14:30 Hexham
Tuesday 28 March 2017
All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:30
Download The App At 188Bet Handicap Chase
- 5YO plus  |  Class 5  |  2m 4f 15y  |  Heavy (Soft in places)  |  9 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 14:31Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 5m 45.44s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Has already repaid his connections their £7,000 November 2016 purchase price in three starts for the yard. Ran out a narrow, idling winner of a 2m7f+ handicap hurdle here in December, before being placed over fences at Ayr in mid January. Dropped in trip with a welter burden to carry on return from an eight to nine week break.
Has done extremely well over fences since September 2016, winning on three occasions despite switching yards. His Sedgefield victory on debut for this trainer in February came over a shorter trip (2m), and he has been beaten from this 8lb higher mark twice since, including when taking a heavy fall just two weeks ago.
Four time winner over fences, including over C&D for this rider in November 2015, but has been out of form this season. Probably a shade quirky, he needs to bounce back, but has dropped 15lb since racing here (over further) in December 2016.
Has only managed the one career success from 23 starts (over fences at Ayr in January 2015), and has largely been out of form for the best part of two years now. A switch back to hurdles last time at Newcastle didn't prove a fruitful one, and has questions to answer despite being handicapped to go close if returning to form.
Far from a natural over fences, and was comfortably beaten by Bandol at Sedgefield on his most recent start in February. Whilst he's better off with that rival today (dropped a further 6lb by the handicapper), he's not really looked like building upon his sole career hurdles success yet, but it should be noted that his stable are in form.
Eleven race maiden who was twice let down by his fencing at Ayr in late 2016, and those falls appear to have left their mark judging by his laboured effort back over the larger obstacles at Carlisle in early February. A clear round is seemingly the first objective, with connections able to build upon that going forward.
Frustrating 17 race maiden who often finds little at the business end of a race, as demonstrated both last time at Carlisle, and when 'throwing away' a golden winning opportunity at Newcastle in January. Has the ability to go close for course Chief Executive and owner Robert Whitelock if in the mood to do so.
Longstanding 31 race maiden who can often be relied upon to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Travelled well but found little off the bridle when going down by 14L to Mumgos Debut on his seasonal return over C&D in November 2016, and has been off since being pulled up at Ayr (3m) in mid January. Can go well (to a degree) when fresh.
Stablemate of Under The Red Sky, and a six time winner (just once over fences) but has been well below his best of late, and was pulled up when last visiting this particular track in November 2016 (behind Trouble In Paris).
Forecasts
Under The Red Sky (7/2), Master Rajeem (9/2), Orioninverness (5/1), Verko (13/2), Trouble In Paris (8/1), Oak Vintage (9/1), Bandol (10/1), Captain Sharpe (12/1), Silverton (25/1)
A race which can be kindly best described as full of equine 'characters'. Both Trouble in Paris and Under The Red Sky are fully signed up members to the smooth travelling but find little off the bridle merchants, with the latter in particular throwing away a golden winning opportunity at Newcastle in January when going down by a nose to Harley's Max. Others such as Oak Vintage and Orioninverness have looked far from natural fencers in their chase starts to date. With Master Rajeem and Bandol both steadily climbing the handicap, a real chance is taken with the out of form VERKO in the hope that his fall down the weights can coincide with a return to form in a race in which little makes any significant appeal.
- Verko
- Under The Red Sky
- Bandol
Prize Money
1st: £3,249.002nd: £954.003rd: £477.004th: £238.00
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