Expert Research At Vertem Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 5m 47.3s

Pain Au Chocolat²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Tony Kelly| T: R Menzies| OR: 135| C

5/2

Looked to have a positive future for Rebecca Menzies when scoring decisively on stable debut at Perth in April 2017 (2m good), but he's not quite kicked on. On his winning mark, and just touched off at Wetherby (2m3f+) on his penultimate start.

Form: 82U425

Special Catch⁷⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-11| J: D R Fox| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 134| CD

6/1

Not getting any younger and hasn't won since scoring at Sedgefield in January 2017 (2m3f+ good to soft). Generally always runs his usual solid race over this C&D, and he's won plenty of races on soft/heavy ground in the past.

Form: 322-62P

Plus Jamais^p²⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-4| J: Bruce Lynn⁽⁷⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 127| CD

11/10

Goes well at Ayr, but impressively is also 2,1,1,1 at Newcastle and has his ideal conditions underfoot today. 5lb above his last winning mark and pulled up in the Midlands Grand National latest, but every chance with a 7lb claimer booked.

Form: 11-161P

Un Guet Apens^b¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: C O'Farrell| T: J Ewart| OR: 124| D

4/1

Scored over 2m5f+ in first-time blinkers at Kelso in January, and races from just a 2lb higher mark today. However, his recent efforts over fences haven't been quite so alluring, and Pistol Park should have his measure as at Carlisle latest.

Form: 641256

Non-Runners

Pistol Park¹⁴

Weight: 11-6| Age: 7

T: B Ellison J: Nathan Moscrop

Forecasts

Plus Jamais (11/10), Pistol Park (13/8), Pain Au Chocolat (5/2), Un Guet Apens (4/1), Special Catch (6/1)

A small field, but the majority of these horses are strong Newcastle performers. Plus Jamais has tasted defeat just once in four starts at this track, and this race rates as much less of a test of stamina than the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter (pulled up). He's probably best suited to this 2m4f trip, but on the downside he's climbed steadily up the weights. On the other hand, PISTOL PARK is slipping to an attractive mark, and whilst undeniably strongest at 2m (2 from 2 at Newcastle), he's fancied to have just too much toe for his elder rivals.