A win for Wynne? Keith Melrose expects a bold show from Moss in veterans' chase

Poundland Conditional Jockeys' Veterans' Handicap Chase | 3m | 10yo+ | ITV4/RTV

These nine veterans have 170 runs over fences between them, but in terms of significant recent efforts three pieces of form stand out.

First is the race won by Certainly Red (runs in the Mandarin at Newbury on Saturday) at Wincanton 30 days ago, run in unhelpfully foggy conditions. La Cavsa Nostra pulled up sometime before the runners reappeared on the approach to the second-last fence. No sooner was the shape of the race clear than Smuggler's Blues fell when narrowly in front of the winner. His rise of 3lb, relative to 5lb for Certainly Red, might be generous as in that fleeting moment the fog allowed us to assess the race he looked to be going just as well.

The next piece of form is another veterans' handicap for conditional jockeys, won by Go Steady with Stamp Your Feet last of the three finishers. Visibility was better at Lingfield that day, but faith in what we were seeing was dented by short-priced favourite Achille unshipping his rider at the first fence. He also took Oxwich Bay with him, leaving effectively a three-runner race.

Stronger than both of those races, at least among the principals, was the race at Doncaster on December 9 in which Midnight Moss finished second. He fought out that race with Rocky's Treasure, who jumped the better where it mattered and took his record at Doncaster to four wins from seven runs.

Midnight Moss is most unexposed as veterans go: of the 170 chase runs represented by this field, only six are his, and he represents the upwardly mobile yard of Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero. A progressive veteran, ridden by a promising conditional in Toby Wynne, represents strong currency in this field.
Race analysis by Keith Melrose

Lost in the fog: Tom George baffled by weight rise for Smuggler's Blues

Trainers are often quick to complain when a horse is put up without winning but, in the case of Smuggler's Blues, you can see Tom George's point.

Or at least, you couldn't see very much of the evidence for his 3lb rise after contesting a handicap chase at fogbound Wincanton where even the peerless Richard Hoiles had to wait until the field had jumped the last before identifying the leader.

"He's ten-years-old and the handicapper decided to put him up three pounds for falling in the fog at the second last when nobody could see what was happening," said George. "I'm not saying he can't win again, I hope he can.

Tom George is puzzled by the handicapper's reaction to Smugglers Blues' run at Wincanton in the fogCredit: Harry Trump (Getty Images)

"But this is a problem for British racing. He's changed hands twice because owners get fed up."

George added: "You couldn't see anything at Wincanton. All we know is he fell at the second last and he was in contention. Was he tired? I don't know. All I know is he went up three pounds for the privilege. On the other side of it, the old horse is in good form."

Hopefully, we will get to see if the handicapper's intuition is correct about how well Smuggler's Blues was travelling. Or at least for more than the final 100 yards of the race.

What they say

David Pipe, trainer of Gwencily Berbas
He only ran okay last time and we've put blinkers on him in the hope they can get him to concentrate a bit more. He's taking on his own age group now and he ran okay at Warwick first time out this season so hopefully he can put up a nice performance.

Oliver Greenall, joint-trainer of Midnight Moss
He ran a nice race last time. He probably just got a little bit tired and lonely and that should have put him spot on for this. Toby gets on well with him and the track and soft ground will suit him well. He seems to have as much enthusiasm as ever so he should go well.

Venetia Williams, trainer of Cuban Pete
He's been a bit disappointing but we've got some headgear on him which we hope might help. Ned [Fox] won this race for us last year on Grand Turina.
Reporting by Scott Burton

Read Saturday's previews:

1.50 Newbury: 'I toyed with the idea of the Challow' - who's hopeful of a big handicap run?

2.25 Newbury: who will add their name to the glittering honour roll in the Mandarin Chase?

2.32 Punchestown: 'I think he'll take some beating' - can in-form Barry Connell bag valuable pot?

3.00 Newbury: 'It's as good a Challow as I can recall' - but can anyone stop Hermes Allen?

3.35 Newbury: 'Natural' Nothin To Ask just one of host of progressive novices in hot handicap

Punchestown: Any Second Now starts out on road to Aintree return in quality conditions hurdle

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