike-rate over fences (1-18) and he dropped away to be beaten some 31l last time at Warwick when the subject of strong market support in first-time blinkers; one of the highest rated in here but others appeal more.

4/1

5th

16

13th Jan 2024

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Warwick

Nestor Park

10st 7lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Often runs well in defeat but he's now 1-17 over fences, having performed below his best the last twice; connections turn to blinkers (replacing cheekpieces) for some assistance; others are safer.

20/1

Form: 6380P-

Last run: 197 days

W: 10st 13lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Well treated on best Irish form; record for current stable is far from convincing, pulled up in good race here when last seen, but this switch to a veterans' event may help; market support should be noted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

20th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 1f 77y

Class 4

14:15 Bangor-on-Dee

Daly Tiger

11st 9lb

J: John Kington

T: L J Morgan

took keen hold, held up in rear, no impression before 3 out

25/1

7th

4

20th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 1f 77y

Class 4

14:15 Bangor-on-Dee

Daly Tiger

11st 9lb

J: John Kington

T: L J Morgan

took keen hold, held up in rear, no impression before 3 out

25/1

3rd

10

30th Mar 2024

Heavy

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:15 Haydock

Daly Tiger

10st 10lb

J: John Kington

T: L J Morgan

His mark continues to fall and he hinted at a revival when 20l second here (2m, soft) last November; however, pulled up at Aintree (2m4f, heavy) since and he's back to having plenty to prove; visor replaces cheekpieces.

25/1

Form: 28144- CD

Last run: 210 days

W: 12st 0lb

13 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Sound performances in the last two runnings of this race, winning in 2021 and runner-up in 2022; won the latest final of this series at Sandown (soft) in January; has solid credentials and should go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

1

29th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 2

13:25 Aintree

Wishing And Hoping

12st 0lb

J: Alex Edwards

T: Mel Rowley

Sound performances in the last two runnings of this race, winning in 2021 and runner-up in 2022; won the latest final of this series at Sandown (soft) in January; has solid credentials and should go well.

7/1

4th

2

2nd Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

16:45 Ascot

Wishing And Hoping

11st 9lb

J: Alex Edwards

T: Mel Rowley

13yo front-runner who beat a big field in the veterans final at Sandown (3m, soft; 6lb higher today) in January; outsider of four in Listed race at Kelso four weeks ago but the scale of his defeat is rather disconcerting; won in 2015 over hurdles on his only race here.

13/2

4th

5

4th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 1

15:35 Kelso

Wishing And Hoping

11st 2lb

J: Alex Edwards

T: Mel Rowley

13yo front-runner who beat a big handicap field to win the veterans' final at Sandown (3m, soft) in January; has also won on good/good to soft; vulnerable if today's opponents are at the top of their games but he can make another bold bid.

7/1

Form: /7121- D

Last run: 202 days

W: 11st 8lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Has form figures of 121 since switched to veterans' races, the good second at Newbury flanked by wins at Doncaster and Fakenham; acts on soft ground; could well have more to offer at this level; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

4th Nov 2024

Good

3m 1f 152y

Class 3

14:30 Plumpton

Boldmere

12st 0lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Pulled up on three of four appearances during very disappointing campaign last season and not an easy horse to weigh up at present but has slipped to a dangerous mark and may have been refreshed by eight-month break.

12/1

3rd

1

4th Nov 2024

Good

3m 1f 152y

Class 3

14:30 Plumpton

Boldmere

12st 0lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Pulled up on three of four appearances during very disappointing campaign last season and not an easy horse to weigh up at present but has slipped to a dangerous mark and may have been refreshed by eight-month break.

12/1

9

9th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 0f 37y

Class 3

16:10 Sandown

Boldmere

11st 7lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Pulled up twice this season but was badly hampered on reappearance and never on an even keel after early mistakes at Warwick last time; far from disgraced over 3m4f here in between; returning to 3m should suit and he's been given a big chance by the handicapper; interesting at likely lengthy odds.

