'A repeat performance will see him go close' - analysis and key quotes for the veterans' chase

Current form is always a concern in a veterans' chase, so Copperhead is sure to be popular this afternoon.

There comes a time in every older horse's career when he or she has had enough, but that has not arrived for him. Indeed, he appears to be having a revival.

Having gone more than four years without a victory, the ten-year-old who took the Reynoldstown Novices' Chase at Ascot in 2020 is on a hat-trick.

Although his jumping was not always fluent when he ended a 20-race losing run at Plumpton in May, there was little to fault in his reappearance success at Chepstow a fortnight ago.

Even if this is a more competitive event, he is demonstrably in form and remains 33lb below his peak BHA rating, so looks sure to go well.

The only other runner to have been seen out in the last 12 weeks is Diol Ker, who was pulled up behind Copperhead, so anyone looking for an alternative to the favourite will probably have to take a chance on fitness.

However, Torn And Frayed's first-time-out record and trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies's typically strong start to the autumn suggest he is less of a risk than most.

He tackled smart handicap company in 2023-24, races off his lowest mark since 2021 and is clearly weighted to run well.

Cap Du Nord is also well treated, rated just 5lb higher than when winning at Perth in July, and spoiled his chance with a bad mistake at the first fence at the Galway Festival three weeks later.
Analysis by David Carr

What they say 

Henry Daly, trainer of Rapper and Fortescue
It’s a great race to bring them both back in and they are both ready to get their campaigns back under way. Rapper should enjoy himself around there but I fear the ground won’t be soft enough for Fortescue.

Nick Scholfield, rider of Cap Du Nord
He won well at Perth in the summer and is probably high enough off 127 in a normal handicap but he would have a chance off that mark in a veterans’ race. It’s great prize-money and these are great races to be involved in, and I expect him to like the ground.

Nick Scholfield: rides Cap Du Nord at Aintree on Sunday

Willy Twiston-Davies, assistant to Nigel, trainer of Torn And Frayed
Last year wasn’t his season for one reason or another, but he’s back working nicely at home and we are hoping he can turn a corner in the veterans' series.

Joe Tizzard, trainer of Copperhead
He's good. He bounced back to some really good form last time at Chepstow. He's been knocking on the door for 18 months and he's obviously got his confidence back. I think a repeat performance will make him go close.
Reporting by David Milnes

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