HEARTSTRING was looking to put in an improved performance in her first start as a 3 year old and this time had apprentice Sean Davies on board in the That's Why I Fly From Newcastle Handicap 5f, Class 5, £3,752.02. Going was Standard but the temperature had dropped away rapidly by the time the 9:00pm race got underway.
HEARTSTRING came out of the stalls quickly but slewed sideways. Apparently the jockey had caught his foot/stirrup in the side of the stall which caused this less than hoped for start. She seemed to recover after that start and settled for a while but after a couple furlongs seemed to lose her rhythm and line and veered off to the outside, looking across to the main pack and not racing her own race.
They finished quite well strung out. WISE WORDS won easily at the end and is a progressive filly who didn't get the run of the race when third at Wolverhampton on her previous start. That was her first run at 5f, and this stiff track really seemed to suit her as she came home well to collar the favourite. INSPIRED THOUGHT looked feasibly treated off 74 after winning two novice events over 6f on Southwell's Fibresand. She was a bit uneasy in the market and though she travelled well she didn't pick up as well as the winner. Perhaps she needs 6f or maybe Fibresand suits her better than Tapeta but this was only her third run so she should progress further. KLOPP has had a good winter, but is perhaps high enough in the ratings now. However, she was a creditable third to a pair of lightly-raced sorts after being slightly hampered by HEARTSTRING at the start so wasn't disgraced. MURQUAAB showed promise early last season, but didn't progress and a first-time visor which was tried after another below-par run on his reappearance didn't really improve matters. He is becoming well-handicapped but is proving rather disappointing as well.
After the race HEARTSTRING appeared to be in some pain and distress and quite clearly isn't in full racing condition. We will let the vet have a look at her tomorrow and see what kind of problem we have.