Vertem - Very Different Stockbrokers Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 4m 15.2s

Black Pirate^b1,t³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: B S Hughes| T: J Ewart| OR: 122| DWS

5/1

Two hurdle wins. Sound start to chase career when third in 2m handicaps in recent months but the fact he's undergone a second wind op in a short time is a slight worry. Blinkers replace cheekpieces.

Form: 2/114-33

Slanelough²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: C O'Farrell| T: R Dobbin| OR: 120

5/2

Dual hurdle winner. Still without a win over fences but has hit frame on last 4 starts, finishing in front of Discko des Plages when second at Doncaster latest. Perhaps this can finally be his day.

Form: 4-84232

Ain't My Fault^p,t⁷⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 119| D

14/1

Opened his account over fences in 2m Hexham novice handicap in October but he could only manage a remote fourth over C&D when last seen in December. Remains 4 lb above his successful mark.

Form: 2P3164

Smiths Cross^v1⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: R Patrick| T: M Scudamore| OR: 112| D

11/4

Blinkered first time (visored now), back on track when third of 14 at Wetherby (2m) earlier in the week. Had fallen twice over fences prior to that so jumping has to be a bit of a worry back chasing.

Form: 205FF3

Discko Des Plages^t⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: W T Kennedy| T: R Hobson| OR: 108

5/2

Overcoming a poor round of jumping to win at Catterick in December. Looked on the way to another win (going best) only to unseat 3 out at Uttoxeter last weekend. Big chance if he cut out mistakes.

Form: 61-613U

Forecasts

Discko Des Plages (5/2), Slanelough (5/2), Smiths Cross (11/4), Black Pirate (5/1), Ain't My Fault (14/1)

SLANELOUGH is hardly one for maximum faith given his 0-14 chase record but he has been knocking on the door this season and had Discko des Plages behind him when second at Doncaster last month. Richard Hobson's charge likely would have improved to win again at Uttoxeter last weekend had he not unseated 3 out but his jumping is a concern so Rose Dobbin's 9-y-o can confirm Doncaster placings.