16:50 Hexham
Sunday 25 June 2017
All13:5014:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:50
Bet totePlace Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus | Class 5 | 2m 48y | Good (Watered) | 14 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 16:58 | Winning time: 4m 1.4s
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Bolted up in a 2m selling hurdle at Fakenham (good) in early May, and beaten narrowly by Towering (runs earlier) over C&D three weeks ago. Runner up again at Uttoxeter since, but slowly inching up the weights and concedes weight all round.
Six-time winner but only one of those has come since 2014, a selling handicap hurdle at Market Rasen in December 2016. Shaped as if improvement was likely when returning from a six month break at Newton Abbot earlier this month, and as a C&D winner (April 2013) could come into the reckoning.
Made all to score by 9L in a most unsatisfactory contest at Newcastle in March (2m heavy), but in all fairness backed that up with a decent showing over C&D from a 7lb higher mark last month. Others slightly better treated.
Ran by far and away his best race for this yard when runner up to previous winner Onlyfoolsownhorses at Perth last month (2m4f good). Reasons to believe that this drop in trip will be helpful, and has ran well at this track previously (for Rebecca Menzies). Up 4lb.
His sole win came at Sedgefield in September (2m4f good) from this mark, but he has struggled to replicate that effort in four starts since, and it must be questionable as to whether this trip will prove too short for him.
A seven time career winner from 84 starts, but absent since January, and very tough to fancy at the age of thirteen following a six month break.
Kept busy at Newcastle during November and December 2016, with his best effort coming when 19L second to the then in-form mare Annie Alainn (2m soft). Back from a six month break, but an overall career record of 2 from 47 shows his level.
A seven race rules maiden (five starts over hurdles), and the switch to handicapping hasn't brought about all that much improvement. However, dropped a few pounds and better ground could help, and this trainer is no stranger to saddling winners this side of the Irish Sea. Possibly better to come and market informative.
Generally runs his race, but never manages to get his head in front despite a plethora of opportunities in low grade contests in the North (0 from 26 over hurdles). Had a spin on the Flat since a couple of reasonable runs at this track, but as always, others likely just that bit stronger.
Five of his six career jumps successes have come at this track, and he ditched a long losing sequence when driven right out to see off The Pine Martin over C&D three weeks ago. Out of the handicap for that success, this rider keeps the mount and much respected.
12 race maiden, but well backed when a 2L runner up to Civil Unrest at Sedgefield in April (2m good). Appeared to find 2m6f too far at Cartmel late last month, and despite being upped 3lb, no surprise if he goes close.
Formerly a winner for David Dennis, but off the track for many months prior to stable debut at Cartmel in late May. Not totally disgraced (although well beaten) by handicap blot My Renaissance, so possibilities she can do better with more time.
Stablemate of Anginola, but not won since 2013, and not great in two starts for this trainer since leaving Tracy Waggott. Looked reluctant to race at Southwell latest and no surprise to see blinkers added.
Has visited the racecourse 39 times, and to date has been unable to deliver an elusive first victory. Often out runs his odds, but rated just 71, it'll be a major surprise if he breaks his duck today.
Non-Runners
10
Mrs Grass45
Weight: 10-7| Age: 10
T: J C Haynes J: Thomas Dowson
NR
16
King's Chorister38
Weight: 10-0| Age: 11
T: F P Murtagh J: Lorcan Murtagh
NR
Forecasts
Oh So Gigolo (4/1), Motion To Strike (9/2), Morning Time (15/2), Back To Balloo (17/2), Rockabilly Riot (9/1), Swaledale Lad (10/1), Frightened Rabbit (11/1), Secret Approach (16/1), Copt Hill (16/1), Mrs Grass (16/1), Anginola (20/1), Ange Des Malberaux (20/1), First Of Never (20/1), Gunner Lindley (20/1), King's Chorister (33/1), Claude Carter (40/1)
The last race at Hexham for a couple of months looks a tricky puzzle to solve. Recent C&D winner Morning Time is always to be feared at this track and ended a long losing run when driven right out to score three weeks ago. Oh So Gigolo should be noted for market support, and will be much better suited by this trip than the 2m6f he raced over at Cartmel last month. Swaledale Lad shaped as if he needed the race at Newton Abbot recently, but MOTION TO STRIKE gets a narrow vote for Jackie Stephen. Formerly with Rebecca Menzies, this seven-year-old ran his best race for this new yard at Perth on his most recent outing, and despite a 4lb rise in the weights could be good enough to go one place better in a moderate affair.
- Motion To Strike
- Oh So Gigolo
- Swaledale Lad
Prize Money
1st: £2,924.002nd: £859.003rd: £429.004th: £215.00
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