Old Roan Chase Preview

Hi all,

There’s a good Sunday card at Aintree this afternoon. We have Leg 8 Of The Veterans' Chase Series (1:25). The jumps race of the weekend in the Grade 2 Jewson Fast Set Finish Old Roan Limited Handicap Chase (2:00) and the Class 2 Jewson Handicap Hurdle (3:10).

Inside today’s main piece you can read my thoughts on the Veterans' Handicap Chase and the Old Roan Chase.

Aintree

1:25 – Jewson Vieux Lion Rouge Veterans' Handicap Chase (Class 2) – 3m 1f

Jimmy The Digger won a Cheltenham handicap chase 12 months ago on his seasonal return and ran just as well on his next two starts. Pulled up at Cheltenham on final start (said to have bled). However, he goes well fresh likes good to soft ground and looks on a competitive mark on his first run in veterans’ company.

Cap Du Nord took advantage of declining mark to bounce back to winning ways at Ascot in February. Down the field on his seasonal return in veterans’ chase at Chepstow 16 days ago. Needs to have come on for that run. But his last two wins have come off today’s mark so can’t be discounted.

Wishing And Hoping won this corresponding race in 2021 and was runner-up in last year’s race on his seasonal return before going to win the Series Final at Sandown at the start of the year. The top-weight goes well fresh and will like the ground but at 13 he may be vulnerable to younger legs.

Boldmere returned from a 20 month absence to win Leg 2 of this series at Doncaster in February and ended the season with a win at Fakenham in April.  Nudged up 2lb for his latest success but has to be respected if ready to roll on his seasonal reappearance.

Nestor Park doesn’t find winning easy – 1 win from 15 starts over fences. However, he's consistent enough having placed on eight occasions.  Not disgraced when a 5 ½ length 3^rd of 11 at Uttoxeter when last seen in action in May. Likely to give his running for a yard among the winners and is a handy enough mark when all the cards fall right.

2:00 – Jewson Fast Set Finish Old Roan Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2) – 2m 4f

A good sized field of 11 for the weekend’s feature race over jumps. Not only is the field size up to scratch but there is plenty of depth to it.

Hitman

Doesn’t always find much in a finish, but the top-weight is classy chaser on his day. He was only beaten a head in last year’s race on his seasonal return and is now 1lb lower.  Must be high on the shortlist.

My Drogo

Won a Grade 1 hurdle here in April 2021 and looked a high class chase prospect when winning a Cheltenham novice chase in December 2021. It’s the 8-year-old’s first run for 687 days but he looks on a good mark on handicap chase debut and can go close if fully tuned up after his absence.

Tommy’s Oscar

A very useful hurdlergained a second success over fences when winning a Grade 2 novices chase at Doncaster in February. Looked better than ever when beating five rivals at Kelso (2m 1f) on his seasonal return three weeks ago. Now 5lb higher and back up in trip but goes well on a flat track and the trainer landed this with Nuts Well in 2020.

Do Your Job

A useful novice chaser two seasons back was sent off the 5/2 favourite for last year’s race and was going well before but a bad mistake four out ended his race. Not at his best on two subsequent starts and starts the new season with some questions to answer. First run since switching to Lucinda Russell and wind surgery and could go well off a handy mark if back to his best.

Datsalrightgino

Won two of his eight starts over fences last season and posted a career best on RPR’s when winning a Grade 2 Novices Chase at Ayr in April. He was strong at the finish at Ayr and looked suited to the return to a sound surface. Likely capable of better over fences this season albeit may need further or a strong pace to chase in a race like this on his seasonal reappearance.

Jetoile

Looked like a handicap chaser on the up when winning twice at Chepstow in the spring. Starts the season off a 9lb higher mark and in a deeper race on return. Maybe capable of better over fences this campaign and is suited to good/good to soft ground.

Old Roan Verdict:

A cracker of a race which likely revolves around My Drogo returning from a near two year absence. If he's retained much of his old ability, then he would take all the beating off his handicap mark. The more solid option is Tommy's Oscar who looked better than ever when winning on his seasonal return.

Sunday Selection:

I'm looking to the Veterans Chase for today's selection. Jimmy The Digger is on a competitive mark for his debut in veterans company and goes well fresh. Nestor Park can usually be relied upon to give his running but doesn't win very often. Boldmere doesn't have a great record fresh but at around 7/1 looks a shade of value in an open race.

Aintree

2:00 – Boldmere – 8/1 @ Bet365.

Good luck with your Sunday Bets

John