February 25 / 16.03 Newcastle

16.03

Good To Soft

Vertem-Leading The Field Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £13007.5
  • 2m 4f 19y
  • Class 2
  • 7 runners
SKY
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Vertem-Leading The Field Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

OUR TIP

6/4 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £2.20

Form: 241/21 D

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Very lightly raced 8yo who won at Haydock (2m5f, soft) in December on his second run back from a long absence; had something to spare and a 7lb rise may not stop him if he handles this ground (all starts on soft/heavy).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

9th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 0f 37y

Class 3

16:10 Sandown

Easy As That

11st 12lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Second-season chaser who shaped with some encouragement in Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) on reappearance but has disappointed twice since; slipping in the weights but needs to rediscover his spark.

9/1

12th

9

27th Jan 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

13:15 Cheltenham

Easy As That

10st 9lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Venetia Williams

prominent, lost position and midfield after 3rd, dropped to last 10th, mistake 11th, bad mistake 5 out

9/1

6th

8

16th Dec 2023

Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 1

14:25 Cheltenham

Easy As That

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Won emphatically at Haydock (2m5f, soft) and Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) last season and looked ready for a step up in distance when a never-nearer sixth of 14 to Stage Star in the 2m4f Paddy Power here on reappearance; bred to relish today's extra yardage (he's out of a half-sister to the high-class staying jumper Time For Rupert) and looks a fascinating candidate at the bottom of the weights.

9/2

100/30

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 80-450 D

Last run: 60 days

W: 11st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
There's a suspicion that 3m may be his best trip nowadays and he was disappointing at Kempton in December last time out; however, he received an early reminder and perhaps he'll be sharper now in cheekpieces; has dropped below his last winning mark and could have a part to play.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

1st Jun 2026

Yielding

2m 7f 150y

16:42 Listowel

Five Star Getaway

11st 11lb

J: Mr J J Berry

T: John Paul Berry

Old boy was smart handicapper in Britain back in the day; took advantage of his rivals' mishaps when winning at Fairyhouse; beaten a long way in the Champion Hunter Chase at Punchestown.

20/1

11th

5

1st May 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 160y

16:15 Punchestown

Five Star Getaway

12st 0lb

J: Mr J J Berry

T: John Paul Berry

In the form of his life when winning four races over fences for Christian Williams in 2021; had been running well enough in points before profiting from the mishaps of fancied rivals to win at Fairyhouse.

28/1

1st

5

5th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 180y

17:30 Fairyhouse

Five Star Getaway

12st 0lb

J: Mr J J Berry

T: John Paul Berry

In the form of his life when winning four races over fences for Christian Williams in 2021; has been running well enough in points but nothing to suggest he could win a race of this standard

33/1

Form: 1-5532 C

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Won three times last season (soft/good to soft) and has worked his way back to top form this term, going close at Ayr (2m5f, soft) last time; back up 2lb but every chance he'll be bang there once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:30 Ayr

Dubai Days

10st 6lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Won over C&D (soft) in February before respectable sixth of 17 in veterans' final at Haydock (2m4f, good) a fortnight ago; 11 visits to Ayr have yielded five wins and this is his time of year; could go well.

16/1

6th

14

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

Dubai Days

10st 11lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

His last six wins have come in the months of February, March or April and he returned to form to win at Ayr (2m4f, soft) 40 days ago; runner-up in this race two years ago (soft) and won over C&D (good to soft) last February; that latest win reads well and a 4lb rise isn't harsh; possible player.

12/1

1st

1

23rd Feb 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 4

15:00 Ayr

Dubai Days

12st 2lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

12yo who hasn't been at the top of his game on either outing this term and was tailed off at Aintree most recently; however, this is the stage of the season when he tends to come good and he's 2lb lower than when scoring at Haydock last February; has won here four times, and on various ground.

6/1

Form: 31-144 C

Last run: 20 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Course hurdles winner (good to soft) who made it two chase wins in a row when scoring on his reappearance at Perth (2m1f, soft) in December; however, two lesser runs have followed and he's unproven at this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

22nd Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 51y

Class 4

13:50 Catterick

Dreams Of Home

11st 4lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Martin Todhunter

Useful chaser at best for Donald McCain but last win was almost two years ago and he's struggled in two hurdle runs for new yard this autumn; on reduced mark back over fences but he has something to prove and all of his rules wins have been at shorter trips; cheekpieces added.