16/1

Form: 353P0- D

Last run: 198 days

W: 11st 6lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Very useful chaser in his prime and showed he can still be competitive when third in warm event at Leopardstown (2m5f) last February; possibilities off same mark on first attempt in a veterans' race.
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

Form: 303-6F

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 12lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Well held in the latest final of this series but ties in with Boldmere on Newbury running next time out; early faller in similar event at Chepstow most recently; competitively handicapped granted a clear round.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

8

29th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 2

13:25 Aintree

Chirico Vallis

10st 12lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Well held in the latest final of this series but ties in with Boldmere on Newbury running next time out; early faller in similar event at Chepstow most recently; competitively handicapped granted a clear round.

10/1

0

9

13th Oct 2023

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

13:35 Chepstow

Chirico Vallis

10st 5lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Not the most consistent but he was returning from a similar break when winning over C&D at this meeting two years ago off 3lb higher; confined to only seven starts in the meantime and some of them were highly respectable.

10/1

6th

3

29th May 2023

Good

3m 5f 80y

Class 3

15:30 Cartmel

Chirico Vallis

11st 6lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

led

5/1

Form: 1427P- D

Last run: 193 days

W: 10st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft going; pulled up (bled from nose) on last appearance; however, looks an interesting contender on seasonal debut, having made a winning reappearance for the last two seasons; veterans' chase debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

11th Sep 2025

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 4

17:35 Uttoxeter

Jimmy The Digger

12st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Has dropped a long way down the weights for good reason and struggles with his consistency these days; too risky.

16/1

1

7th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:42 Worcester

Jimmy The Digger

11st 11lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Henry Daly

Rated higher in the past but not as good as he was and couldn't make the most of a soft lead in a small field at Southwell (3m, good).

20/1

3rd

3

3rd Jun 2025

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

15:00 Southwell

Jimmy The Digger

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Kept on well for second in Ludlow hunter chase (3m, good to soft) in April and will be suited by the forecast good ground here but this veteran is no longer the force of old and has become inconsistent.

11/2

Form: 90-307 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Well beaten in similar event at Chepstow 16 days ago and has a slight doubt over current form; certainly a big player if back to best, having won notable handicaps off this mark in February 2022/2023.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

21st Jun 2025

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 4

17:15 Bangor-on-Dee

Cap Du Nord

11st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Not quite a year since he won off a 20lb higher mark at Perth (3m, good); insufficient encouragement on last two stasrts, even allowing for the inadequacy of the trip, and hopes rest with the return of the cheekpieces worn for last four wins.

8/1

4th

6

23rd May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:23 Worcester

Cap Du Nord

10st 13lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Has won plenty during his career but now on the downgrade and has struggled this year; needs further as well.

10/1

4th

6

23rd May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:23 Worcester

Cap Du Nord

10st 13lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Has won plenty during his career but now on the downgrade and has struggled this year; needs further as well.

10/1

Form: 21-214 D BF

Last run: 153 days

W: 10st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Disappointing in similar event at Cartmel five months ago; in good form otherwise last spring and won the Norfolk National at Fakenham the time before; has defied this mark in the past and may bounce back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

13

13th Jan 2024

Soft

3m 5f 54y

Class 1

15:00 Warwick

Duc De Beauchene

10st 2lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Two wins last spring included 3m5f Norfolk National at Fakenham (good; used to act on soft); 2lb lower today as he's failed to fire in his four starts since; reverting to blinkers from recent cheekpieces might help.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £46.90
Straight Forecast £44.09
Tricast £172.92
Trifecta £225.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Jimmy The Digger

Daily Mirror:

Boldmere

TOPSPEED:

Nestor Park

POSTDATA:

Top Ville Ben

D Express:

Daly Tiger

WEST COUNTRY:

Duc De Beauchene

Telegraph:

Cap Du Nord

RP RATINGS:

Celebre D'Allen

The Sun:

Jimmy The Digger

Daily Record:

Boldmere

The Times:

Nestor Park

The Star:

Top Ville Ben