National Hunt racing has returned to Hexham Racecourse today with eight well-populated contests on the card; four over hurdles, three over fences and one bumper.
The going is officially ‘Good’.
Bound to be a popular occasion, read on for a preview of and tips for the Hexham card, brought to you by Sporting Life.
We begin with a two-mile novices’ hurdle (2pm).
The majority of the 12 runners are fairly well exposed now, except for Chris Grant’s Pimmsoclock, who has had just one winning start previously in France, and Sam England’s Prince Phil, who has completed a race once before.
Alan King’s Blues Singer travels a long way from Wiltshire to run here, having won last time out at Huntingdon, but James Owen’s Red Oak has a higher current rating.
Imperfectlyperfect is a course and distance winner who likes good ground and comes back from a break today, but Blues Singer also prefers this surface and is ultimately the pick.
A two-mile handicap chase follows (2.30pm).
Nicky Richards is having a phenomenal time of things this month; each of his six runners so far in April have been winners, therefore his Young Getaway must be considered.
He returns for the new summer jumping season here, having run well for a close second here last term.
He’ll need to be fit and ready, though, to beat the already racing Heads Or Harps and That One, who beat him here last time.
Race three is a mares’ handicap hurdle run over two miles (3pm).
Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore’s She’s Notjoeking is a fairly consistent sort who should be competitive once again, but the Michael and David Easterby-trained Rose’s Dart could represent some good each-way value here.
She goes well on good ground, going which could help her run sharply enough for this shorter trip.
A three-mile handicap chase is next (3.30pm).
Nicky Richards’ Jamesieconn has completed a hat-trick lately, but has risen fairly sharply in the weights now and might find this harder.
Streamsforth Lad is on a more attractive mark and is happy on this ground.
Trainer Gary Hanmer had a winner recently at Market Rasen and this horse ran well last time out at Bangor.
The first division of a two and a half mile handicap hurdle follows (4pm).
Local Capheaton-based trainer Ann Hamilton runs Party In The Park, who has come down three pounds in the weights since his latest start at Newcastle, steps up in trip and down in class.
This looks more within reach.
Course and distance winner Divilabother looks competitive too on his new mark and could be in line for a place.
In division two (4.30pm), Mike Sowersby’s Gardener was a course and distance winner last time at a generous price of 9/1, and is understandably much shorter in the market today.
His new mark looks somewhat unlikely, though, and Our Laura B is tempting.
This mare ran well behind Gardener last time at Hexham, beaten just over four lengths, and she could get ahead of him this time.
Second to last is an open hunters’ chase run over three miles (5pm).
Whatdeawant won a recent point-to-point, while Brandy McQueen won this variety of race in March at Catterick and looks competitive once again.
Nine-year-old Nassalam is an interesting new addition to the hunters chase scene, though.
An impressive winner of the Welsh National in 2023 on very heavy ground, he has pulled up on each of his latest five starts in premier handicaps, but has moved to Tom Ellis’ yard lately and will find this much easier.
He still has something to prove, though, and Settle Down Jill looks more reliable on this ground.
Finally, we conclude with a bumper (5.35pm).
Captain Barbossa and Western Games are the two unraced newcomers, while Blue Skies Ahead is a point-to-point winner.
Ar Ais Ais, and Moorhead and Gaelic Heather all placed second in that sphere and make their Rules debuts today.
The form of Ar Ais Ais’s point-to-point is working out well, though, and is hard to argue with.
Hexham selections - Monday:
- 2pm - Blues Singer
- 2.30pm - That One
- 3pm - Rose’s Dart e/w
- 3.30pm - Streamsforth Lad
- 4pm - Party In The Park
- 4.30pm - Our Laura B
- 5pm - Settle Down Jill
- 5.35pm - Ar Ais Ais
Share