December 15 / 14.25 Cheltenham

14.25

Soft

Unibet Middle Distance Chase Series Veterans’ Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £26015
  • 2m 4f 127y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
ITV4
View Course
Unibet Middle Distance Chase Series Veterans’ Handicap Chase

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: P5FF-P D

Last run: 34 days

W: 12st 0lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 150

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent and showed disappointingly little on reappearance; blinkers (worn on final start last term, ran well before falling two out) return; all starts since May 2021 have been over 2m7f+; player if he's on song but that can't be relied upon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 214y

Class 2

15:15 Newbury

Sam Brown

12st 0lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Anthony Honeyball

The oldest of these veterans, being a 14yo, and bare form this term leaves a question mark over whether he retains the useful ability that has been present for a long time; however, won this race off 2lb higher last year (soft) and has a good chance if back on song.

9/1

10th

1

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Sam Brown

12st 0lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Anthony Honeyball

Useful for a long time but has gained last three wins in veterans' events and, having turned 14 since November reappearance, can be opposed off current mark in this field.

20/1

Form: 2722-5

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 9lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
4-45 overall and no win since February 2021, with three of his four wins having been at Haydock and the last two at 3m4f; runner-up three times last season, including at Cheltenham (3m2f) in April, and he was not disgraced on reappearance last month; the mud holds no fears but he is surely vulnerable at this short a trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

25th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 3

16:45 Leicester

Lord Du Mesnil

11st 12lb

J: Mr David Maxwell

T: Richard Hobson

Very useful staying chaser at his best and has made the frame in both hunter chases for new owner-rider this season, more recently when third at Bangor (3m, soft) this month; won't be far away if in similar form again.

8/1

3rd

6

7th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 30y

Class 4

13:12 Bangor-on-Dee

Lord Du Mesnil

11st 12lb

J: Mr David Maxwell

T: Richard Hobson

Winless since early 2021 but has run plenty of good races in the meantime, including on his recent hunter chase debut at Warwick (3m, good to soft) when returning from a lengthy break and wind surgery; that was a stronger race than this.

7/4

3rd

6

7th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 30y

Class 4

13:12 Bangor-on-Dee

Lord Du Mesnil

11st 12lb

J: Mr David Maxwell

T: Richard Hobson

Winless since early 2021 but has run plenty of good races in the meantime, including on his recent hunter chase debut at Warwick (3m, good to soft) when returning from a lengthy break and wind surgery; that was a stronger race than this.

7/4

Form: /0/7-4 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 1lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
One of his career highlights came from the front over C&D on soft but in January 2020; seen only three times over the last two years or so, failing to show enough to be recommended; wears headgear for the first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

25th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 20y

Class 2

16:10 Perth

Cepage

11st 7lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Veteran who has been rather disappointing over 3m plus since winning a 2m4f handicap in first-time cheekpieces at Cheltenham in December (soft); slightly better in blinkers (retained) at Cheltenham last week (3m2f, good) but needs to do even better.

9/1

3rd

2

25th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 20y

Class 2

16:10 Perth

Cepage

11st 7lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Veteran who has been rather disappointing over 3m plus since winning a 2m4f handicap in first-time cheekpieces at Cheltenham in December (soft); slightly better in blinkers (retained) at Cheltenham last week (3m2f, good) but needs to do even better.

9/1

8th

3

17th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 2

16:25 Cheltenham

Cepage

11st 7lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Rejuvenated by first-time cheekpieces when winning veterans' chase by 7l here (2m4f, soft) in December but looked out of sorts when pulled up on next three outings; blinkers given a whirl today.

40/1

Form: 142-P1 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 10st 13lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Started off for Joe Tizzard with three chase wins (last of those 2m on soft) in February/March and even better form when he won a four-runner veterans' race comfortably at Kempton (2m4f, good; made most) last month, despite sometimes jumping to his left; tailed off over hurdles both starts here but they were a long time ago and he has to be considered seriously today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

18th Mar 2025

Good

2m 3f 48y

Class 3

15:17 Exeter

Le Ligerien

11st 1lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

prominent, pressed leader 6th

11/8

Form: 53P0-F

Last run: 47 days

W: 10st 13lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Nothing like the force of old and fell on reappearance seven weeks ago but he was third of 23 at Leopardstown (2m5f) in February; also third on his first run of last season (2m7f) and testing ground holds no fears, so he could still be competitive.
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: /3584- C

Last run: 351 days

W: 10st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who had two wins here in 2020 but has not fared nearly so well here since; well handicapped judged on three runs in January-April 2022 but not so hot in three runs late last year and has not been seen since; despite recent wins for the yard, which won this race in November last year, his first-time-out record is a big worry.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

18th Jun 2024

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

16:35 Stratford

Storm Control

12st 2lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Kerry Lee

Has performed well in some valuable handicaps over the years but has seen little action in recent times and needs to stage a revival; front runs.

10/1

Form: 1-214P C

Last run: 47 days

W: 10st 3lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Won at Wincanton (3m1f, good to soft) and Fakenham (3m5f, good) in the spring; first start since May when not showing much in an October run and his creditable runs both on soft ground and at this sort of trip were an uncomfortably long time ago.
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

Form: /4242- D BF

Last run: 287 days

W: 10st 2lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Fourth of 18 in the veterans' final at Sandown (3m, soft) in January and good second at Doncaster (3m) in March on his only start since; another creditable show over this sort of trip in November when reappearing last season, not nearly as long ago as with many of his rivals, so he could be interesting.
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

Form: 612-72 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 2lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
First run over hurdles for just over a year when beaten a neck at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) 19 days ago; that could tee him up nicely for this return to fences, in which sphere he won twice (2m4f/2m6f) off lower marks than this last season, and he looks very much like one of those who will be better suited by this sort of trip; 3lb out of the handicap but should be a player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

4th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

15:05 Southwell

Go Steady

12st 2lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: I P Popham

held up in rear

14/1

5th

2

27th Jan 2024

Heavy

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

14:33 Uttoxeter

Go Steady

11st 12lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Dan Skelton

held up in rear, headway after 7th, disputing third after 3 out, weakened final 110yds

6/1

5th

5

6th Jan 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 35y

Class 3

14:40 Wincanton

Go Steady

11st 5lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Rare hurdle start these days when beaten a neck at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) before returning to fences with a respectable fourth at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft; beaten 12l); a late mistake didn't help matters last time and yet he finished his race out nicely; major player now down a grade.

6/1

Selections

POSTDATA:

Le Ligerien

TOPSPEED:

Sam Brown

D Express:

Storm Control

SPOTLIGHT:

Up Helly Aa King

RP RATINGS:

Go Steady

Telegraph:

Cepage

The Times:

Top Ville Ben

WEST COUNTRY:

Le Ligerien

The Guardian:

Le Ligerien

Daily Mail:

Le Ligerien

Daily Mirror:

Le Ligerien

The Sun:

Le Ligerien

Daily Record:

Le Ligerien

The Star:

Sam Brown