16:30 Newcastle

Saturday 23 February 2019

All13:3514:1014:4015:2015:5516:3017:05

Vertem - Leading The Field Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:30 | Winning time: 5m 3.65s

Clan Legend^t⁶³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander| OR: 131| C

7/1

At his best in very testing ground and ran creditably after long absence at Haydock in December's Tommy Whittle Chase, only fading from 2 out over further than today. Eased 1lb and any rain would help his cause.

Form: 1412U-5

Just Don't Ask⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: B S Hughes| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 130| D

10/3

Progressive hurdler who won at just second time of aksing over fences when stayed on dourly to land Wetherby novices chase last time over this trip on first start following wind op. Makes handicap bow and may not be at all far away.

Form: 3211-71

Bernardelli^p³⁵¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-9| J: Craig Nichol| T: N G Richards| OR: 129| CD

14/1

Front-runner who scored over C&D back in December 2015 and took advantage of tumbling mark when wining at Ayr last time out. Back up 4lb and would be ideally suited by some more give in the ground.

Form: PP/4441-

Cave Top²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: W T Kennedy| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 128| D

11/2

Still unexposed as a chaser after four runs over fences, and won last time at Uttoxeter with more in hand than winning margin suggests. 6lb rise seems fair and has decent chance of following up if in similar form.

Form: 82-9641

Special Catch⁵⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-8| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 128| CD

22/1

More than two years since last win and has pulled up on three of his last four starts, although ran well in between when second at Wetherby in November over nearly 2m. Stays but is well into veteran stage and best days look to be behind him.

Form: 62PP-2P

Oak Vintage⁴³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Thomas Dowson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 125| D

16/1

Improved a remarkable 50lb and won five times in 2018 for Ann Hamilton. Sahped well at Wetherby in December on first start for new yard but not so good when last of five last time at Sedgefield. Looks in handicapper's grip now.

Form: 614425

Ascot De Bruyere^b⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Steven Fox⁽⁵⁾| T: J Ewart| OR: 122| C

5/2

Won three of his last five starts over fences and stayed on well at Newcastle last time to score over nearly 3m. Drops back in trip and is 5lb higher than latest success.

Form: 1P/1-761

Tayzar⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 120

9/2

Stable companion of Special Catch. Won at Kelso in November and has run respectably on his three subsequent starts, including when second last time at Sedgefield last time off this mark.

Form: 7P12U2

Forecasts

Ascot De Bruyere (5/2), Just Don't Ask (10/3), Tayzar (9/2), Cave Top (11/2), Clan Legend (7/1), Bernardelli (14/1), Oak Vintage (16/1), Special Catch (22/1)

CAVE TOP has potentially more improvement in him than his rivals and won very well last time at Uttoxeter so gets the nod off a 6lb higher mark. Ascot De Bruyere, Bernardelli, and Just Don't Ask also won their respective last outings in a race with plenty of depth. All can be given a chance, while both bottom weight Tayzar and top weight Clan Legend are by no means out of it either.