Vertem Management Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:56 | Winning time: 5m 6.2s

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Selected odds by:

Special Catch⁵³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Tony Kelly| T: J M Jefferson| OR: 138

9/2

Eight time career winner (including over C&D) who has maintained a consistent level of form over a number of seasons for previous trainer Keith Reveley, and for this new yard. Made a winning debut for the Jefferson's at Sedgefield in January (2m3½f good to soft) and not disgraced from 3lb higher when third at Ayr seven weeks ago.

Form: 14P132

Holly Bush Henry^t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 135

2/1

Useful handicap hurdler last season winning at Doncaster and Musselburgh and gradually getting the hang of chasing after a slow start. Not overly impressive when winning at Market Rasen in February, he was better at his fences last time at Kempton (runner up), and now goes left-handed and upped in trip.

Form: 62123-9

Lord Wishes^b¹¹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Steven Fox⁽⁵⁾| T: J Ewart| OR: 133

8/1

Talented bumper and novice hurdle winner whose career was on the slide for a while, but he has now won three times in eleven starts over fences. No concerns with regards trip or ground, he could return fresh having been off since December 2016 and did win off a short break at Wetherby in October.

Form: 3106PU

No Planning⁷⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 128

5/2

Ten time winner from 39 career starts, but has not won since March 2016 (3m heavy at Ayr). Making steady headway when falling at the tenth over 2m7f in the much stronger Rehearsal Chase here in November, which suggests he has claims over this shorter trip, but comfortably held the past twice with the combination of better ground and an easing mark possibly helpful (won on good in 2014).

Form: 6F3416-

Un Noble⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Craig Nichol| T: N G Richards| OR: 123

9/2

Two from three at this track, but was pulled up over 2m7f here in January in what was effectively his first start since winning in April 2016 (unseated rider at the first at Kelso in November 2016). Pulled up behind Special Catch at Ayr in February, but now a further 3lb lower and could be well suited to racing prominently on better ground. No back number despite recent form figures.

Form: P1/UPP4-

Forecasts

Holly Bush Henry (2/1), No Planning (5/2), Special Catch (9/2), Un Noble (9/2), Lord Wishes (8/1)

A tight little handicap chase in which a case can be made for all five runners. No Planning is interesting if travelling with the same zest that he did in the Rehearsal Chase in November, whilst it's still early days for Holly Bush Henry over fences. Special Catch is possibly high enough in the weights, so a chance is taken that UN NOBLE can get things his own way off the front end, and see out his races better with some recent runs under his belt at a track which appears to suit and on drying ground which could see him in a vastly different light to late.