Dereham Handicap

Off time: 20:15 | Winning time: 3m 30.84s

(4)

Vilaine Verlaine¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Alicia Perkins⁽⁷⁾| T: M D I Usher| OR: 68

6/1

Struggled in 2 comeback outings this spring but put those behind her when second of 8 in 2m Kempton handicap 16 days ago, looking suited to the longer trip.

Form: 250-602

(5)

Now The Eagle²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Ryan Kavanagh⁽⁵⁾| T: L A Dace| OR: 68| D

5/1

Gained breakthrough success at Kempton (2m) in April and bettered that form when second back there on next 2 outings. Might have found the run coming too soon after only 5 days off when well held on turf at Newbury since.

Form: 7-81227

(3)

Prince Quattro⁹²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Mason Paetel⁽⁵⁾| T: James Owen| OR: 66| D

11/8

Kept very busy on all-weather over the winter, including winning a handicap over 1¾m at Southwell in January. Off 3 months. Has done most of his Flat racing on an artificial surface but is a 4-time hurdle winner so turf shouldn't be an issue.

Form: 775424

(1)

Betelgeuse^p1⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Billy Loughnane| T: S Woods| OR: 64

3/1

Wide-margin winner at Southwell in October and returned with good runner-up efforts there in April. Not in same form back on turf at Yarmouth twice since, though. Needs first-time cheekpieces to give him a lift.

Form: 15-2253

(2)

Dereham³⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 8-10| J: Nicola Currie| T: John Berry| OR: 55| CD

6/1

Consistent stayer who had lots to spare when winning this race for a third time last year. A reappearance fourth at Yarmouth (1¾m, good) should have put him spot on for another bold bid in this contest.

Form: 2123P-4

Forecasts

Prince Quattro (11/8), Betelgeuse (3/1), Now The Eagle (5/1), Dereham (6/1), Vilaine Verlaine (6/1)

DEREHAM showed enough to suggest plenty of his ability remains when fourth on his Yarmouth reappearance and is taken to build on that and win this for the fourth time in the last 5 years. Vilaine Verlaine proved her stamina for 2m when runner-up at Kempton last time and can fill the forecast spot.