February 11 / 16.35 Exeter

16.35

Heavy

trustatrader.com Veterans’ Handicap Chase (Qualifier) (Leg 2 Of The Stayers’ Veterans’ Chase Series)

  • Prize money: £18210.5
  • 3m 0f 54y
  • Class 2
  • 13 runners
RTV
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trustatrader.com Veterans’ Handicap Chase (Qualifier) (Leg 2 Of The Stayers’ Veterans’ Chase Series)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.50
  • Place: £2.90

Form: 3P6P-9 C

Last run: 93 days

W: 10st 6lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Became disappointing during light campaign last season and was soundly beaten over C&D on reappearance outing in November; well handicapped and has conditions to suit, but the addition of cheekpieces needs to make a big difference.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

9th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 2

15:00 Exeter

Ask Me Early

10st 7lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

2-3 at Exeter and the return to this track offers a glimmer of hope; has the same mark as for his 9l win in this last year but he's failed to shine on either run this term and was pulled up last time; something to prove.

10/1

6

9th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 2

15:00 Exeter

Ask Me Early

10st 7lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

2-3 at Exeter and the return to this track offers a glimmer of hope; has the same mark as for his 9l win in this last year but he's failed to shine on either run this term and was pulled up last time; something to prove.

10/1

4

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 162y

Class 3

15:45 Wincanton

Ask Me Early

11st 5lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

midfield, dropped to rear 9th, lost touch 17th

14/1

14/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 72-442 CD

Last run: 52 days

W: 10st 2lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Dual C&D winner, latterly in 2022 edition of this race (soft ground), and has made the frame over C&D on all three starts this season; 5lb out of the weights today but the form of his December second has been very well advertised by the winner since; considered each-way.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

23rd Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 86y

Class 3

17:00 Newbury

Run To Milan

11st 2lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Victor Dartnall

This is his trip; unplaced on his previous run here and saves all his best efforts for Exeter where he again ran well last time from 5lb out of the weights; does have form elsewhere but it's on right-handed tracks; perhaps placed at best.

7/1

2nd

15

11th Feb 2024

Heavy

3m 0f 54y

Class 2

16:35 Exeter

Run To Milan

10st 2lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Victor Dartnall

Dual C&D winner, latterly in 2022 edition of this race (soft ground), and has made the frame over C&D on all three starts this season; 5lb out of the weights today but the form of his December second has been very well advertised by the winner since; considered each-way.

14/1

2nd

6

21st Dec 2023

Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 3

14:55 Exeter

Run To Milan

11st 4lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Victor Dartnall

Has only ever won here and from the front he went down fighting in Enjoy Your Life's recent C&D handicap; down another 2lb but he does look vulnerable to younger legs.

7/1

Form: 4-5117 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 2lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Began this season with hard-fought wins at Chepstow (2m7f, good to soft) and Sandown (3m, good to soft) in the autumn, and didn't run badly when seventh in last month's Veterans' Final (first-time cheekpieces); one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 6f 54y

Class 3

16:30 Haydock

Good Boy Bobby

11st 12lb

J: Miss Amber Jackson-Fennell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Six-time chase winner; long in the tooth now but was placed in Newbury veterans' chase (3m2f, soft) on latest outing last March and has a good record when fresh; shortlised on hunter chase debut.

6/1

Form: 22-526 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 6lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Thorough stayer who did pretty well to take second behind Cepage over inadequate 2m4f at Cheltenham (soft) in December; safely held in Veterans' Final at Warwick since but can have a say off a workable mark here.
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: 408-14 D

Last run: 64 days

W: 11st 4lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Back in peak form when winning by 16l under a very patient Elizabeth Gale ride at Aintree (3m1f, good to soft) in October and also ran well over the big fences there (3m2f, heavy) in December (albeit tired and well held in the end); respected.
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

Form: 01-2P9 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 12st 1lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 151

Form & Verdict
Smart in his prime and proved he retains most of his ability when second in major handicap at Ascot (3m, soft) on seasonal debut in November; didn't fire in last month's Veterans' Final but still enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

16th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 89y

Class 2

14:05 Market Rasen

Two For Gold

11st 11lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Teenager who ran well for a long way when very respectable sixth in valuable Ascot handicap (3m, good) on seasonal debut in November; pulled up in similar race back there just before Christmas but might be aided by the refitted tongue-tie here and has slipped to a tempting mark.

