3.40 Plumpton: the one race you cannot afford to miss on Monday

Sky Sports Racing Conditional Jockeys' Veterans' Handicap Chase | 3m1½f | SKY

There are some old favourites lining up in this veterans' chase but one stands out as the best-handicapped in the race and that is the Venetia Williams-trained Uhlan Bute.

He has now dropped to a mark 4lb lower than when scoring here last year but recent form has to be a worry. Uhlan Bute showed little spark when beating only one home at Warwick last time and, having just turned 12, you have to question whether he can still reach his best.

At the age of 14, Loose Chips makes Uhlan Bute look like a youngster and Charlie Longsdon's runner appears still to be in love with the game judged on his good third in a similar event at Warwick last month. He recorded his highest Racing Post Rating for nine months, but will probably need to improve on that again to show his younger rivals the way home here.

Shanahan's Turn has the best recent form on offer and, while that has come over shorter trips, he has twice won over 2m6f-plus and Colin Tizzard's runners usually stay well. I'm expecting him to see out the 3m1½f under Harry Kimber, who is value for his 8lb claim.

A good second over 2m4f at Lingfield behind subsequent winner Finnegan's Garden last month, Shanahan's Turn will be hard to beat if he can repeat that level of form at this trip.

Graeme Rodway

What the stats say

Charlie Mann has enjoyed Plumpton in the past five seasons and boasts nine wins from 32 runs at the Sussex course, with a 28 per cent strike-rate.

Uhlan Bute has won on two of his three previous runs at Plumpton, including in a similar veterans' handicap chase 12 months ago.

What connections say

Gary Moore, trainer of Antony
He's very good at home, we're pleased with him. He showed a glimmer of hope the other day when he finished fourth at Newbury and, now he qualifies for veterans' chases, we'll hopefully see him back to winning ways quite soon. He took a year off so he had time to have a good recovery and he's quite low mileage, so there's no reason why he shouldn't be as good as ever.

Colin Tizzard, trainer of Shanahan's Turn
It was a race put on at short notice and we stuck a few in, but he looks immaculate and I couldn't find any reason not to run him. It's a nice race for our young conditional to ride in and we're looking forward to it. He still enjoys being ridden everyday and he's got quite a nice chance, he's in good form and he's not finished with in any way.

Venetia Williams, trainer of Uhlan Bute
He won a very similar race to this around the same time last year, but he could probably do with a little bit drier ground which isn't going to come any time soon. He's in good order, sooner or later his turn will come this season and I hope he runs well.

Charlie Longsdon, trainer of Loose Chips
He seems in good form, very well in himself. He's 14 now so life isn't so easy for him, but he seems to have the enthusiasm of old. He's come down a lot in the handicap, as has the Tizzard horse, but he's got a chance. He ran well last time so he should run well this time.

Richard Rowe, trainer of Tzar De L'Elfe
He's run some very good races around Plumpton, he was a winner there last time – by the width of a cigarette paper – but he managed to get his head in front. He's very consistent and likes the course, he's got a nice light weight and an extremely good young jockey, Richard Patrick, riding him and we'll be hoping for a good run. He seems in very good form at home, but it's competitive.

Reporting by Tommy Churchyard

Read exclusive previews from 6pm daily on racingpost.com and the Racing Post mobile app