Bet toteJackpot Conditional Jockeys' Selling Hurdle

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 5m 54.33s

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Ballyrock^t,v²⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-5| J: George Blackwell⁽⁸⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 120| BF

2/1

17L winner of a 2m4f Fakenham selling hurdle on his penultimate start before going down narrowly over the same trip to Ascendant at Ffos Las earlier this month. Stays this trip (has won over 3m in the past) and has the assistance of a useful 8lb claimer. Rated 120.

Form: P5641-2

Horace Hazel^b¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: David Noonan| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 117| D

11/8

His last victory came over fences in June 2016 at Worcester (2m7f good), but since his return to the track in early May, he's regularly finished in the frame. Beaten only ½L by Restraint of Trade in a 2m5f Uttoxeter handicap hurdle latest (good to soft) and should be suited by this longer trip and drop in grade. Rated 117.

Form: 1P6-332

Towering^p²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr Lewis Gordon⁽⁵⁾| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 117| C| D

4/1

Driven out to take a course selling hurdle (2m) three weeks ago on his first start for this trainer (cost £3,000 from Nicky Henderson). Whilst he has won over this trip previously, he was much more reliable back in those days, and face a couple of reasonable rivals for the grade today. Rated 117.

Form: 52PPP-1

Flying Jack^t⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Dale Irving| T: M A Barnes| OR: 89

25/1

Frustrating sort who has yet to display any real ability in 13 career starts despite the addition of various aids (tongue tie, cheek-pieces etc). Drops into selling company after running out at the fourth fence in a novices chase here last weekend. Rated 89.

Form: 88-666U

Sun Spider¹⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Mr Kaine Wood⁽⁶⁾| T: B Ellison

17/2

Ex Irish, but not shown too much in a couple of starts in novice hurdles for this yard. Absent since racing at Newcastle in January, and whilst this drop in grade could help, it's hardly a glowing endorsement of his level of ability.

Form: 2377-

Arousal^p1¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Sam Coltherd| T: Miss T Jackson| OR: 66

250/1

Not too much to set the pulses racing with regards to this mare, as she's now a 16 race maiden who with regularity has plenty more in front of her than behind. Always struggling at Uttoxeter latest (pulled up), and easily ignored. Wears first time cheek-pieces. Rated 66.

Form: 4836-P

Forecasts

Horace Hazel (11/8), Ballyrock (2/1), Towering (4/1), Sun Spider (17/2), Flying Jack (25/1), Arousal (250/1)

Realistically there are only three runners with a chance in this rather dismal opener to Ladies Day at Hexham. Horace Hazel should appreciate this longer trip and drop in grade after a decent showing in a Uttoxeter handicap hurdle, whilst the 2m7f trip is a slight concern for 2m course winner Towering. The booking of George Blackwell, who receives a handy 8lb claim (for his own stable) sways the vote towards BALLYROCK. A reproduction of either of his last two performances in this company ought to be good enough for this top-rated (120) veteran.