Racecards
15:00 Newcastle
Totesport.com Handicap Hurdle (Class 3)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Heavy, Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- Form 331361
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 125
- Trainer Michael Smith
- Jockey M J McAlister
chased leaders, ridden and lost place approaching 3 out, soon weakened
- Form 112-0F
- Age 5
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 125
- Trainer J & S Quinn
- Jockey G Lee
tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 3 out, ridden and effort next, kept on same pace, under pressure flat
- Form 1P-013P
- Age 7
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 124
- Trainer M A Barnes
- Jockey Ben Orde-powlett
tracked leader, led before 3rd, made rest, ridden 2 out, edged left, stayed on gamely flat
- Form 576461
- Age 7
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 124
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
- Form 1-2U2P0
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 115
- Trainer P Monteith
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
held up, headway on inside approaching 3 out, soon ridden, outpaced when jumped right last, kept on flat
- Form 63336/P
- Age 8
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 114
- Trainer P Monteith
- Jockey K Renwick
always towards rear
- Form 780415
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 113
- Trainer Miss Lucinda V Russell
- Jockey P Buchanan
mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, ridden and kept on from next, no impression
- Form F22
- Age 5
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 111
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from next
- Form 575259
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 100
behind, ridden 3 out, never on terms
- Form U-695F4
- Age 10
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 108
- Trainer A C Whillans
- Jockey E Whillans
Nonrunner
In depth
Verdict
A chance is taken with Double Vodka, who edges a narrow vote over Overstrand and Texas Holdem, while Torkinking can also go well and, as he had a legitimate excuse for his below par effort at Uttoxeter (saddle slipped), he cannot confidently be ruled out. Especially as he is back over a more appropriate trip today. Watch the betting with him. Texas Holdem has crept up the rating after a series of good performances. He looks sure to run his race but has a touch more improvement to find. Overstrand bounced back to winning ways at Market Rasen eight days ago and will be a big threat if he is in the same frame of mind. He is still on an attractive mark at present and will be dangerous to overlook today. However, Double Vodka has really started to get his act together over hurdles and, as he has far more scope for improvement, he is fancied to make the most of a good opportunity at the weights this afternoon.
Formwatch
Benbyas 40-1 (11-6) Led to approaching 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out pulled up 3 out in race won by Dom d'Orgeval (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) hvy, 14 ran.
Texas Holdem (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, headway 3 out, led before next, stayed on well, won at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Jan beating Return Home (10-0) by 2 1/2l, 15 ran.
Dont Call Me Derek 9-2 (11-5) Chased leaders, blundered 4th, close 3rd when fell 2 out in race won by Sun King (9-4) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd, 14 ran.
Torkinking (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Prominent, saddle slipped 3rd, went 2nd 8th until after 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out pulled up 4 out in race won by Dom d'Orgeval (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) hvy, 14 ran.
Overstrand (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Held up, pushed along and headway 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on well to lead flat, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs beating Pseudonym (10-0) by 3l, 11 ran.
Andre Chenier (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, 12th of 17, 23l behind Crow Wood (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf.
Cita Verda (FR) 6-1 (11-12) Held up, weakened from 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out pulled up 3 out in race won by Birdwatch (11-0) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft, 13 ran.
Culcabock (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Close up, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 5th of 7, 30l behind Supreme Leisure (11-3) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan.
Double Vodka (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) In touch, smooth headway from 4 out, hit next, one pace after last, 2nd of 15, 3l behind Masafi (11-10) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Jan.
Uptown Lad (IRE) 14-1 (10-3) Close up, every chance 3 out, weakened next, 9th of 16, 22l behind Culcabock (9-10) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Jan.
Brave Vision 20-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, outpaced halfway, rallied 3 out, no impression from next, 4th of 13, 14l behind Birdwatch (11-0) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.