Saturday afternoon brings us a well-supported meeting at the ever-popular Hexham Racecourse, with seven races across the card; four over hurdles and three over fences.
Read on for a preview of and tips for the Hexham card, courtesy of Sporting Life.
A two-mile novices’ hurdle begins proceedings (3.20).
Of the six runners, Rebecca Menzies’ Colinski is the only one making his National Hunt debut, having been a low-level handicap winner on the Flat, and looks best watched for now.
Olly Murphy travels dual runner-up Tap Tap Shamie a long way from home in Warwickshire here, and he looks a likely candidate.
Palavar is entitled to improve on his first-ever try over hurdles last month, but the Murphy representative is hard to look past.
Next is a two-mile handicap chase (3.55).
It’s good to see a decent-sized field of 12 runners here, of which the top weight is Zero Tolerance, who is a consistent type and might have a fair chance here on a new low mark.
His proven stamina aids his chances up the Hexham hill also.
We Got Your Back won over course and distance when on today’s mark in October, and he may make some appeal if fancied in the markets to regain his better form.
Natural Ability could get involved too but has proven to be an unreliable sort.
A three-mile handicap chase follows (4.30).
Sussex-based trainer Andy Irvine’s Gold Clermont was a winner last time at Fontwell and should have little to prevent him from another good showing here.
Eaton Anne (something of a misnomer for the gelding) has recently had wind surgery and wears first-time cheekpieces, both of which could help him, while Betterforeveryone is back on his latest winning mark and has had a break since his last run in February.
Jet Legs is now on what could be a winnable mark, and his sole run here last year was a successful one.
Race four is a maiden hunters’ chase, also run over three miles (5.05).
Thropton-based James Walton’s runner, Eastern Storm, is certainly the one to beat on recent form, with four consecutive victories to his name between November and March.
Most recently, he beat the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Summerville Boy at Tranwell and should have nowhere to hide here.
The similarly qualified Line Em Up will be his main competition, travelling up from Cambridgeshire.
Unseating two starts ago but a reliable favourite usually, he might be able to get the better of the local horse.
A class three handicap hurdle follows, run over two and a half miles (5.42).
Mike Sowersby will be hoping for a Hexham hat-trick here with Gardener, who has won over course and distance on both of his latest starts.
Up in class here and, therefore, down in the handicap, he remains competitive despite a higher mark now.
This will be harder, but he could be in line for a place.
Sunset Hill should be on a winnable mark but is nowhere near the winning form of her novice hurdling season.
Recent wind surgery could help Ann Hamilton’s course and distance winner Dare To Shout, whose mark looks attractive if he can improve for the procedure.
The penultimate race is the first division of a two-mile handicap hurdle (6.15).
Scots Poet was a winner last time at Sedgefield and has risen four pounds in the weights as a result, while King Sacre looks marginally more competitive, down a pound after finishing the runner-up last time.
Iain Jardine’s course and distance winner Gemini Man is fit from a couple of runs on the all-weather at Wolverhampton and should be the one to beat here.
In division two, our final race (6.47), Snapaudaciaheros and Breadalbane Lass lead the charge on form, having both won their latest races.
The Best Way, trained by the bang in-form Nicky Richards, also won his most recent start, but that was well over a year ago in February 2025.
If fit and ready here after a lengthy spell on the sidelines, he could be a big danger.
Mornington Beach may also be helped by having had recent wind surgery and is an unknown in handicap company.
Hexham selections - Saturday:
- 3.20 - Tap Tap Shamie
- 3.55 - Zero Tolerance
- 4.30 - Jet Legs
- 5.05 - Line Em Up
- 5.42 - Dare To Shout
- 6.15 - Gemini Man
- 6.47 - The Best Way e/w
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