16:25 Newcastle

Saturday 27 February 2021

All13:3514:1014:4515:1515:5016:2517:00

Vertem-Leading The Field Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:26 | Winning time: 5m 16.88s

Clan Legend^t²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-11| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N W Alexander| OR: 135| C| D

7/2

In good form last season and built on reappearance to score cosily at Aintree in December. Excellent second at Sandown subsequently and looks set to put up another bold showing.

Form: 324-612

Demi Sang^p⁶³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 130

15/2

Not disgraced when fifth in a handicap at Wetherby a couple of months ago and mark has become appealing. However, remains winless for current yard away from Cartmel.

Form: 2-72335

Informateur¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Henry Brooke| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 127| D

6/1

Fairly useful hurdler who left chase debut form well behind when landing 19f maiden here in November. Only just denied at Carlisle since, but well held at Catterick 11 days ago.

Form: 17-6124

Ascot De Bruyere^b⁹¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-3| J: B S Hughes| T: J Ewart| OR: 127| CD

9/2

Enhanced good record (4-time course winner) at this track when readily making all over C&D 91 days ago. Up 7 lb but likely primed for another big run.

Form: 364B3-1

Last Goodbye^p,t¹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 125| D

10/1

Unreliable type who has failed to make an impact over fences since joining this stable and was down the field in a jumpers bumper at this course (AW) 19 days ago.

Form: 390-P39

Fortified Bay^v1²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Kielan Woods| T: J Candlish| OR: 125| C

7/1

Dual winner last season, including at this track, but he's been out of sorts so far this term.

Form: 11P-42P

Seemorelights⁷⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 125

16/5

Fairly useful hurdler at up to 3m who has started positively over fences and form of latest third in novice at Ayr looks strong. Worth chancing back from a break.

Form: 34F6/23

Non-Runners

Pougne Bobbi²¹

Weight: 11-0| Age: 10

T: K Dalgleish J: Craig Nichol

Forecasts

Seemorelights (16/5), Clan Legend (7/2), Ascot De Bruyere (9/2), Informateur (6/1), Fortified Bay (7/1), Pougne Bobbi (7/1), Demi Sang (15/2), Last Goodbye (10/1)

SEEMORELIGHTS showed up well for a long way when eventually third of 4 to a couple of talented rivals at Ayr last time, so there's every chance a mark of 125 underestimates him. He's preferred to the bang-in-form Clan Legend, while last-time-out C&D winner Ascot de Bruyere also makes obvious appeal.