Vertem - Very Different Stockbrokers Novices' Handicap Chase

5YO plus | Class 4 | 2m 75y | 9 Runners | Turf

Age: 9| Weight: 12-5| J: C O'Farrell| T: R Dobbin| OR: 122| BF| D

Talented, but also difficult to deal with (has refused to race on a couple of occasions); bled from the nose when disappointing at Doncaster (2m3f) in December; runner-up off this mark at Kelso (2m1f, good) immediately prior.

Form: 42R42-4

Ard Chros³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 12-4| J: Sam Coltherd⁽³⁾| T: W Coltherd| OR: 121| D

Somewhat of a mixed bag over fences (has twice fallen when beaten); 6lb higher than when making all to score by 9L at Kelso (2m½f, soft) in early January; the suspicion is that he could be found out by these stiffer fences.

Form: 3-4PF17

On A Promise⁶⁹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Craig Nichol| T: N G Richards| OR: 115

Sizeable, scopey grey; improving at a rate of knots over hurdles in late 2017/18 (winning at Wetherby, Hexham and Market Rasen); makes his chasing debut following a 698-day absence from the track (tendon injury); of interest for the future.

Form: 751121/

What's The Scoop²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 106| CD

Took full advantage of an under-performing Dunly when breaking his duck over C&D (soft) 25 days ago; 6lb higher in a slightly deeper race but it's difficult to knock his recent positive momentum; contender.

Form: P44421

Relkadam¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: T D Easterby| OR: 105

In deep on return to action from a 14-month absence (finished last of four to Dorking Cock) at Carlisle (2m, soft) earlier this month; has eased 5lb in the weights since; watch and monitor only for the moment.

Form: 544/3P-4

The Crazed Moon^p1,t¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: M Scudamore| OR: 105| D

One of a handful of Mark Dunphy-owned horses to make their way from Henry Oliver (via Claire Dyson) to Michael Scudamore; headed at the last when beaten 7L by Lady Master at Market Rasen (2m3f) 18 days ago; feasibly handicapped; cheekpieces go on.

Form: 5-44P92

Dunly^b²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: J Ewart| OR: 105| BF| CD

C&D winner (2-4 over fences); probably did too much early doors when under-performing under a 7lb penalty here 25 days ago (race won by What's The Scoop); sits on a career high handicap mark of 105.

Form: 86-5115

Ringaringarosie²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Danny McMenamin⁽³⁾| T: M Todhunter| OR: 104| D

Appeared beaten (before rallying) when winning for the second straight time at Sedgefield (2m½f, soft) in November; has found life tougher from an elevated handicap mark since; others readily preferred.

Form: 221135

Arcade Attraction⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 100

Nine-race maiden with unflattering form figures; hasn't appeared to be a natural over fences either (easing in the weights as a result); drops back in trip after finishing eighth of nine at Leicester (2m4f, heavy) last week.

Form: P587P8

Forecasts

What's The Scoop (11/4), Some Reign (9/2), Dunly (5/1), The Crazed Moon (6/1), On A Promise (7/1), Ringaringarosie (8/1), Ard Chros (12/1), Relkadam (16/1), Arcade Attraction (16/1)

What's The Scoop broke his duck when taking full advantage of an under-performing Dunly over C&D 25 days ago, and Sue Smith's veteran clearly merits respect. Meanwhile, Rose Dobbin's Some Reign is blessed with plenty of natural ability but also his fair share of quirks (often reluctant to race). For the future the most interesting horse in the line-up is the sizeable, scopey grey On A Promise who looked every inch a future chaser when winning at Hexham in late 2017. However, the snag is that he has been sidelined with a tendon injury. Therefore, for small stakes from her last winning mark (hurdles) the Michael Scudamore-trained mare THE CRAZED MOON gets the nod.