Race cards · Sat 26 Feb
Saturday 26 February · Newcastle, England
15:50 Break From The Field With Vertem Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)
- Distance
- 2m 0f 46y
- Going
- Good to Soft (Good in places)
- Class
- 2
- Prize
- GBP 19000
- Runners
- 5
Race preview
Donald McCain has a strong hand in this with Minella Plus, whose winning spree ended with a third-placed effort at Catterick last time, and Since Day One, who had been making hay in novice hurdles until finishing second at Musselburgh last time. Soft Risk has an unblemished record, winning a bumper and three novice hurdles for Nicky Richards and he could be a major player on his handicap debut, but LIVELY CITIZEN edges the vote. The seven-year-old scored at Cheltenham before having to be pulled up after his saddle slipped at Prestbury Park two starts ago. He resumed sinning ways with a victory at Leicester last time and could be able to defy a 4lb rise for that here.
| Pos | Horse | Form | Jockey | Trainer | Wgt | SP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Since Day One | 2-41112 | Peter Kavanagh | D McCain Jnr | 11 4 | 9-4 | |
| 2 | Soft Risk | 1111 | Sean Quinlan | N G Richards | 11 2 | 1-1 | |
| 3 | Theatre Legend | F517-83 | Alan Doyle | C Grant | 11 5 | 6-1 | |
| 4 | Minella Plus | 221113 | Theo Gillard | D McCain Jnr | 11 5 | 8-1 | |
| - | Diocletian | 4516-P | Bruce Lynn | N W Alexander | 11 3 | 50-1 | |
| NR | Lively Citizen | 33-31P1 | Archie Bellamy | D J Jeffreys | 11 0 |