Expert Research At Vertem Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 5m 47.30s

1^st

Pain Au Chocolat

711-12

5/2

T: R MenziesJ: Tony Kelly

Jumped well, with leader, led 3rd, made rest, driven clear after 3 out, very easy (1 fence omitted) op 2/1

2^nd

Un Guet Apens

1011-1

4/1

T: J EwartJ: C O'Farrell

Chased leaders, not fluent 7th or 8th, driven when mistake 10th, soon weakened, tailed off when left in remote 3rd 4 out, left in remote 2nd before last, no chance with winner op 11/2 tchd 6/1

Also Ran

Special Catch

1111-11

6/1

T: Ruth JeffersonJ: D R Fox

Chased leaders, took closer order approaching 5 out, hampered and left in 2nd 4 out, not fluent next, weakening when tired mistake 2 out, soon pulled up op 9/2

Plus Jamais

1111-4

11/10f

T: I JardineJ: Bruce Lynn (7)

Led until 3rd, remained prominent, rallying when blundered and unseated rider 4 out op 6/4

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Non-Runners

Pistol Park¹⁴

Weight: 11-6| Age: 7

T: B Ellison J: Nathan Moscrop

Betting Breakdown

Tote Win:£2.90EX:£14.90Trifecta:£20.80SF:£11.72

Forecasts

Plus Jamais (11/10), Pistol Park (13/8), Pain Au Chocolat (5/2), Un Guet Apens (4/1), Special Catch (6/1)

A small field, but the majority of these horses are strong Newcastle performers. Plus Jamais has tasted defeat just once in four starts at this track, and this race rates as much less of a test of stamina than the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter (pulled up). He's probably best suited to this 2m4f trip, but on the downside he's climbed steadily up the weights. On the other hand, PISTOL PARK is slipping to an attractive mark, and whilst undeniably strongest at 2m (2 from 2 at Newcastle), he's fancied to have just too much toe for his elder rivals.

Pistol Park
Plus Jamais
Pain Au Chocolat

Previous Winners

2017

No Planning

Weight: 11-2 |Age: 10

J: Sean Quinlan | T: J Parkinson & S Smith

5/2

Prize Money

1st: £7,343.002nd: £2,156.003rd: £1,078.004th: £539.005th: £350.006th: £350.007th: £350.008th: £350.00