February 09 / 15.00 Exeter

15.00

Good To Soft

TrustATrader Apply Today Veterans’ Handicap Chase (Qual’) (Leg 1 of Stayers’ Veterans’ Chase Series)

  • Prize money: £19771.4
  • 3m 0f 54y
  • Class 2
  • 8 runners
RTV
View Course
TrustATrader Apply Today Veterans’ Handicap Chase (Qual’) (Leg 1 of Stayers’ Veterans’ Chase Series)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

13/2 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £1.90

Form: -53444 C

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 2lb

10 yo Mare

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Below her best this season but was a respectable fourth behind younger, progressive rivals when she wore first-time blinkers at Wincanton (3m2f, good to soft) last time; runs off the same mark today and could be in the shake-up if the first-time visor also has a positive impact.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

8th Mar 2026

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

14:50 Carlisle

Credo

11st 2lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

Behind stablemate Blackjack Magic when seventh in final of this veterans' series at Sandown in January and was soundly beaten in major Ascot handicap last month but her first two runs this season were very respectable and she's now 3lb lower than when winning this race in 2025.

7/2

8th

7

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Credo

10st 4lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

Successful in two legs of the 2025 Stayers' Veterans' Chase Series but came up short in the Final won by Nocte Volatus; hasn't won a conventional race since 2023.

20/1

5th

4

30th Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

16:30 Ascot

Credo

11st 3lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Anthony Honeyball

In-form mare who won four-runner veterans' chase fairly comfortably at Carlisle (3m, good) a week ago and is now 2-3 since fitted with a visor; has 6lb penalty to carry today but is respected in her current mood.

2/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 3-3P2F CD

Last run: 8 days

W: 10st 5lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Just 1-21 over fences and mistakes can be costly, as when an early faller recently; however, prior to that he went very close at Aintree (3m1f, soft) when clear with a progressive winner, and that's an appealing piece of form in the context of today's first veterans' chase assignment; likes it here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

23rd Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Kempton

Gustavian

12st 0lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

Solid performances in notable handicaps this season, winning the Badger Beers at Wincanton then fourth in the Stayers' Veterans' Final at Sandown and Ladbrokes Trophy over C&D; retains plenty of ability despite his advancing years; respected back down in class.

9/4

4th

8

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Gustavian

10st 12lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

Jumped well and dominated throughout in the Badger Beers at Wincanton (3m1f, good; handles softer) and gave it another good go off this 8lb higher mark at Sandown; assured competition for the lead here has to reduce his appeal.

25/1

7th

7

1st Mar 2025

Soft

3m 1f 214y

Class 2

13:20 Newbury

Gustavian

10st 5lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

didn't jump with fluency, disputed lead, hit 5th

7/2

9/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 487-34 D

Last run: 58 days

W: 11st 12lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 147

Form & Verdict
Age may be catching up with this 12yo but he's run pretty well back over fences the last twice, most recently fourth against veterans at Cheltenham (2m4f, good to soft); this longer trip is in his favour; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 213y

Class 2

15:50 Cheltenham

Dashel Drasher

12st 1lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

Hasn't been running badly over fences this season but he's clearly not the force of old and he would prefer softer ground for this return to hurdling.

10/1

6th

1

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 213y

Class 2

15:50 Cheltenham

Dashel Drasher

12st 1lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

Hasn't been running badly over fences this season but he's clearly not the force of old and he would prefer softer ground for this return to hurdling.

10/1

Form: 111221 C

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 0lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Rejuvenated 11yo who won three times last year and took the Veterans' Series Final at Market Rasen (3m, good to soft) last month; he's just 2lb higher than last time and could play another leading role.
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

16:50 Ascot

Copperhead

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

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

15:15 Newbury

Copperhead

10st 11lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

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

13:30 Fontwell

Copperhead

11st 11lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Form: 3P-15F

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 6lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 141

Form & Verdict
Has an excellent reappearance record and won at Haydock (3m1f, soft) in December following a break; however, two lesser performances have followed from this 12yo and he needs to raise his game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

23rd Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

16:30 Carlisle

Cloudy Glen

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

led at steady pace, faced challenges from 13th, not fluent 14th, headed and lost second 3 out, soon lost third, lost touch from 2 out, tailed off

7/1

8th

3

1st Mar 2025

Soft

3m 1f 214y

Class 2

13:20 Newbury

Cloudy Glen

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

disputed lead

10/1

5th

3

9th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 2

15:00 Exeter

Cloudy Glen

11st 6lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Venetia Williams

Has an excellent reappearance record and won at Haydock (3m1f, soft) in December following a break; however, two lesser performances have followed from this 12yo and he needs to raise his game.

14/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1P-444 D

Last run: 57 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 149

Form & Verdict
Running with credit in some tough handicaps this season, most recently a close fourth of 14 at Doncaster (3m, good to soft); now tackles his first veterans' chase and has solid claims off the same mark as last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 2

16:25 Cheltenham

Does He Know

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Very useful staying chaser when on song and has pretty good record at Cheltenham; pulled up at Exeter two starts ago and didn't find much at the business end when third of four at Carlisle (3m, good) last month but it won't be a surprise if he runs a big race here.

11/2

3rd

1

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 2

16:25 Cheltenham

Does He Know

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Very useful staying chaser when on song and has pretty good record at Cheltenham; pulled up at Exeter two starts ago and didn't find much at the business end when third of four at Carlisle (3m, good) last month but it won't be a surprise if he runs a big race here.

11/2

3rd

1

23rd Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

16:30 Carlisle

Does He Know

12st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

taken down early, raced in second, pressed leader 13th, led narrowly 3 out, headed when hit last, weakened and lost second run-in

9/4

Form: 45F-PP CD

Last run: 71 days

W: 11st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Pulled up the last twice, most recently at Newcastle in November, which was disappointing as he usually goes well when fresh in the autumn; however, he's on a competitive mark on last season's best form and this C&D winner could bounce back with a good run in his first veterans' chase.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

27th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

15:53 Newton Abbot

Blackjack Magic

11st 11lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Well treated on old form but his last win was in November 2023 and he's generally struggled since then; has something to prove and all of his wins have come on good to soft or slower.

12/1

4th

4

8th Mar 2026

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

14:50 Carlisle

Blackjack Magic

11st 2lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Anthony Honeyball

Ran quite well when fifth in valuable final of this veterans' series at Sandown (3m, good) in January but was well beaten there later that month and has become far too inconsistent to support with any confidence; tried in a visor for the first time.

11/2

4th

4

31st Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 42y

Class 2

15:42 Sandown

Blackjack Magic

10st 3lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Proved somewhat resurgent, following several non-completions, in the Veterans' Final over C&D on seasonal debut; however, needs to build on that effort and prove that he's still capable of peak form, on which he's admittedly well treated.

14/1

Form: 185-5P CD

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 7lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
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.
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

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £25.00
Straight Forecast £24.69
Tricast £93.65
Trifecta £122.70

Selections

POSTDATA:

Copperhead

SPOTLIGHT:

Does He Know

TOPSPEED:

Cloudy Glen

RP RATINGS:

Credo

The Times:

Ask Me Early

Telegraph:

Gustavian

D Express:

Does He Know

Daily Record:

Does He Know

The Star:

Cloudy Glen

WEST COUNTRY:

Copperhead

Daily Mirror:

Copperhead

The Sun:

Copperhead