3:15 Newbury Tips

Brave Kingdom looks well weighted in this veterans' race. The ten-year-old has dropped ten pounds from his peak of 138 after winning over course and distance in December 2023.

I like the chances of this one. Ran 3rd in a veterans' race at Sandown, and he is effectively 6 lb lower here with Keighley taking off 5 lb. The softer ground here than what he encountered at Sandown will suit him better, and cheek pieces are added for the first time. Decent chance.

Two runs this winter. Excuses last time out, but only beaten 4L on his return in a decent handicap over a trip that was way too short for him. The 11-year-old is still running to a good level. He has been runner-up nine times over fences, but he is weighted to go well today. No problem with this 26f trip in this veteran's handicap chase.

In good form this year and has run well on every start this year. Likes it around here and looks hard to see how he won't be in the frame.

Winner of a veterans' event at Aintree in October who has run well in defeat in a couple of other similar races at Warwick and Cheltenham since. Is a decent yardstick at this level, so should run well once again.

Emma Lavelle's Hang In There won a very similar Veterans' Handicap to this at Chepstow on his penultimate start. While today's ground is softer than he would like, he has to be worth a few quid each way at 20/1.

Is well into veteran stage now so adapt runner in this oldtimers chase, which they won last year off 2lb higher mark. No show @ Ascot Lto, but does look like a horse that goes much better left handed and has a decent course profile here @ Newbury. Good conditional retains ride taking off 7lb and very good trainer 21 percent with his chasers here last 5 seasons, making current 14/1 very good Ew value in the race.

This is Capodanno's first run for this stable after leaving Willie Mullins. He has had a year to settle in, and this veterans' race may be a wise entry if he has kept his form and is fit after the break.

Copperhead is a veteran who brings a wealth of experience and C&D winning form. Prior to his unseating, he has shown me that he still has his ability and the return to the track where he's scored should play to his strengths. Tongue-tie and cheekpieces remain on, with 4 wins from 14. If he gets his mojo on, he’s very capable off this mark after being freshened up.