15.00
SoftUnibet Veterans’ Handicap Chase (2024 Veterans’ Chase Series Final)
- Prize money: £51440
- 3m 0f 37y
- Class 2
- 9 runners
Runners: 9 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Showers
Abandoned
Form: 126-30 D
Last run: 35 days
W: 12st 0lb
13 yo Gelding
OR: 153
| 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 |
12st 0lb |
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 |
12st 0lb |
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 |
Abandoned
Form: 5P0-23 C
Last run: 22 days
W: 11st 10lb
11 yo Gelding
OR: 149
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 1 |
10st 12lb |
12yo who staged a renaissance when winning a veterans' chase at Cheltenham in November and has continued in pretty good heart; however, it's likely he'll be vulnerable today; soundly beaten in this race 12 months ago. |
66/1 |
|
4th 4 |
28th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 3m 1f 214y Class 2 |
11st 9lb |
Form over shorter this term features a reappearance success in veterans' race at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft; beat Mister Coffey); record at Newbury includes a success in 2m7f Grade 2 in 2022 and respectable effort in major 3m2f handicap in 2023; solid claims. |
9/2 |
|
4th 4 |
18th Jan 2026 Soft 2m 6f 50y Class 2 |
11st 2lb |
Three-time Grade 2 chase winner who snapped long losing sequence to land veterans' handicap at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) in November; ran okay when third next time; however, this 12yo looks vulnerable in today's company. |
50/1 |
Abandoned
Form: PP-1FU D
Last run: 35 days
W: 11st 5lb
12 yo Gelding
OR: 144
| 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 |
11st 5lb |
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 |
11st 5lb |
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 |
Abandoned
Form: 219-43 D
Last run: 31 days
W: 11st 3lb
11 yo Gelding
OR: 142
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 2 |
8th Mar 2026 Soft 3m 0f 110y Class 2 |
11st 3lb |
Very well handicapped on old form and returned from layoff with quite encouraging run at Musselburgh (2m7f, good to soft) in January but ought to have been suited by the heavy ground when tailed off at Kelso last month and it's hard to know what to expect from him here. |
5/1 |
|
5th 4 |
13th Feb 2026 Soft 2m 7f 96y Class 2 |
11st 5lb |
12yo who wasn't the force of old last season but he's dropped down the weights and returned from an absence with an encouraging fourth at Musselburgh (2m7f, good to soft) a fortnight ago; could show the benefit of that latest outing today, especially now back at a track where he is four from six. |
9/2 |
|
4th 1 |
31st Jan 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 138y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
12yo who wasn't the force of old last season and was pulled up last January when last seen; however, he can go well fresh and returns on a reduced mark and with his trainer enjoying a productive winter; not discounted. |
6/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 1P88-P D
Last run: 22 days
W: 11st 3lb
13 yo Gelding
OR: 142
| 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 |
10st 5lb |
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 |
12st 2lb |
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 |
12st 2lb |
towards rear, headway on outer after 10th, lost ground after 15th |
25/1 |
Abandoned
Form: -11122 C
Last run: 22 days
W: 10st 8lb
11 yo Gelding
OR: 133
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 1 |
29th Mar 2026 Good 2m 7f 185y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Unseated rider (still prominent) at Sandown in January when seeking a second success in the veterans final; battled his way back to pip Gabbys Cross for a Newbury win (3m2f) four weeks ago and, although 5lb rise takes him to his highest mark since 2022, this sterling character needs major respect. |
2/1 |
|
1st 7 |
28th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 3m 1f 214y Class 2 |
10st 11lb |
Unseated rider three out, having still been prominent, at Sandown last time when bidding for a second success in the final of this series; remains on the last winning mark, so holds a fighting chance provided he's in good form and completes the course. |
12/1 |
|
4 |
26th Oct 2025 Good To Soft 3m 1f 210y Class 3 |
11st 11lb |
|
Abandoned
Form: 9185-5 D
Last run: 52 days
W: 10st 5lb
11 yo Gelding
OR: 130
| 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 |
10st 7lb |
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 |
10st 7lb |
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 |
11st 5lb |
midfield, dropped to rear 9th, lost touch 17th |
14/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 220-24 CD
Last run: 42 days
W: 10st 5lb
11 yo Gelding
OR: 130
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 3 |
1st Feb 2026 Soft 2m 7f 191y Class 4 |
11st 11lb |
Veteran who was a very useful staying chaser in his prime but has regressed and become inconsistent; left behind in home straight at Doncaster (3m, good) five weeks ago and needs headgear switch to perk him up here. |
10/1 |
|
4th 6 |
16th Apr 2025 Good 3m 4f 21y Class 3 |
11st 11lb |
Six-time chase winner over 3m; began season with respectable second behind revitalised opponent at Aintree (3m1f, good) in October and should be fine stamina-wise today but his last three runs were disappointing. |
20/1 |
|
4th 6 |
16th Apr 2025 Good 3m 4f 21y Class 3 |
11st 11lb |
Six-time chase winner over 3m; began season with respectable second behind revitalised opponent at Aintree (3m1f, good) in October and should be fine stamina-wise today but his last three runs were disappointing. |
20/1 |
Abandoned
Form: /232/P
Last run: 31 days
W: 10st 2lb
11 yo Gelding
OR: 125
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 8 |
19th Apr 2025 Soft 2m 4f 216y Class 3 |
11st 2lb |
midfield, not fluent 10th |
14/1 |
|
4th 8 |
19th Apr 2025 Soft 2m 4f 216y Class 3 |
11st 2lb |
midfield, not fluent 10th |
14/1 |
Verdict
Sam Brown has been a pretty reliable proposition since he won this race at Warwick last year but there are changes today (10lb claimer, and blinkers instead of a visor) and it’s Joe Tizzard’s two runners who top the list. Copperhead has found his old steel in a fairly spectacular change of fortunes but ELDORADO ALLEN shaped well when one place behind him at Cheltenham last time. Empire Steel may be best of the rest.[Richard Austen]