20/1

1

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

Two For Gold

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Second and fourth in the last two renewals of this and further enhanced his solid record here with another second over this trip in March; can see him running well again but it goes against the grain trends-wise to row in with a 12yo carrying 12st.

25/1

1

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

Two For Gold

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Second and fourth in the last two renewals of this and further enhanced his solid record here with another second over this trip in March; can see him running well again but it goes against the grain trends-wise to row in with a 12yo carrying 12st.

25/1

Form: 25/3P- C

Last run: 442 days

W: 11st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 147

Form & Verdict
Smart hurdler/chaser for the Tizzard stable and makes debut for Jim Boyle from a tempting mark, but we haven't seen him since a disappointing run in 2022 Coral Gold Cup and he's tricky to weigh up at present.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

16th Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

14:45 Kempton

Fiddlerontheroof

11st 11lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Jim Boyle

Similar type to Millers Bank, being a Grade 1 winner (over hurdles in 2020 for previous yard); achieved nothing at Exeter (3m) last month on debut for new stable and return from lengthy absence; needs to prove he retains ability but market support should be noted.

16/1

2

11th Feb 2024

Heavy

3m 0f 54y

Class 2

16:35 Exeter

Fiddlerontheroof

11st 11lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Jim Boyle

Smart hurdler/chaser for the Tizzard stable and makes debut for Jim Boyle from a tempting mark, but we haven't seen him since a disappointing run in 2022 Coral Gold Cup and he's tricky to weigh up at present.

16/1

2

26th Nov 2022

Good

3m 1f 214y

Class 1

15:05 Newbury

Fiddlerontheroof

11st 9lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

One of several runners who warmed up for this prize with a recent spin over hurdles; very useful chaser who is largely consistent and went down by only half a length (off 5lb lower; clear of remainder) in this race 12 months ago; cheekpieces now added; should go well again.

9/1

Form: 1PP-7P D

Last run: 71 days

W: 11st 10lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 146

Form & Verdict
Collected good prize off this mark at Kempton (3m, soft) last winter but never got involved in Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in December and has now been pulled up on three of his last four appearances; needs to turn a corner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 2

14:35 Market Rasen

Remastered

11st 5lb

J: David Noonan

T: David Pipe

led narrowly or disputed lead, prominent when headed 3rd, slow jump and lost position 4th, soon struggling, detached from 6th, soon pulled up

9/1

3

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 2

14:35 Market Rasen

Remastered

11st 5lb

J: David Noonan

T: David Pipe

2023 and 2024 did not go at all well until he won by a short head at Wincanton (extended 3m2f) in October last year; the fences have got in the way on both starts since and he's not the percentage call, but his old peak chase form was smart; blinkered first time.

9/1

Form: /7-41P

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 6lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Looked revitalised when winning by 7l in first-time cheekpieces at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) in December and remains very well handicapped on older form, but he then ran very badly in last month's Veterans' Final and it's hard to predict whether he'll warm to the task here.
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: 2345-4 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 1lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Well handicapped on some of last season's form and was a very creditable fourth in Veterans' Final at Warwick (3m, soft) on last month's reappearance; will cope if the ground becomes very testing here; big player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

11th Feb 2024

Heavy

3m 0f 54y

Class 2

16:35 Exeter

Ramses De Teillee

11st 1lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Well handicapped on some of last season's form and was a very creditable fourth in Veterans' Final at Warwick (3m, soft) on last month's reappearance; will cope if the ground becomes very testing here; big player.

