Think Smart At Vertem Conditional Jockeys' Training Series Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 7m 12.6s

Rivabodiva^t⁶²

Age: 8| Weight: 12-1| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁸⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 102| BF| D

6/4

Won just once in 18 starts, so the fact that she carries top-weight tells you this isn't overly competitive. Proved herself to be a true Ayr mud-lark this winter, so holds every chance under an excellent young rider (claims 8lb).

Form: 031242

Auldthunder⁴⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Reed| T: T Reed| OR: 99| D

16/1

Been pointing since leaving the care of Micky Hammond, and now 14lb below his last winning mark (Sedgefield, April 2016). Beaten miles by Galway Jack in a Hunters Chase at Wetherby (match) on his last rules start.

Form: 2P-6526

Gogo Baloo²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Robert Hogg⁽³⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 97

9/4

Posted a career best effort from this mark on her second start in a handicap at Wetherby last month (2m3f+ heavy) when finishing just under 4L third to Main Fact. Possibilities, especially as the wind operation seems to have worked.

Form: 34-P633

Play Practice¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: James Corbett| T: J Walton| OR: 78| D

10/1

Maiden point-to-point winner on soft ground in March 2016, but hasn't seen much racing for her age. Pulled up at Carlisle last month (2m1f hurdle), and rates as most unappealing.

Form: 51/P83P

Mayze Bell³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: Blair Campbell| T: A C Whillans| OR: 78

5/1

Back from a lengthy absence at Hexham last month (2m heavy), but didn't really show much to suggest she's a winner in waiting. Upped sharply in trip, dropped 6lb.

Form: 4U/555-4

Honeychile Ryder²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Mr Aiden Blakemore⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 67

17/2

A ten race maiden who is tumbling down the handicap, but for good reason. Badly out of sorts so far in 2018 and doesn't appear to have all that much to offer.

Form: 56/4-5R8

Atlas Peak³⁸

Age: 13| Weight: 10-0| J: Edward Austin⁽⁵⁾| T: V Thompson| OR: 59

66/1

Rated just 59, he's plodded around in the rear on all four starts since returning from a four year absence in January, and quite frankly racing doesn't look his game nowadays at the ripe old age 13.

Form: 9P/P774

Forecasts

Rivabodiva (6/4), Gogo Baloo (9/4), Mayze Bell (5/1), Honeychile Ryder (17/2), Play Practice (10/1), Auldthunder (16/1), Atlas Peak (66/1)

Effectively a mares race with the two geldings Auldthunder and Atlas Peak holding little and no chance respectively. Market support would be notable for Mayze Bell and Honeychile Ryder, but both of those mares have appeared of very limited ability so far. Gogo Baloo has improved for wind surgery, but she should play second fiddle to the the mud-lark RIVABODIVA who will never have a better opportunity to record a second career success.