Today’s seven-race card at Hexham Racecourse will be a typically competitive affair, but the feature race of the afternoon is the four-mile Hexham Marathon Handicap Chase, which will provide punters and spectators with a good warm-up for next month’s eagerly anticipated Grand National.
Read on for a preview of and tips for the Hexham card, brought to you by the experts at GrandNational.org.uk.
Our first race is a two-and-a-half-mile maiden hurdle (2.11).
The majority of the 13 runners are fairly well exposed at this point and hard to fancy, with the exception of Adam Nichol’s Maiori and Ruth Jefferson’s Queens Secret, both of whom are recent point-to-point graduates with wins to their names in that sphere.
Maiori was good on debut over two miles but will likely benefit from the step up in trip here and should be the one to beat for his in-form trainer.
Next is a three-mile novices’ handicap chase (2.41).
Scottish King and Didntgotwenty are the only two with previous wins in their form, the latter looking the most likely to pick up another success here.
James Walton’s West Lawn, though, has hit a patch of good form and could be in with a chance, looking particularly interesting if she jumps off at an each-way price.
Race three is a two-mile handicap hurdle (3.11).
Jedd O’Keeffe’s He’s Bresilian has taken his time but has come around into some good form this term, winning two of his latest three starts.
With good course form, he should be competitive once again.
Smart Decision could be a danger, though, given Thomas Easterby’s valuable seven pounds.
The feature of the afternoon follows: the four-mile Hexham Marathon Handicap Chase (3.41).
There are 11 runners to pick from here, with the market favouring Christian Williams’ far-travelling Planned Paradise, who won the North Wales National in February and could repeat the form here.
The JP McManus-owned Wal Buck’s, though, is a useful sort who looks competitive and can handle the undulations and soft ground.
Shighness, however, looks to be on a winnable mark now and could win this at a generous price.
Our fifth race is a two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle (4.11).
Mike Sowersby’s Gardener is on a new low mark and could be able to get slightly further to the front this time after two recent thirds, while Do Ye Wanna could have his winning opportunity here with five-pound claimer Edward Austin taking the ride.
Second to last is a two-and-a-half-mile handicap chase (4.41).
Big John Wayne is topweight and looks competitive in this company, while Casual Observer is the main challenger for Harry Derham, who sends his horse a long way from him near Newbury to run at Hexham.
Finally, we conclude with a mares’ open bumper (5.13).
Two of the eight runners have not been raced before; Abbotrule and and Irish raider Bredas Pearl.
Myfriendcooper made a good bumper debut and should be a player, while Emiko won his point-to-point well in November and looks interesting for Wiltshire-based Alan King.
Hexham selections - Wednesday:
- 2.11 - Maiori
- 2.41 - West Lawn e/w
- 3.11 - He’s Bresilian
- 3.41 - Shighness
- 4.11 - Gardener, Do Ye Wanna e/w
- 4.41 - Casual Observer
- 5.13 - Myfriendcooper
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