Racecards
14:53 Newcastle
Think Smart At Vertem Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 4)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 2m 190y
- Going: Good to Soft
- Surface: Turf
- £8,300 added
- Winner: £4,520
- 2nd: £2,082
- 3rd: £1,041
- 4th: £521
- Form 723-233
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 111
- Trainer D McCain Jnr
- Jockey B S Hughes
prominent, pressed leader 2 out, soon led, pushed out run-in, ran on well
- Form 3
- Age 7
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer Miss Lucinda V Russell
- Jockey D R Fox
led, shaken up and headed after 3 out, pushed along and not fluent 2 out, hit last and faded run-in
- Form 7-P
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer R M Smith
- Jockey Ryan Mania
in rear, awkward and unseated rider 1st
- Form 46/1
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer L Horsfall
- Jockey Charlie Price
mid-division, went prominent before 3 out and pushed along, dropped away tamely before 2 out, tailed off
- Form F-7F
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer N P Mulholland
- Jockey Danny McMenamin
towards rear, mistake and reminders 4th, struggling 4 out, tailed off
- Form 2-R
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer Christian Williams
- Jockey Jack Tudor
chased leaders, led after 3 out, not fluent 2 out and soon headed, ridden and kept on run-in, always held
- Form 102
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Ruth Jefferson
- Jockey Sean Quinlan
mid-division, went 4th after 3 out, ridden before last, kept on, not pace to challenge
- Form 05524
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 101
- Trainer R Menzies
- Jockey Aaron Anderson
in rear, lost touch 3 out, tailed off
In depth
Verdict
BLUE FIN was staying on over 2m3f at Catterick and though he may not be suited by dropping back in trip Brian Hughes should ensure a strong gallop which will play to his strengths. Long Symphony was the shock winner of a Wetherby bumper and makes his debut over timber while Si Elegant, runner-up at Auteuil in 2021, was well supported at Hereford three weeks ago but ran out when in the lead. Winning point-to-pointer Hashtag Boum looked as though he might need further than this after staying on over the minimum at Wetherby while the ex-Irish Lenebane has had wind surgery since a moderate debut for new connections at Musselburgh.
Formwatch
Blue Fin (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Close up, ridden and every chance 2 out, ran on, 3rd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Supreme Gift (12-0) at Catterick 2m 3f (4) sft in Jan.
Caithness (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Rear mid-division, pushed along home turn, stayed on steadily from 3 out, not trouble front pair, 3rd of 10, 22l behind Colonel Harry (11-12) at Newcastle 2m 1f (4) sft in Jan.
Captain Nelson (IRE) 250-1 (11-4) Towards rear, slow 2nd and 3rd, not fluent 5th, soon well behind, pulled up before 3 out, at Ayr 2m mdn (4) gs in Dec.
Long Symphony (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, led halfway, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and strongly challenged over 2f out, stayed on gamely, won at Wetherby 2m mdn (5) gs in Feb beating Mr Bramley (11-7) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
Shuil Ceoil (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Towards rear, made brief headway after 3 out, fell 2 out, at Wincanton 1m 7f (3) gs in Feb.
Si Elegant (FR) 9-2 (11-9) Raced keenly, led until ran out 5th, at Hereford 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in Feb.
Hashtag Boum (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway before 3 out, shaken up and went 3rd 2 out, pushed along before last, stayed on, no match for winner, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Ruby Island (11-7) at Wetherby 2m (4) gs in Feb.
Lenebane (IRE) 11-1 (10-7) Chased winner, went 2nd before 3 out until before next, ridden and no impression between last two, weakened and lost modest 3rd towards finish, 4th of 5, 17 1/4l behind General Officer (11-7) at Musselburgh 2m (4) gs in Dec.