17:50 Hexham

Tuesday 23 May 2023

All17:5018:2018:5019:2019:5020:2020:50

Hexham Racecourse Supporting Northumberland County Show Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:51 | Winning time: 6m 5.48s

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Selected odds by:

Mr Hailstone³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Cillin Leonard| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 97

9/1

Looked to be labouring turning for home but stayed on from the rear to win 19.5f Chepstow handicap 38 days ago. Easy to see why connections are sending him over a longer trip this time and he's less exposed than most of these.

Form: 82/F421-

Velasco^p,t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Theo Gillard| T: S Corbett| OR: 94

11/2

Well treated on old form and belatedly took a step back in the right direction for this yard when second of 16 over C&D 17 days ago, with Something is Golden and Tara Brooch behind in third/fourth. Major player if able to build on that for yard which has won this race twice in the last 10 years.

Form: P7077-2

Something Golden¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Dylan Johnston⁽³⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 86

4/1

Modest maiden who ran with credit when third of 16 over C&D 17 days ago, with the reopposing Velasco narrowly ahead in second. Thereabouts with a repeat.

Form: 63336-3

Get Phar³⁰⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Bruce Lynn| T: D Brooke| OR: 85

20/1

Placed 4 times in handicap hurdles for Eoin Griffin. Better signs for current yard when third at Southwell and Perth last summer but he has a 10-month absence to overcome here. Watching brief the percentage call.

Form: 900F/33-

Jims Apple^p1,t⁶⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Edward Austin| T: J Ewart| OR: 85

80/1

Poor form in bumpers/over hurdles but handicaps provide her with a more realistic chance. Goes significantly up in trip with first-time cheekpieces replacing the hood she's worn since debut.

Form: 4/75875-

Tara Brooch¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Tom Midgley| T: M Walford| OR: 79

5/2

Made a sound start to her handicap career when fourth of 16 over C&D 17 days ago, with reopposing pair Velasco and Something Golden around 2 lengths ahead in third/fourth. Lightly-raced profile provides hope that she can build on that.

Form: 947-4

Dr Shirocco¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: P W Wadge| T: Miss S E Forster| OR: 78

9/1

Remains a maiden after 24 runs but finished runner-up 3 times over fences over the winter and he was a creditable third over hurdles at Kelso (21f) 13 days ago. Likely to be in the shake-up again.

Form: 52246-3

Imperial Lord^t1⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Toby Wynne| T: J Coulson| OR: 75

14/1

Fair Irish bumper winner but has been soundly beaten in 6 starts over hurdles for this yard, including handicaps last twice. A first-time tongue to needs to make a big difference.

Form: 0P/799P-

The Longest Day^p,t²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Liam Harrison| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 75

17/2

Poor maiden. Better effort since returning from a 15-month absence when second of 9 over 3m at Perth 27 days ago. Ought to be competitive from an unchanged mark.

Form: 0453/72-

Elusive Red^p⁴⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: Lorcan Murtagh| T: F P Murtagh| OR: 72

33/1

No show in 3 starts since returning from a lengthy absence. Likely booked for another struggle.

Form: 52F/0P7-

Buto^t,v⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Joshua Thompson⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 71

10/1

Modest form at best over hurdles in Ireland for John McConnell and hasn't offered much promise in a handful of starts for this yard.

Form: 660894-

Forecasts

Tara Brooch (5/2), Something Golden (4/1), Velasco (11/2), The Longest Day (17/2), Dr Shirocco (9/1), Mr Hailstone (9/1), Buto (10/1), Imperial Lord (14/1), Get Phar (20/1), Elusive Red (33/1), Jims Apple (80/1)

Perhaps this can be the day DR SHIROCCO finally gets his head in front. Velasco, Something Golden and Tara Brooch are very closely matched on recent C&D form and may give Sandy Forster's 8-y-o most to think about.