October 26 / 13.50 Aintree

13.50

Good

William Hill Vieux Lion Rouge Veterans’ Handicap Chase (Leg 7 of Stayers’ Veterans’ Chase Series)

  • Prize money: £18210.5
  • 3m 0f 210y
  • Class 2
  • 7 runners
ITV
View Course
William Hill Vieux Lion Rouge Veterans’ Handicap Chase (Leg 7 of Stayers’ Veterans’ Chase Series)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

9/4 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £2.50

Form: 5169-3 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 13lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
His jumping can be an issue, as was the case when well beaten in this race last year and when third of seven on recent reappearance at Chepstow (2m7f, good to firm); however, he did well in the circumstances and can have a big say if minimising the blunders; has won on good and soft.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 214y

Class 2

15:15 Newbury

Torn And Frayed

10st 10lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Has shown consistent form (3122) this term, all in veterans' events, the success at Aintree (3m1f, good); ran creditably, one place in front of Eldorado Allen, at Cheltenham (2m4f) last time; likely player, assuming he continues in the same vein.

9/2

1st

3

26th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 210y

Class 2

13:50 Aintree

Torn And Frayed

10st 13lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

His jumping can be an issue, as was the case when well beaten in this race last year and when third of seven on recent reappearance at Chepstow (2m7f, good to firm); however, he did well in the circumstances and can have a big say if minimising the blunders; has won on good and soft.

9/4

9/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 3-5P71 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 2lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Following a 70-day break he exploited a much-reduced mark at Kelso (3m2f, good) three weeks ago on his fourth start for this yard; versatile ground-wise; from out of the handicap today he's running off 5lb higher than last time, in a much hotter race, but he remains very well treated on old form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

26th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 210y

Class 2

13:50 Aintree

Ashtown Lad

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: David O’Meara

Following a 70-day break he exploited a much-reduced mark at Kelso (3m2f, good) three weeks ago on his fourth start for this yard; versatile ground-wise; from out of the handicap today he's running off 5lb higher than last time, in a much hotter race, but he remains very well treated on old form.

9/1

7th

10

27th Jul 2025

Good

3m 2f 13y

Class 2

15:07 Uttoxeter

Ashtown Lad

10st 8lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: David O’Meara

Lost his way for the Skeltons and troubles have continued for his new yard; did endure a slipping saddle here last time but now into the twilight of his career.

50/1

15

29th Jun 2025

Good

3m 2f 13y

Class 2

14:00 Uttoxeter

Ashtown Lad

10st 2lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: David O’Meara

Lost his way for the Skeltons and troubles continued when tailed off at Stratford last month; limited appeal from 9lb out of the weights.

33/1

Form: 1/613-

Last run: 184 days

W: 10st 3lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Won at Newcastle (2m7f, soft) in January on second start back from a long absence and again ran well when third at Perth (3m6f, good to soft) in April when last seen; in the mix if reappearing in the same good form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

25th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 80y

Class 3

15:58 Cartmel

If Not For Dylan

11st 4lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Thorough stayer who made all at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in February and rebounded from a lesser effort when third at Perth (3m, good) last month; has never run here before but is sure to be suited by this move back up in trip.

6/1

3rd

5

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:40 Perth

If Not For Dylan

10st 5lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Disappointing at Haydock last time (3m1f, good) but successful at Doncaster before that (3m, good to soft); each-way chance.

9/1

7th

7

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 3

17:05 Haydock

If Not For Dylan

11st 7lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Veteran who retains enthusiasm, and he jumped well and made all at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in February, but he's back up 6lb and probably in a stronger race here.

6/1

Form: 9PP1-2 C

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Capitalised on a reduced mark in three-runner handicap at Ludlow (3m, good) in April and could improve for this month's 25l second of five on reappearance at Ludlow (3m, good to firm), when making mistakes; also effective on soft ground; possible player if jumping better this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

26th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 210y

Class 2

13:50 Aintree

Straw Fan Jack

10st 7lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Capitalised on a reduced mark in three-runner handicap at Ludlow (3m, good) in April and could improve for this month's 25l second of five on reappearance at Ludlow (3m, good to firm), when making mistakes; also effective on soft ground; possible player if jumping better this time.

