CHUCKLESTONE can enter the veterans' `hall of fame' by winning the BBC Radio Bristol Handicap at Bath today.
It is risking being committed to the madhouse to tip a 13-year-old on the Flat, let alone to nap it, but Jeff King's old stager really does look to have a fine chance.
Bath has very much been Chucklestone's favourite haunt in recent years. He's notched up seven wins at the track, the last coming in this contest two years ago.
And though age is clearly finally catching up on this grand stalwart, who made his race-course bow way back in October 1985, be showed he retains ability over course and distance last month, making most of the running and sticking on once headed to finish under four lengths fourth to Paradise Navy.
That was a fair contest and today's race could not have cut up much better.
John Dunlop's Bold Classic will have his supporters. But the three-year-old looked utterly ordinary before scrambling home in a Yarmouth maiden handicap.
He has a welter burden, and, taking into account weight-forage, has to concede over 40lb to Chucklestone, who has plummeted to the foot of the handicap.