9/2

4th

11

13th Jan 2024

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Warwick

Ramses De Teillee

11st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Returning from a similar absence (and wind surgery) when dominant from the front over C&D (soft) 14 months ago when only 2lb lower, after which he finished second in the final of this race at Sandown; fortunes went into reverse soon after but he's back from further wind surgery and handicapped to run a blinder if again on good terms with himself.

13/2

Form: 25266- D

Last run: 400 days

W: 10st 9lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Stayed on for very respectable sixth in 2023 Veterans' Final at its regular home of Sandown (3m, soft) 13 months ago and returns on a 7lb lower mark; versatile regarding ground; not out of this if fully tuned up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

1st Jun 2024

Good To Soft

3m 3f 119y

Class 3

19:30 Stratford

Broken Quest

12st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: David Dennis

Only this year returned from a long absence and showed he was no back number with an 11l third at Aintree two weeks ago (3m1f, good); stamina for quite this far is by no means assured but he can't be ruled out.

8/1

Form: P-3F2P D

Last run: 46 days

W: 10st 5lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Gained all four chase wins at Chepstow; gave good account when second to subsequent Welsh Grand National winner there (2m7f, heavy) in December but needs to prove he can match that form on this right-handed course.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

11th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

15:50 Chepstow

Wayfinder

11st 1lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Rebecca Curtis

Gained all four chase wins here (good-soft), the latest over today's trip two years ago; very inconsistent in the meantime and not seen since heavy defeat at Newton Abbot in May but both his course record and his record when fresh make him of strong interest today.

6/1

4th

1

29th May 2024

Soft

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

14:58 Newton Abbot

Wayfinder

11st 7lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Rebecca Curtis

All his chase wins have come at Chepstow but he has form elsewhere and this is a softer race than at Cheltenham last month; however, he did bleed that day and there's no denying he has a point to prove.

15/2

9th

12

17th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 2

16:25 Cheltenham

Wayfinder

10st 8lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Rebecca Curtis

Gained all four chase wins at Chepstow but his third on the Old course here (3m1f, good to soft) in October was right up there with his best form; ran very poorly (albeit on heavy ground) last time and has a point to prove.

20/1

Form: 12-53U

Last run: 50 days

W: 10st 3lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Dual hurdle winner but came to grief in the very early stages of two of his four chasing attempts and was well beaten when completing the other two races (albeit one in a Grade 2); still unexposed over 3m but needs to get his act together over fences.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

7th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 4f 146y

Class 2

15:35 Sandown

Conkwell Legend

10st 7lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Neil Mulholland

0-8 over fences and has failed to complete four times; no issues on the stamina front (stays 3m6f) but he faces a difficult task at this level and comes with risk.

16/1

3rd

10

7th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 4f 146y

Class 2

15:35 Sandown

Conkwell Legend

10st 7lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Neil Mulholland

0-8 over fences and has failed to complete four times; no issues on the stamina front (stays 3m6f) but he faces a difficult task at this level and comes with risk.

16/1

2

26th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 6f 121y

Class 3

14:05 Perth

Conkwell Legend

12st 0lb

J: Mr A P Ryan

T: Neil Mulholland

Dual hurdle winner who is 0-7 over fences; again he travelled well for a long way last time at Exeter (3m6f, heavy) but ultimately came up shy behind a 6l winner with only one other completing; others might just see this out stronger.

13/2

Non-runners

Musical Slave, Secret Reprieve

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £37.00
Straight Forecast £36.33
Tricast £329.02
Trifecta £455.00

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Lord Du Mesnil

SPOTLIGHT:

Ramses De Teillee

The Times:

Fiddlerontheroof

Daily Record:

Good Boy Bobby

The Star:

Celebre D'Allen

POSTDATA:

Cepage

Telegraph:

Lord Du Mesnil

D Express:

Lord Du Mesnil

The Sun:

Lord Du Mesnil

TOPSPEED:

Ramses De Teillee

Daily Mirror:

Ramses De Teillee