March 29 / 16.50 Ascot

16.50

Good

Sodexo Live! Veterans’ Handicap Chase (Leg 4 Of The Stayers’ Veterans’ Chase Series)

  • Prize money: £18210.5
  • 2m 7f 185y
  • Class 2
  • 3 runners
SKY
View Course
Sodexo Live! Veterans’ Handicap Chase (Leg 4 Of The Stayers’ Veterans’ Chase Series)

Runners: 3 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75

Form: F3314U D

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Won at Ludlow (3m) in October and creditable fourth off this mark at Chepstow (3m2f, again good to firm) four days later, both under Callum Pritchard; recent Taunton run ended in an unseat before push came to shove but he's a big player judged on that autumn form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

26th Jul 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 2

15:42 Uttoxeter

Hold Your Fort

11st 5lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Debra Hamer

Multiple chase winner who did well last season but he failed to fire behind Imperial Alex in last month's Summer Cup here and was no better returned to hurdles 16 days ago.

20/1

5th

1

10th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

21:00 Worcester

Hold Your Fort

12st 0lb

J: Mr James Murray

T: Debra Hamer

Seven-time chase winner who developed into a useful performer last season; below form at Uttoxeter recently and tricky to weigh up over hurdles but still looks tempting, given he's 27lb lower in this sphere.

5/1

9th

7

28th Jun 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 2

15:27 Uttoxeter

Hold Your Fort

10st 11lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Debra Hamer

Chase record is 7-20, the most recent success in veterans' contest at Ascot (3m, good) in March; couple of sound efforts since demonstrate that he remains in form aged ten; faces a tougher assignment off current mark in this field, however.

12/1

Form: -043P2

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 8lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish 11yo (four races for current yard) who has not won since July 2022 but so nearly put that right in first-time cheekpieces at Newbury four weeks ago when Copperhead wrested back the advantage in the final strides; back up 4lb and Sean Bowen takes over; clearly capable of a bold show.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

28th Jun 2026

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

16:03 Uttoxeter

Gabbys Cross

11st 2lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Georgina Nicholls

Campaigned mostly in veterans' chases during his spell with Nick Scholfield and this return to hurdles isn't guaranteed to produce a positive result on debut for another new stable; hasn't won since 2022.

20/1

8th

12

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

Gabbys Cross

10st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Nick Scholfield

Ex-Irish 11yo (six races for current yard) who has not won since 2022 but went close with first-time cheekpieces (kept since) over 3m2f at Newbury in February; second of three at Ascot (3m) in another veterans' race next time was creditable in the end, after he'd been detached at one point; that helps to envisage him as a stayer but he jumped poorly on heavy in Scottish National (40-1, pulled up) last week and this race also looks tough.

66/1

14

18th Apr 2026

Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Gabbys Cross

11st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Nick Scholfield

Ex-Irish 11yo (five races for current yard) who has not won since July 2022 but nearly put that right in first-time cheekpieces (kept since) over 3m2f at Newbury in February, losing out in the final strides; second of three at Ascot (3m) three weeks ago was creditable in the end, after he'd been detached at one point, and that helps to envisage him as a stayer, but this race is so much tougher.

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: 14-7U1 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 12st 0lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
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.
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

Non-runners

Certainly Red

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £6.40
Straight Forecast £6.57
Trifecta £9.00

Selections

POSTDATA:

Gabbys Cross

RP RATINGS:

Hold Your Fort

SPOTLIGHT:

Copperhead

TOPSPEED:

Hold Your Fort

The Times:

Hold Your Fort

LAMBOURN:

Gabbys Cross

Telegraph:

Gabbys Cross

D Express:

Gabbys Cross

Daily Mirror:

Gabbys Cross

The Sun:

Gabbys Cross

Daily Record:

Gabbys Cross

The Star:

Copperhead