7/1

1

8th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

15:35 Ludlow

Straw Fan Jack

12st 0lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

10yo who turned things around when narrowly beating an odds-on rival in a C&D handicap (good; 11-2) in April; been absent since then but he's only 1lb higher than for that win and has claims if he can pick up where he left off.

9/2

1st

5

2nd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

15:45 Ludlow

Straw Fan Jack

10st 13lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Sheila Lewis

Commendable third off 11lb higher at last year's Cheltenham Festival (2m4f, soft; good ground also suits) but badly out of form this season (four runs) and is the one in this line-up with by far the most to prove.

7/1

Form: 1674-1 D

Last run: 173 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Won two veterans' chases earlier this year (2m4f/3m, soft/good), including at Fakenham in May when last seen; there's still mileage in his mark and he can play a leading role for his top yard if fully tuned up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

Le Milos

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Runner-up in the Stayers' Veterans' Final at Sandown (3m, good) in January two starts ago and he's not ruled out today; however, he's been inconsistent this season and was soundly beaten at Warwick (2m4f, heavy) in February; he may prefer a longer trip than this nowadays; fourth in this last year.

9/1

3rd

2

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Warwick

Le Milos

11st 9lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Dan Skelton

Returned to form with creditable second in valuable veterans' final at Sandown (3m, good) last month and remains only 1lb higher than when winning this race readily by 6l a year ago (soft ground); major player, and his appeal will increase if the ground turns heavy.

9/4

10/1

Form: 11P1P- BF

Last run: 190 days

W: 11st 13lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Very in and out across his six starts last season, being pulled up three times but winning on three occasions (2m4f-3m, good/good to soft); can go well fresh and he's not ruled out on his reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

4th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 38y

Class 2

16:03 Fakenham

Numitor

10st 13lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Heather Main

Bounced back to form with game win at Hereford (2m5f, good) last month, his ninth success over fences; still well handicapped after recent 4lb rise and will be fine over this longer trip but it's hard to predict whether he'll be in the right mood again.

9/2

1st

2

16th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 3

18:00 Hereford

Numitor

11st 6lb

J: James Bowen

T: Heather Main

Potentially very well handicapped but has become a law unto himself and is wickedly hard to predict.

14/1

4

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

Numitor

11st 5lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Heather Main

Pulled up in this race last year and same outcome on first two runs this season; 13l fourth behind Genois at Exeter (2m3f, good to soft) last month following wind surgery and a break but he could improve for that outing, and he won this race in 2024; not written off.

12/1

Form: 23/2P- D

Last run: 315 days

W: 10st 7lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
11yo who was pulled up on the second of just two starts last season, and is winless since March 2021; however, he has frequently run well in the meantime, finishing runner-up on each of his last three reappearance outings; on the shortlist with his regular cheekpieces back on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 7f 199y

Class 4

15:41 Hexham

Marown

11st 11lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

12yo who is without a win since 2021 and is going beyond 3m1f for the first time; however, having dropped down the weights, he took a step back in the right direction when third over Carlisle's stiff 3m recently and his trainer does very well with veterans; not discounted.

14/1

3rd

5

8th Mar 2026

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 4

16:25 Carlisle

Marown

11st 6lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Remains without a victory since 2021 and he's been pulled up on his last three runs, most recently in 2m7f Newcastle handicap in January; he's not easy to make a case for.

14/1

2

27th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:35 Newcastle

Marown

11st 12lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Nicky Richards

12yo who needs to prove how much ability he retains; however, he's well handicapped on his best 2024 efforts and he may have needed the run at Aintree three months ago following an absence (pulled up); not written off.

8/1

Non-runners

Smarty Wild

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £20.00
Straight Forecast £17.39
Tricast £47.31
Trifecta £73.00

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Torn And Frayed

SPOTLIGHT:

Marown

The Times:

Le Milos

POSTDATA:

Ashtown Lad

D Express:

Marown

The Sun:

Le Milos

TOPSPEED:

Torn And Frayed

Telegraph:

Torn And Frayed

Daily Mirror:

Torn And Frayed

The Star:

Torn And Frayed

Daily Record:

Torn And Frayed