Racing is back at Hexham on Wednesday afternoon with a six-race meeting, made up of two hurdle races, three steeplechases - including the Long Distance Handicap Chase - and a bumper to conclude the card.
Read on for a preview of and tips for the Hexham card, courtesy of Betway.
We begin with a handicap hurdle run over two and a half miles (12.46). Palm Beach, Wee Alki and Buzz Iceclear all won their most recent starts and all step down in trip here, which may not play to their strengths. Lisa Harrison’s Solway Primrose is at the bottom of the handicap but has performed well at this mark previously, so could run a good race, but Stuart Coltherd’s Grand Voyage looks to have the best chance, given his preferred soft ground and a handy seven pounds from rider Joshua Thompson.
Next is a two-mile novices’ hurdle (1.16). Of the seven runners, Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore’s Like Minded is the only total newcomer, having never raced in any capacity before, while Rebecca Menzies’ Nosy Neighbour and Daragh Bourke’s Wherearethejudges are point-to-point graduates. Like Minded’s stablemate Hourman was narrowly beaten in a tight-finishing bumper at this track in October, but the choice of stable jockey Derek Fox is the JP McManus-owned gelding, so he looks the one to side with.
A beginners’ chase follows, run over three miles (1.51). Paul Nicholls sends a rare runner to Hexham here; Henri The Second, who is the top-rated of the five runners having won a Pertemps Hurdle Qualifier at Sandown last year. He has had wind surgery over the summer and makes his reappearance here, and could be the one to beat, but must take a step forward from an underwhelming attempt over fences in 2023. King Of Answers might be worth considering, having not been beaten far when running here last month, but his best work has come on slightly better ground.
The marathon four-mile Long Distance Handicap Chase is next (2.26). There are six runners in the mix, with the best chances looking to be Fairlawn Flyer, who is trained by Mickey Bowen, and Betterforeveryone, who is trained by Alan King. Both horses are sent a long way from home to run here, and it might be that Fairlawn Flyer has the better mark, having come down one pound since a decent reappearance in the Durham National in October. He is given five pounds by rider Shane Fenelon, which aids his case.
Second to last is another handicap chase, this time over two and a half miles (3.01). There is a well-populated field here of 12 runners, with Largy Train, King Of Cong and Heeztheboy all having placed on their most recent starts. The Catch Bissett-trained Lewa House might have a decent chance here, particularly if the ground stays suitably soft. The gelding made a decent reappearance at Ayr earlier this month and is still at a mark which could be winnable from on his best form.
We finish with a bumper (3.31). The newcomers are Jedd O’Keeffe’s Hurlyburly and Rebecca Menzies’ Forever Louie, while the best of the previously raced horses ought to be Dan Skelton’s Trigg, who won a 10-runner affair at Worcester in September. That said, David Pipe’s No Walkover was beaten just a neck in a point-to-point by a horse who went on to sell for £400,000, so he could prove to be a talented individual for a yard which is going well.
Hexham selections - Wednesday:
12.46 - Grand Voyage
1.16 - Like Minded
1.51 - Henri The Second
2.26 - Fairlawn Flyer
3.01 - Lewa House
3.31 - No Walkover
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