Winner of this race in 2019 when it was last run, he has been in excellent form this year ahead of a repeat bid. He is further up the handicap but he has been crying out for a return to a longer trip. He goes on any ground, has no issues carrying big weights and will take the beating in what looks no more than a fair renewal below him.
This is a far softer contest than the one he was runner-up in at Sandown last time out from this same mark. He has been in the form of his life this season, with deep ground and a stiff track at this trip all very much in his favour. A couple of front runners in here will make this a decent test at the trip which will suit him perfectly.
Very well supported when hitting form with a vengeance at Carlisle earlier in the week. Three of the seven pounds of his mandatory penalty are removed with Billy Garrity getting the leg up. Given that he won that on the bridle by twenty-one lengths, if he is in the same form again now, he is very hard to oppose.
| Rank | Jockey Name | Rides Today | Runs | Wins | Win % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Brian Hughes | 6 | 163 | 40 | 25 |
13:35
Break From The Herd With Vertem Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)
WetlandsAnalysis14:10
Vertem - Very Different Stockbrokers Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)
Black PirateAnalysis14:45
Think Smart At Vertem Mares' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)
Lady TremaineAnalysis15:15
Vertem Eider Handicap Chase (GBB Race)
CyclopAnalysis15:50
Break From The Field With Vertem Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)
Bon RetourAnalysis16:25
Vertem-Leading The Field Handicap Chase (Challenger Middle Distance Chase Series Qualifier)
Ascot De BruyereAnalysis |
| 2nd | Danny Cook | 0 | 97 | 17 | 18 | |
| 3rd | Jamie Hamilton | 1 | 79 | 10 | 13 |
13:35
Break From The Herd With Vertem Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)
Master AlanAnalysis |
| 4th | Ross Chapman | 1 | 74 | 9 | 12 |
14:45
Think Smart At Vertem Mares' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)
YorgunnabeamunkyAnalysis |
| 5th | Henry Brooke | 3 | 71 | 8 | 11 |
The jockeys above are ranked by their number of wins at this course in the last 5 seasons.
| Rank | Jockey Name | Rides Today | Runs | Wins | Win % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Brian Hughes | 6 | 38 | 8 | 21 |
13:35
Break From The Herd With Vertem Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)
WetlandsAnalysis14:10
Vertem - Very Different Stockbrokers Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)
Black PirateAnalysis14:45
Think Smart At Vertem Mares' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)
Lady TremaineAnalysis15:15
Vertem Eider Handicap Chase (GBB Race)
CyclopAnalysis15:50
Break From The Field With Vertem Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)
Bon RetourAnalysis16:25
Vertem-Leading The Field Handicap Chase (Challenger Middle Distance Chase Series Qualifier)
Ascot De BruyereAnalysis |
| 2nd | Nathan Moscrop | 1 | 23 | 6 | 26 |
17:00
Vertem Investing For The Future Cond' Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (Northern Lights Two Mile Hdl Qual')
Wor VergeAnalysis |
| 3rd | Harry Skelton | 0 | 10 | 4 | 40 | |
| 4th | Charlotte Jones | 0 | 18 | 3 | 17 | |
| 5th | Ben Robinson | 0 | 5 | 2 | 40 |
The jockeys above are ranked by their number of wins at this course in the last 5 seasons.
| Rank | Trainer Name | Runs | Wins | Win % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Sue Smith | 94 | 19 | 20 | |
| 2nd | Nicky Richards | 66 | 13 | 20 | |
| 3rd | Philip Kirby | 64 | 11 | 17 | |
| 4th | James Ewart | 69 | 11 | 16 | |
| 5th | Micky Hammond | 83 | 11 | 13 |
The trainers above are ranked by their number of wins at this course in the last 5 seasons.
| Rank | Trainer Name | Runs | Wins | Win % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Rebecca Menzies | 44 | 8 | 18 | |
| 2nd | Brian Ellison | 30 | 6 | 20 | |
| 3rd | Dan Skelton | 13 | 5 | 38 | |
| 4th | Donald McCain | 32 | 4 | 13 | |
| 5th | James Moffatt | 19 | 3 | 16 |
The trainers above are ranked by their number of wins at this course in the last 5 seasons.
Having opened in 1882, the turf track at Gosforth Park hosted both flat and jumps racing. But in recent times this has changed as the turf course now hosts National Hunt racing only while the flat takes place on a tapeta surface which was built in 2016.
Course: Both the chase and hurdles tracks are galloping, left-handed circuits of a mile and six furlongs. Even though it’s generally flat, the final furlong is uphill and the conditions can get very testing so we need our tips to have plenty of stamina for the distance.
Feature Races: The main contests that we have tips for at Newcastle are the Fighting Fifth Hurdle in December. This is a Grade 1 race often used as a stepping stone to that seasons Champion Hurdle. The second race is the Eider Chase, held in February. It’s just over four miles in distance, which is always extremely stamina sapping at that time of year, attracting a competitive field.
High Gosforth Park, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, NE3 5HP.
see; www.newcastle-racecourse.co.uk. 0191-236-2020.
Air - Helicopter landing facilities.
Road - 4m N of city on the A6125 (nr A1).
Rail - Newcastle Station.
Free.
Toilets all areas, lift in Premier enclosure..
