Break From The Field With Vertem Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:51 | Winning time: 3m 50.45s

Minella Plus³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Theo Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 126| BF| D

8/1

Completed hat-trick with another commanding performance from the front switched to handicap company at Musselburgh in December Hampered at Catterick last time so that run can be excused. Hood off.

Form: 221113

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Theatre Legend²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Alan Doyle⁽⁷⁾| T: C Grant| OR: 126| CD

6/1

Off 7 months before fading eighth of 10 in 2m handicap hurdle at Wetherby in October. Off a further 3 months but much more like it when third at Sedgefield 4 weeks ago.

Form: F517-83

Since Day One²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽⁷⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 125| BF| CD

9/4

Completed a C&D hat-trick in January, drawing clear from last flight. Held back by a couple of mistakes when runner-up 3 weeks ago but opening mark is fair.

Form: 2-41112

Diocletian⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Bruce Lynn⁽⁵⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 124

50/1

Useful stayer on Flat who opened account over hurdles in a maiden at Fakenham (20f) 14 months ago. Not at best under either code thereafter, virtually refusing to race on recent stable debut.

Form: 4516-P

Soft Risk⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR: 123| D

1/1

Easy winner of Ayr bumper on debut in May and has landed the odds all 3 hurdles starts since in novice company. Opening mark may underestimate him so very much the one to beat.

Form: 1111

Non-Runners

Lively Citizen²⁴

Weight: 11-0| Age: 7

T: D J Jeffreys J: Archie Bellamy

Forecasts

Soft Risk (1/1), Since Day One (9/4), Lively Citizen (4/1), Theatre Legend (6/1), Minella Plus (8/1), Diocletian (50/1)

SOFT RISK has passed each test so far and from a very fair opening mark with the prospect of more to come too, he's expected to remain unbeaten. The bang in-form Donald McCain team are responsible for Minella Plus and Since Day One and they are feared most.