17:00 Newcastle
Saturday 8 April 2017
All14:0514:4015:2015:5516:3017:0017:45
Fresh Approach At Vertem Handicap Chase
- 5YO plus  |  Class 5  |  2m 75y  |  Good (Good to Soft in places, Watered)  |  7 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 17:00Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 4m 4.5s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
16 race maiden, but will certainly appreciate the much sounder surface than when finishing sixth of 11 over C&D to William Money in February. A three time runner up since October 2016, he's consistent enough from this kind of mark and ought to go close enough in a winnable race.
Exploited a 9lb lower hurdles (than chasing) mark when winning at Ayr in February, but also proved his versatility by following up over fences at Catterick early last month. Remains over fences, with both marks now identically aligned (up 6lb to a mark of 96). Should go close on his debut at this track in pursuit of the hat-trick.
Veteran handicapper who doesn't win that often, and last got his head in front at Wetherby in March 2014 (rated 105). Falling in the weights, but with good reason, and no better than a detached fifth of ten behind Ballythomas at Musselburgh (3m) latest.
C&D winner in March 2015, and followed up a few weeks later at Kelso. However, badly out of sorts since and struggled on both his most recent runs in December 2016. Possibly will have benefited from the break and should appreciate this ground, but looks an unlikely contender.
Far from a natural over fences, and his career has nose dived since winning a 2m4f novices hurdle at Sedgefield in March 2016 (beat Rolling Thunder by 6L). Undeniably well treated if his local trainer can coax some more enthusiasm from him, but can only be watched until this occurs.
Regular Sedgefield front runner, and saves his best efforts for that tricky Durham venue, as demonstrated when winning by a neck there from Roxyfet last month. Folded tamely next time at Southwell and will again likely struggle to get home at this stiffer track.
Remains a rules maiden (but did win two Point-to-Points way back when) and is very difficult to fancy on what he's shown this winter, including at this track (2m4f) in January.
Non-Runners
2
Time And Again26
Weight: 11-12|Â Â Age: 7
T: Tim Vaughan  J: George Blackwell
NR
Forecasts
Chain Of Beacons (2/1), Time And Again (2/1), Sky Full Of Stars (10/3), Oak Vintage (4/1), My Idea (13/2), Tambour Major (8/1), Duhallowcountry (14/1), Have You Had Yours (16/1)
This race rests between those horses towards the top of the weights, with a much improved run from Chain Of Beacons expected now that he's back on a sound surface. Time and Again is an interesting runner for Tim Vaughan, and if he can cut out the mistakes, he looks certain to go well around this stiff track, but marginal preference is for the hat-trick seeking SKY FULL OF STARS who missed a planned engagement here last month (non runner), and with the ground well watered this week, he might just get away with this faster racing surface and record a second career success over the larger obstacles.
- Sky Full Of Stars
- Chain Of Beacons
- Time And Again
Prize Money
1st: £2,534.002nd: £744.003rd: £372.004th: £186.00
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