16:30 Newcastle

Saturday 22 February 2020

All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:05

Vertem-Leading The Field Handicap Chase

5YO plus | Class 3 | 2m 4f 19y | 11 Runners | Turf

Unbeaten in three starts at Newcastle (2m-2m4½f), just 1lb higher than when winning unchallenged from the reopposing The Paddy Pie (Apr 2019); pulled-up after blundering two out (beaten) at Wetherby on Boxing Day; trainer saddled a double yesterday.

Form: 391-F3P

Flowery^h²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: C O'Farrell| T: I Jardine| OR: 133| D

Hasn't always been straightforward but has found his niche over fences, rising a total of 22lb in the weights for wins at Sedgefield (2m3½f) and Wetherby (2m5½f); was headed close home over hurdles at Uttoxeter (2m4f, heavy) four weeks ago.

Form: 1211-22

Zolfo^p³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 130| D

Just keeps on defying the attention of the handicapper; incredibly game when completing the four-timer at Market Rasen (2m3f, soft) last month, beating Bandsman by a head; sits 4lb higher (22lb rise since the winning run started).

Form: 851111

Clan Legend^t²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander| OR: 129| C

Hung tough when scrambling home at Kelso (2m1f, soft) over the festive period; incredibly consistent since, including when beaten 4¼L by Nuts Well (was completing a hat-trick) at Wetherby (2m3½f, soft) three weeks ago; form ties in with Bollin Ace.

Form: 43-5132

Protek Des Flos³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: B J Geraghty| T: B Haslam| OR: 128

Formerly in the care of Nicky Henderson; has eased in the weights since joining Ben Haslam; could finish only a modest third (beaten 28L) to Charmant (The Paddy Pie fell) at Wetherby (2m3½f, soft) last month; Barry Geraghty returns to the saddle.

Form: 130/3-33

Golden Whisky⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 126| D

Jumped right throughout (made all) and idled when landing the odds at Ffos Las (2m3½f, heavy) in late November; was set a very stiff task (Cl 2) at Ascot on his next start the following month; this looks much more realistic.

Form: 10-P31P

Scoop The Pot²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Alain Cawley| T: B Haslam| OR: 122

Twice a winner over fences (Exeter & Fontwell) for Philip Hobbs; has eased in the weights (some 11lb or so) since joining Ben Haslam (also saddles Protek Des Flos); essentially is difficult to fancy given his current form.

Form: 247445

Bako De La Saulaie¹¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 122

Has plenty of placed form over fences (0-8), including when finishing a close second to Skipthescales at Wetherby (3m, soft) in December 2018; lost his place from halfway (pulled-up) on seasonal reappearance at Aintree (October); other days ahead?

Form: 24/322-P

Bollin Ace^p²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: T D Easterby| OR: 122| D

Won a Leicester beginners' chase (2m, heavy) in March 2018 and twice runner-up in novice company thereafter; finished third (9L behind Clan Legend) on return from a 22-month absence at Wetherby (2m3½f, soft) three weeks ago.

Form: 21522/3

The Paddy Pie³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 120| D

Competitively handicapped off a reduced mark of 120; has previous C&D form with Pain Au Chocolat in addition to more recent history with Flowery (Sedgefield); was on the premises when falling three out at Wetherby (2m3½f) four weeks ago; chance.

Form: 224-73F

Kamil^p⁴⁷⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Henry Brooke| T: H Hogarth| OR: 117| D

Won over hurdles (Limerick) and fences (Ballinrobe) for Noel Meade during the summer of 2018 before joining Henry Hogarth for £17,000; off the track since finishing fifth of 13 (40-1) at Carlisle (2m4f, good) in November 2018; retains potential.

Form: 57/1145-

Forecasts

Flowery (7/2), Zolfo (4/1), Clan Legend (6/1), The Paddy Pie (7/1), Bollin Ace (8/1), Golden Whisky (10/1), Protek Des Flos (10/1), Bako De La Saulaie (12/1), Pain Au Chocolat (12/1), Kamil (20/1), Scoop The Pot (25/1)

A seriously tough Saturday handicap in which a reasoned based argument could be made for any number of those declared. The likes of Zolfo (seeking a five-timer) and Flowery (has risen 22lb in the weights) continue in a rich vein of form, while both The Paddy Pie (dangerously handicapped) and Pain Au Chocolat (3-3 at Newcastle) shouldn't be dismissed with haste. However, in pursuit of the winner we'll elect to focus upon the Wetherby form line featuring CLAN LEGEND and Bollin Ace. On that occasion, Nick Alexander's representative travelled smoothly for much of the race when beaten by a bang-in-form Nuts Well, and may gain swift compensation.