Manby Middlegate Development Available Now Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:31 | Winning time: 6m 14.40s

Vice Et Vertu^b³⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: P J Brennan| T: H D Daly| OR: 120| D

4/1

Third of just four finishers in a modest handicap at Newton Abbot last time and looks in the grip of the handicapper at present. Lost his way a touch over the last year.

Form: 12765-3

Craigmor^p¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: R Johnson| T: O Murphy| OR: 120| CD

6/4

Won three modest races (two over fences) in this grade since January and is notably open to further improvement in chases; the step up to 3m wasn't an issue for the gelding last time and he must enter the calculations despite a 6lb higher mark.

Form: 21P1-11

Derintoher Yank^h²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 114

7/1

Been consistent over fences and notable his yard is enjoying a welcome run of good form; needs to prove his stamina over the trip though.

Form: 343/76-5

Kings Temptation^t³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Kielan Woods| T: B I Case| OR: 112| DWS

11/4

Was a comfortable winner over 3m2f last time and shouldn't be troubled by the drop back in trip. Had wind surgery since and has a 5lb higher mark to carry but not fully exposed over fences and has gone close over C&D before now.

Form: F3284-1

Iskabeg Lane²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Henry Brooke| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 105| C

5/1

C&D winner in March and has won or made the frame in 10 of his 16 starts over fences. This requires a career best effort but very feasible the gelding has something more to give. Worth considering.

Form: 32217-2

Forecasts

Craigmor (6/4), Kings Temptation (11/4), Vice Et Vertu (4/1), Iskabeg Lane (5/1), Derintoher Yank (7/1)

Both the hat-trick seeking Craigmor and the unexposed Kings Temptation are worthy contenders at this level and merit serious consideration, but there are solid grounds for siding with ISKABEG LANE who is already a C&D winner and he edges the nomination on the grounds of the likely better value.