Race of the Day on Sky Sports Racing: Sue Smith team can score again in Newcastle feature with The Paddy Pie | Racing News

Mike Cattermole offers his verdict on the most valuable race on Newcastle’s Nationwide Hunt card, live on Sky Sports Racing on Thursday at 2.48pm.

The Follow @attheraces on Twitter Handicap Chase more than two-and-a-fifty percent miles is the most important race on the Newcastle card and it sees the fast reappearance of Concealed Commander just after his game win over the study course and distance a 7 days ago. He has a 7lb penalty to overcome.

THE GROUNDWORK

Heavy rain for most of the working day on Tuesday amounted to 14mm overall with a equivalent total forecast right away and into race day by itself. The recent superior, fantastic to gentle in sites may adjust to great to delicate or perhaps softer come race time as it is the penultimate contest of the working day.

CONTENDERS

Slanelough

Expert chaser with a few wins from 24 commences above fences who gained a match listed here very last March but has been well held because, which include soon after a six-thirty day period break at Ayr. Typically likes to entrance-operate and is arguably far better at about the minimum amount journey.

Geryville

Ex-French chaser who joined Micky Hammond at the get started of the final campaign and began with a convincing win above just small of this trip at Wetherby.

Was mostly despatched above 3 miles following that and received a further acquire on this program when he rallied late to get the far better of The Ferry Learn in March.

Carried out incredibly respectably on his new reappearance at Wetherby, again over a few miles, tiring on the run-in and shaping as if he just desired the run. Commenced favourite that day, way too. Dropping back in vacation but could have far more to give and is considerably revered.

Hidden Commander

Justifies credit for digging deep above the class and distance a week ago when having the far better of new ex-French recruit Heroique De Maulde, the pair pulling 11 lengths distinct.

Has a 7lb penalty to get over these days which is 2lb bigger than his new mark. Also, the floor this time is probable to be relatively softer than previous 7 days and that may well make it harder for him as he seems far more powerful on a sounder surface.

Da Vinci Hand

His two wins in the United kingdom have both been around two miles and at Catterick, whilst he does seem to be to stay this vacation. Off because March when he bled from the nose and is almost certainly very best watched now.

The Paddy Pie

Popular racer who has a good deal of knowledge and is racing more than what is arguably his greatest trip.

A fantastic next at Wetherby previous January was not definitely constructed on and as a consequence he has slipped to a extremely reasonable mark now. He returned to Wetherby for his reappearance run – his initially for 8 months – and formed well prior to fading following jumping the second past.

The stable variety has been a substantial issue currently but there have been symptoms that issues are commencing to flip the corner and, yesterday at Hexham, they were back amid the winners for the first time in months. With both of those the vacation and softening ground now in his favour, this could nicely be the time to capture him.

Rowdy Rustler

Chase debut for him right now and has his to start with operate given that a wind procedure (his next) but Lucinda Russell and Peter Scudamore are in great variety with a great deal of winners currently.

Final witnessed profitable here around the exact length above hurdles in February. Likes to make the jogging and is deserving of regard – and also a shut test in the betting!

VERDICT

Concealed Commander did nicely right here past week but ailments will be tougher for him this time. Geryville is highly regarded but the suspicion is that he could be suited by a bit additional.

Now that the Sue Smith team is again amongst the winners, the attractively handicapped The Paddy Pie is the choose, though the 8/1 is now very long gone.