13:10 Hexham

Friday 10 November 2017

All12:4013:1013:4014:1014:4015:1015:40

John Smiths Maiden Hurdle (Div 2)

Off time: 13:11 | Winning time: 4m 17.33s

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Selected odds by:

Black Art²³²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith

3/1

Former Emma Lavelle inmate who improved significantly for his debut when making the frame in a Chepstow bumper (2m, soft) when last seen in March. Bags of stamina in his Flat pedigree and market check suggested on hurdles debut.

Form: 83-

Crixus's Escape²³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: G Boanas

8/1

5-1 and possibly just a shade disappointing when running green on debut and finishing 15½L seventh of 12 at Musselburgh (2m½f, good) in March. Well-related in terms of pedigree success and we could see more now he goes hurdling. Market check.

Form: 7-

Diamant de L'Ouest²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: C R King| T: B Ellison

25/1

Well held in two bumpers and on both his hurdles runs to date, though did how a bit of improvement at Market Rasen last time. Will need another sizeable step forward to be capable of getting involved today.

Form: 89-67

Handy Hollow^h²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr

6/4

Went close in a bumper on debut in July and in the frame both starts since, including when a 21L third on his hurdles intro at Worcester last time (2m, good). Should be capable of better, especially over further, but also considered for today.

Form: 223

Lawtop Legend¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Jonathon Bewley⁽³⁾| T: G Bewley

100/1

Nice enough pedigree but has not shown much in two starts to date, beaten 60L and 28L in bumpers in December and then last month. Stamina looks likely to be much more his forte, so he will become more interesting when handicapping over further.

Form: 6-8

Prince Dundee²¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell

5/1

6-1 but was beaten when being pulled up is his sole Irish point-to-point in April. Half-brother 2m/2m4f hurdle winner Ben Dundee. Grandam a full-sister to classy 2m4f-3m chaser Nick Dundee. Could have a future though looks one to watch today.

Form: P-

Silk Or Scarlet¹⁹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander

7/1

Tried to make all here in a bumper (2m, good) in April and kept on well when headed to finish an eventual 12L third. Changed hands for £19,000 and now has stable/hurdles debut. Promising pedigree and a market check is suggested.

Form: 3-

War Joey¹⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Jamie Hamilton⁽³⁾| T: Mrs A Hamilton

28/1

Has been making minor gains in three starts so far, though clearly nothing special when considering that his hurdles debut over C&D (good) in June was his best effort and he was a 22L last of five. Unlikely to trouble the principals today.

Form: 0-75

Dolly's Dot²⁰⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Alex Chadwick⁽⁷⁾| T: V Thompson

125/1

Placed in three point-to-points and did not run badly in a Sedgefield novices' hurdle (2m4f, good) in April. Not seen since pulled up later that month, so has fitness to prove in addition to ability coming into this.

Form: 7P334P-

Forecasts

Handy Hollow (6/4), Black Art (3/1), Prince Dundee (5/1), Silk Or Scarlet (7/1), Crixus's Escape (8/1), Diamant de L'Ouest (25/1), War Joey (28/1), Lawtop Legend (100/1), Dolly's Dot (125/1)

The one to beat here is HANDY HOLLOW and although obvious he is nonetheless the suggestion for win purposes. Trainer Donald McCain looks to have found a good opportunity for him to break his duck here. Black Art is an interesting runner on his debut for Sue Smith, while Crixus's Escape, Prince Dundee and Silk Or Scarlet are all of interest and the market should be a good guide as to expectations for them today.