Vertem-Leading The Field Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:04 | Winning time: 5m 16.03s

Dreams Of Home²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 135| C

11/2

Ended last season on a winning note at Perth and picked up where he left off by landing a 17f Kelso handicap on return in December. Not so good next 2 starts, however. Back up in trip.

Form: 531-144

Easy As That⁵⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Shane Quinlan⁽³⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 133

7/2

Dual bumper winner who made winning handicap hurdle debut at Chepstow (19.4f) 2 years ago. Jumped sketchily when beaten in match on chase bow at Ffos Las after a long absence but much sharper when winning handicap chase at Haydock (21.6f, soft) 57 days ago by 7½ lengths from Ubetya. More to come.

Form: 1241/21

Ubetya^p³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Henry Brooke| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 128| D

13/2

Gained first success over fences when making all at Perth in April on final start for Paul Nicholls. Better for return when excellent second in handicaps at Bangor and Haydock (behind Easy As That) but needs to shrug off a poor run at Wetherby.

Form: 41-3224

Five Star Getaway^p1⁶⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams| OR: 127| D

3/1

Not disgraced first 2 starts this term but ran poorly at Kempton over Christmas, a race that he won last year. However, has dropped to a tempting mark so no surprise if he bounces back after a break with headgear applied.

Form: 380-450

Chinwag^p,t⁵⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 125| D

14/1

Did well over fences last season, scoring at Ffos Las and Plumpton. However, well held both starts this term so has something to prove.

Form: 131P-4P

Dubai Days^h²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Bruce Lynn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 125| C| D

7/2

Won trio of small-field handicap chases last term and best effort this season when close second at Ayr 24 days ago. This harder but not taken lightly.

Form: 11-5532

The King Of May²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: P W Wadge⁽⁷⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 122| CD

10/1

Fairly useful chaser but fell heavily at this track last month and next effort at Wetherby was poor. Others preferred.

Form: 14-32F5

Forecasts

Five Star Getaway (3/1), Easy As That (7/2), Dubai Days (7/2), Dreams Of Home (11/2), Ubetya (13/2), The King Of May (10/1), Chinwag (14/1)

FIVE STAR GETAWAY possibly wasn't over his experience at Aintree when running poorly at Kempton so could be worth chancing off a tempting mark back from a break and with headgear applied. Easy As That proved all the better for his chase bow/belated comeback when scoring at Haydock and is the obvious threat with further progress likely.