Dingo Dollar fits the bill as new kids on the block bid to keep seniors at bay

Sunday: 2.05 Aintree
Jewson Widnes Vieux Lion Rouge Veterans' Handicap Chase | Class 2 | 3m 210y | 10yo+ | ITV4/RTV

The last two runnings of this race have been won by wide margins by an enthusiastic, bold-jumping front-runner, and both Minellacelebration and Wishing And Hoping run again this year, the latter 7lb lower than when he won two years back and the latter 7lb higher than a year ago.

Both are 12 now, and no 12-year-old has won this race since it was introduced to the Old Roan card in 2009. The same goes for the previous leg in the veterans' series, won by Some Chaos at Chepstow the other week. This is not to say that older horses cannot win these races, although it does back up the idea that the younger cohort hold sway when they first enter veterans company.

This is because most of them have recently been competing in top, open-aged handicaps. Cloth Cap and Dingo Dollar ran in the Grand National in April. Windsor Avenue won the Sky Bet at Doncaster in January. At the other extreme, former Liverpool Hurdle winner If The Cap Fits will be making his handicap debut over fences on his first start for David Pipe.

Many of the above had what could be termed wasted seasons in 2021-22. Cloth Cap looked to have issues, while If The Cap Fits struggled to find his new level but managed to show useful form.

Dingo Dollar looks the most interesting, as he was campaigned around the Grand National but did not take to the spruce fences. He had been second in the Scottish National the previous spring, shaping best, and showed plenty of spark in his prep runs including a third in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle.

Sandy Thomson's horses tend to come on for their first run, but if Dingo Dollar has been brought here sharp enough he is worthy of strong interest. It may also help that when he is on his day he is an enthusiastic, bold-jumping front runner.
Race analysis by Keith Melrose

Touch of class

Dingo Dollar is a new recruit to veterans chases as he turned ten this year and the classy performer is back at Aintree over the lesser fences after unseating his jockey last time out in the Grand National in April.

Trainer Sandy Thomson has ruled out a third crack over the National fences next April and is instead eyeing the final of today's series at Sandown.

He said: "Dingo Dollar had a great season two years ago and last season the owners wanted to have another crack at the Grand National which compromised his season a little. The plan would be to get him qualified for the veterans chase final.

"He's not going to the National this season as he doesn't jump the fences well enough. There's a picture of him jumping a fence besides the eventual winner at some point and his nose was on the ground. He could turn up in the Scottish National in the spring if the ground is nice enough."

What they say

Jonjo O'Neill, trainer of Cloth Cap
He's in good form but his wind is not getting any better and it's a case of fingers crossed.

Mel Rowley, trainer of Wishing And Hoping
He won the race last year and is very well. He's a year older but he doesn't seem to be slowing down. The biggest negative could be the ground.

David Dennis, trainer of Indy Five
He had a great time in this series last year. He's had a nice break since and is ready to go again.

Charlie Longsdon, trainer of Potters Legend
He's new to us and is a grand old servant who still maintains his enthusiasm. The plan is to get him qualified for the final and if he could run into a place that would be fantastic.
Reporting by David Milnes

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