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

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

3rd

4

4th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 38y

Class 2

16:03 Fakenham

Hold Your Fort

10st 9lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Debra Hamer

Made all in three-runner contest at Ascot (3m, good) in March and arguably bettered that form when close/clear second at Haydock (3m1f, good to soft) last month; might be a shade vulnerable off new mark but at least we know he's in excellent nick.

5/2

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