Vertem - Very Different Stockbrokers Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 6m 57.40s

Whiskey Chaser^v²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 111| D

10/3

2lb higher than when successful at Haydock in December (2m7f heavy), beating the subsequent Chepstow winner Back To The Thatch by 3½L. Possibly not stayed/put it all in since, and visor yet to quite work the oracle.

Form: 2-15663

Nortonthorpelegend¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: C O'Farrell| T: R Menzies| OR: 111

9/2

In the grip of the handicapper for a while after rattling off a hat-trick between November 2016 and January 2017 (3m+). Better treated now but still to totally convince that he's anywhere near his best, merely plugging on at Wetherby latest (3m).

Form: 842834

Ascot De Bruyere^b³⁷⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Steven Fox⁽⁵⁾| T: J Ewart| OR: 110| BF

11/4

Made all, and had the race in the bag when left clear to finish alone at Kelso in March 2017 (2m5f+ heavy). Pulled up back there just a week later and absent since (for over a year).

Form: 34241P-

The Orange Rogue^t³⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander| OR: 107| CD

7/1

In contention but possibly held when falling three out at Ayr last month (2m5f+), but that form has been well advertised since by runner up Acdc. On his last winning mark, and took this very contest back in 2016 from a 5lb lower mark.

Form: 11-5PPF

Alto Des Mottes^p⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: H Hogarth| OR: 106| CD

9/2

Both of his chasing successes have come over this C&D, but he's been in moderate shape this season being pulled up on three of his four starts. Clearly a fortuitous winner here in January 2017 (soft), but 17lb lower today.

Form: P-5PP5P

Chanceofa Lifetime¹⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: Thomas Dowson⁽³⁾| T: V Thompson| OR: 83

9/1

Shown no worthwhile form since returning from a prolonged absence, plunging down the weights. Races from just outside of the handicap, so the others need to under-perform big style if he's to stand any realistic chance.

Form: 67-P665

Forecasts

Ascot De Bruyere (11/4), Whiskey Chaser (10/3), Alto Des Mottes (9/2), Nortonthorpelegend (9/2), The Orange Rogue (7/1), Chanceofa Lifetime (9/1)

Most of these are no strangers to the winners enclosure, with Alto Des Mottes recording both of his chasing victories over this particular C&D. However, it's fair to say that they've also plenty of question marks against their respective names at present and could be lining up in better form. Nortonthorpelegend is taking time to bounce back to his best after attracting the close attentions of the handicapper, whilst Whiskey Chaser doesn't always seem to want to deliver the goods, with the visor not working so far. Therefore, the obvious selection is THE ORANGE ROGUE. He took this contest back in 2016, and was running well when falling in a decent race at Ayr in March.