'He seems to be in the form of his life at home' - analysis and key quotes for Exeter veterans' chase

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The renaissance of one-time potential Cheltenham Gold Cup horse Copperhead has been heartwarming.

Written off by many after a midlife career crisis that saw him lose 20 consecutive races between March 2020 and April 2024, the ten-year-old has bounced back to land four of his last six starts, highlighted by victory in the final of the 2024 Veterans’ Series at Market Rasen.

Copperhead was all out to fend off Sam Brown by a length and a quarter that day, but a mere 2lb rise suggests he might be able to add to his tally.

Does He Know, who, like Copperhead, was officially rated in the mid-150s during his prime, could prove another example of an older horse benefitting by racing only against veterans. He will relish the likely soft ground, and hasn’t been discredited in any of his three races so far this season.

Dashel Drasher, seemingly at his best at Ascot earlier in his career, makes his first appearance at Exeter off his lowest mark since December 2020. He finished two places behind Copperhead in fourth at Cheltenham in December, and renews rivalry on 6lb better terms.

The ten-year-old Gustavian, one of three runners for Anthony Honeyball, is an interesting contender. There was market support for him before the 3m handicap chase at Sandown last Saturday won by O’Connell in which Gustavian got no further than the second fence when disputing the lead. 

He had previously been beaten a neck by progressive Fortunate Man at Aintree on Boxing Day and rates a serious player off 4lb higher. Stablemate Credo appears fairly treated at present on a mark of 122.
Race analysis by Richard Birch

Going news

The ground was described officially as good to soft, soft in places on Saturday. The forecast is for a dry day with sunny intervals before turning cloudy in the afternoon.

What they say

Tom Bellamy, rider of Does He Know
This is his first time in a veterans’ chase and hopefully it’s more of a level playing field, as previously he’d been lumping 12 stone around against younger horses. He's been in great form at home and this looks the right race for him.

Jeremy Scott, trainer of Dashel Drasher
He’s run two decent races back over fences this year and we expect the return to three miles to suit him. He goes there in good shape.

Joe Tizzard, trainer of Copperhead
He loves these races and loved getting his head in front in the final at Market Rasen last time. He’s up in the handicap but seems to be in the form of his life at home, so hopefully he can follow up.

Anthony Honeyball, trainer of Gustavian, Credo and Blackjack Magic
Gustavian fell at the second at Sandown the other day but he came back fine and has schooled well since, so we are ready to go again. This qualifies him for the veterans’ final, as it does the other two including Credo, who is coming down the handicap and has one of these races in her. Blackjack Magic is on a retrieval mission having ended last season on a downward path, something that has continued into this, but hopefully he can sharpen up his act.
Reporting by David Milnes

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