Scottish National winner Joe Farrell out to turn clock back in veterans' chase

2.05 Newbury
William Hill Supporting Greatwood Veterans' Handicap Chase | 3m2f | 10yo+ | ITV4/RTV

The first thing to say about this race is that favourites have an awful record, although that may not be significant given it is difficult to predict what might go off market leader in what looks a wide-open contest.

Considering these veterans' races were designed for runners whose best days are behind them it makes sense to look particularly closely at those who are relatively unexposed.

Strong Pursuit certainly fits the bill after just nine runs under rules. Although his jockey clearly overdid things in front when he was last of the six finishers over course and distance in December, that took him to 0-4 over three miles or further and a tendency to jump right doesn't help matters.

Le Rocher is another who has yet to fully convince when stepped up in trip, and while Dark Flame has some good form over three miles, he also seems better going right-handed, as he showed when second in a veterans' race at Sandown in November. He hasn't won since 2016, a stat which also applies to Singlefarmpayment and Theatre Guide.

Topweight Virgilio has done all his recent winning on good ground, and although Antony has scored on soft, his last couple of victories have been on decent going and he may not be the strongest stayer at the trip in testing conditions.

A runner whose stamina should not be in question is Joe Farrell, who won the 2018 Scottish National over four miles. That remains his last success and he was only sixth in this race last year, but he was beaten only a length in a veterans' chase on soft ground at Chepstow in October. He did well to finish seventh in the highly competitive Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury the following month considering he raced on the outside of the field.

Less exposed than most, he’s back on the same mark as at Chepstow and has a terrific record after a layoff (four of his five wins).

Horatio Hornblower is an oddity as the only runner to have won this season, although another career-best at the age of 12 is probably asking a bit much.
Race analysis by Pietro Innocenzi

What the stats say

Theatre Guide was second in the race last year but goes off 1lb higher this time, while Joe Farrell, sixth 12 months ago, returns on the same mark.

What the trainers say

Dan Skelton, trainer of Virgilio
He will come on for his last run at Huntingdon but he's still got top weight and I don't think that gives him much chance to be honest; the handicapper has barely dropped him over fences. At his age, I don't see 149 being a winning mark. Anything up to soft will be fine as he's getting older and probably wants a bit of cut now.

Rebecca Curtis, trainer of Joe Farrell
He ran well in the Ladbrokes Trophy and it was a shame he made a mistake just as they quickened. I'm really looking forward to running him and he's in brilliant form at home. He's not run because the ground has been so horrible and I know it won't be nice but hopefully it'll be wet enough to get through. I think he'll go well and he loves Newbury.

Theatre Guide: this race has been the plan for a whileCredit: Mark Cranham

Colin Tizzard, trainer of Theatre Guide
This will be his last season and we've been waiting for this since his last run at Sandown, which was good and he wasn't beaten far at all. It's ideal and he's always been very good around Newbury, and the ground will be fine. He's lovely and happy at home.

Philip Hobbs, trainer of Strong Pursuit
The trip and the soft ground will suit him. He's got an each-way chance.

Richard Rowe, trainer of Dark Flame
He's put two really good runs together after a long layoff and has had a bit of a break. He's come back in really good form, but I just hope there isn't too much rain. The wind might help dry it, but he's in really good form. I'm very happy with him and he's nicely in.

Gary Moore, trainer of Antony
He's 3lb out of the handicap, and it's a tough race. He'll need to produce a career-best to win.
Reporting by James Burn

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