Vertem-Leading The Field Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:30 | Winning time: 5m 17.2s

Rock On Fruity²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Alain Cawley| T: B Haslam| OR: 135| CD

6/1

Won twice here this season over 2m7½f and C&D. Found valuable class 2s tougher subsequently but back to a proven level and just 1lb higher than last win he's a genuine contender even if this trip is probably a bare minimum.

Form: 571195

Pain Au Chocolat^p1,t⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: C O'Farrell| T: R Menzies| OR: 133| CD

6/1

Won this race 12-months ago and off a 2lb higher mark too. Not been in such form this term with four non-descript efforts but obviously is within range handicap-wise.

Form: 12-0639

Cave Top¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Ross Turner| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 128| D

3/1

Uttoxeter winner this season has generally been in good order throughout the campaign. Fell four out latest when disputing the lead but no reason he can't bounce back from that to make a bold bid.

Form: 96412F

The Paddy Pie³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 126| D

2/1

Made the frame in last nine starts so fast becoming one of the most consistent young horses in training. Second latest after back-to-back wins at Sedgefield and Haydock shower this mark still within range and sure to go well.

Form: 233112

Lord Wishes^b¹⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 10-11| J: Dale Irving⁽³⁾| T: J Ewart| OR: 120| D

17/2

Won three times over fences but all came back in 2016. Recent efforts short of the required level here even though falling handicap mark is a help.

Form: PU0/6-44

Caraline^p,t¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Billy Garritty⁽⁷⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 118| C

6/1

Wetherby win last time her seventh over fences and raise of 4lb for that here not enough to rule her out by any means. Consistency can be an issue but best form will see her go well.

Form: P55931

Non-Runners

Tiquer¹¹⁹

Weight: 11-6| Age: 11

T: A E Jones J: Daniel Sansom

Forecasts

The Paddy Pie (2/1), Cave Top (3/1), Tiquer (9/2), Pain Au Chocolat (6/1), Rock On Fruity (6/1), Caraline (6/1), Lord Wishes (17/2)

We don't see a great deal of TIQUER these days but when we do he usually runs well and his record fresh is a definite positive here, he ran an excellent race when last seen in December also so he gets the vote in quite a warm contest. Ultra-consistent The Paddy Pie will almost certainly make the frame for the 10th time on succession and Rock On Fruity is also within range handicap-wise.