Shrewd placing could lead to veteran being well treated

Loyalty
2.55 Chelmsford
1pt winNautical Haven
3.30 Chelmsford
1pt winLord Ben
3.45 Huntingdon
1pt winIt is not often a horse falls as rapidly in the ratings as Lord Ben but the decision to run him in a couple of a hunter chases could have been a stroke of genius from trainer Dai Williams.

The 12-year-old gets to run in the 0-115 188bet.co.uk John Bigg Oxo Handicap Chase (3.45) at Huntingdon when only a few months ago he would have been considered several classes above today's rivals.

Rated 145 at his peak for Henry de Bromhead just 18 months ago, Lord Ben ran in his first chase for Williams at Fontwell in December off a mark of 140 and the handicapper was happy enough to retain the rating after his fourth to Workbench, but then dropped him 5lb after he finished tailed off in a £55,000 Listed handicap at Ascot.