16/1

4th

7

22nd Nov 2024

Good

2m 3f 51y

Class 4

13:50 Catterick

Dreams Of Home

11st 4lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Martin Todhunter

Useful chaser at best for Donald McCain but last win was almost two years ago and he's struggled in two hurdle runs for new yard this autumn; on reduced mark back over fences but he has something to prove and all of his rules wins have been at shorter trips; cheekpieces added.

16/1

Form: 1-3224 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Uncharacteristic below-par run at Wetherby last time; however, he went there on the back of two good seconds (2m4f/2m5f, heavy/soft) and he won on good to soft ground last April; he's a contender if bouncing back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

25th Jul 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:50 Worcester

Ubetya

11st 5lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

midfield

14/1

3rd

1

15th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

20:15 Uttoxeter

Ubetya

12st 2lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

Very well handicapped on old chasing form and seemed to have turned a corner when fourth over hurdles at Ludlow (3m, good) in April but last month's Huntingdon fouth was a rather laboured effort and others in this field have more persuasive profiles; won't mind what the weather does.

14/1

4th

7

21st May 2024

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 3

19:40 Huntingdon

Ubetya

11st 4lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Jedd O’Keeffe

Lost his way over fences last season and was safely held when back over hurdles in February but last month's staying-on fourth at Ludlow (3m, good; about 6l behind Planet Legend) was much more encouraging, and he remains very well handicapped on older form.

10/1

Form: 4-32F5 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 1lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Disappointing at Wetherby three weeks ago but he's been in pretty good form otherwise this season and has been given a good chance by the handicapper; won over C&D last April and could go well if returning to form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

29th Jun 2025

Soft

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

17:05 Cartmel

The King Of May

11st 6lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

5-30 over fences, his latest win coming off 1lb lower here (2m5f, soft) last July; still has to prove his stamina, but he ran well for a long way on his stable debut/return from 253 days off at Hexham (3m, good to soft) 15 days ago; could go well.

7/1

4th

5

14th Jun 2025

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

17:28 Hexham

The King Of May

11st 8lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Tristan Davidson

Won off a much reduced mark at Cartmel (2m5f, soft) last summer but didn't go on from there and this 11yo has been out for a while.

14/1

5th

3

4th Oct 2024

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

17:15 Hexham

The King Of May

11st 8lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Brian Ellison

in touch with leaders

10/1

Form: 31P-4P D

Last run: 57 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Won twice last season and has dropped below his last winning mark; however, he was pulled up last March and there's been no return to peak form on his two outings this term; needs to raise his game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

3

28th Apr 2023

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

20:10 Chepstow

Chinwag

11st 10lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Well handicapped judged on hurdle and chase form of previous campaigns; this is his first season without a win and he's been right out of form when trying headgear on last three starts; no headgear today but, after one attempt last November, his stamina for this sort of trip has not been proved.

40/1

7th

8

18th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:50 Uttoxeter

Chinwag

11st 4lb

J: A P Heskin

T: Neil Mulholland

disputed lead, headed before 3 out, weakened quickly 2 out

16/1

5

25th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 2

16:03 Newcastle

Chinwag

11st 4lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Neil Mulholland

Won twice last season and has dropped below his last winning mark; however, he was pulled up last March and there's been no return to peak form on his two outings this term; needs to raise his game.

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £11.90
Straight Forecast £14.80
Trifecta £34.40

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Dreams Of Home

SPOTLIGHT:

Dubai Days

Telegraph:

Easy As That

RP Ratings:

The King Of May

D Express:

Five Star Getaway

The Times:

Dreams Of Home

Daily Mail:

Dreams Of Home

The Sun:

Dreams Of Home

Daily Record:

Easy As That

POSTDATA:

Dubai Days

Daily Mirror:

Dubai Days

The Star:

Dubai Days

The Guardian:

The King Of May