Racecards
17:00 Newcastle
Break From The Herd At Vertem Handicap Chase (Class 5)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 2m 75y
- Going: Heavy
- Surface: Turf
- £6,606 added
- Winner: £3,314
- 2nd: £973
- 3rd: £487
- 4th: £350
- Form 361424
- Age 8
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 96
- Trainer J Ewart
- Jockey Steven Fox
chased leaders, ridden to challenge 2 out, every chance after last, kept on well
- Form 132-844
- Age 9
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 96
- Trainer N W Alexander
- Jockey W T Kennedy
held up, pushed along 6th, headway when hampered 4 out, weakened after next
- Form 044223
- Age 11
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 92
- Trainer T R Gretton
- Jockey Craig Nichol
held up in rear, headway 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon no impression, modest 3rd
- Form 7-46524
- Age 11
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 90
- Trainer Miss Lucinda V Russell
- Jockey D R Fox
held up, slow 3rd, soon lost place and in rear, outpaced 4th, headway when stumbled on landing and unseated rider 3 out
- Form 002443
- Age 8
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 90
- Trainer R Menzies
- Jockey C O'Farrell
led, hampered 4th, wandered under pressure approaching last, soon strongly challenged, held on gamely (1 fence omitted)
- Form 5P6362
- Age 10
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 75
- Trainer Kenny Johnson
- Jockey Alison Clarke
chased leaders, lost place 4th, behind from 5 out
- Form 767566
- Age 12
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 68
- Trainer V Thompson
- Jockey Thomas Dowson
tracked leader, jumped right 4th and 4 out, weakened 3 out, pulled up after next
Verdict
This is possibly the most competitive race on the card, though it’s difficult to make a case for bottom weight Duhallowcountry. The ground may not be ideal for Titian Boy or Captain Sharpe but Sky Full Of Stars will handle conditions and has every chance, despite conceding weight all round. LITTLE JIMMY is also engaged tomorrow at Plumpton but this looks a good opportunity for Tom Gretton’s 11-year-old, who is now 13lb lower than when last successful and has been knocking on the door lately.
Formwatch
Sky Full Of Stars (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) In touch, progress to join leader 4 out, effort 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last, 4th of 10, 5 1/4l behind Instingtive (10-7) at Ayr 2m hcp (5) hvy in Feb.
Titian Boy (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders on inside, not fluent 2nd, closed next, led 10th, headed 11th, not fluent 12th, soon led again, headed after 2 out, no extra and lost 3rd close home, 4th of 10, 4l behind Brown Trix (10-4) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Feb.
Little Jimmy 7-2 (11-7) Held up in 5th, closer in 4th place 6th, went 3rd 3 out, pushed along and stayed on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 7, 6 1/2l behind Frankie Ballou (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (5) hvy in Mar.
Ballycool (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, steadied after 1st, hampered next, headway 4 out, 4th and one pace 2 out, no extra flat, 4th of 8, 16l behind Diamond Rock (11-7) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Black Kettle (IRE) 4-1 (11-8) Chased leaders on outside, 2nd and every chance 3 out, soon dropped to 3rd, outpaced before next, 3rd of 7, 13 1/2l behind Frankie Ballou (10-13) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (5) sft in Feb.
Captain Sharpe 25-1 (10-2) Chased leader, led 2nd and soon went clear, reduced lead bypassing 7th, pushed along before 2 out, headed before last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Frankie Ballou (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (5) hvy in Mar.
Duhallowcountry (IRE) 22-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, weakened 7th, tailed off, 6th of 7, dist behind Frankie Ballou (10-13) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (5) sft in Feb.