Racing
Hexham Place 6 preview | 23rd May
17.50 – Hexham Racecourse Supporting Northumberland County Show Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle – 2m7f
With Dr Richard Newland’s impressive 28% strike-rate at this course taken into account, his Chepstow handicap debut winner MR HAILSTONE could be set to follow-up in the opener now tackling this longer distance. He should be well-suited to the extra emphasis on stamina and remains less exposed than the majority of these. Of the others, SOMETHING GOLDEN ran well over C&D here last-time-out when third of 16 and should go well with a repeat showing from only a 2Ib higher mark.
Selections: MR HAILSTONE, SOMETHING GOLDEN
18.20 – Welcome To Port Of Blyth Novices’ Hurdle – 2m4f
Rebecca Menzies has enjoyed a couple of winners on the flat recently and she could be set to add to that tally in this race with two lively candidates. HARPER VALLEY has improved with each of his three starts and ran well in a pretty strong race for the grade here two starts ago, faring best of those who were off the pace. This is easier, so he has valid claims. His stablemate IMPERIAL DATA has winning form in Irish points and while his future certainly lies over fences, he could be ready to pose a threat on rules debut.
Selections: HARPER VALLEY, IMPERIAL DATA
18.50 – Joseph’s Amazing Camels At Northumberland County Show. Novices’ Handicap Chase – 2m4f
DOYENS DE ANTE has improved out of all recognition since going chasing, winning his last couple of starts. A 7Ib rise for winning by only a length last time seems harsh but he did the job a bit easier then the winning margin suggested and the hat-trick could be on the cards. JIMMY RABBITTE ran his best race for a while when second at Kelso two weeks ago and was second at this course a few years ago off a 15Ib higher mark, his last chase start at the venue. He is handicapped to strike.
Selections: DOYENS DE ANTE, JIMMY RABBITTE
19.20 – Port Of Blyth Handicap Hurdle – 2m4f
VOIX DU REVE was a classy horse in his prime and capitalised on his reduced mark when winning with a lot to spare at Ayr last month over this distance. He isn’t guaranteed to back that up, as he isn’t the most consistent, but the 11-year-old must have a serious chance, in which Dylan Johnston can claim his seven pounds this time. MOONLIGHT GLORY has been extremely consistent and was winning for the second time this year 10 days ago. In theory, she would be unbeaten in two starts over C&D after she went close here two starts ago but made amends last time and has sound credentials.
Selections: VOIX DU REVE, MOONLIGHT GLORY
19.50 – Lynn Siddall Memorial Handicap Chase – 3m
CAPTAIN TOMMY could hardly have won any easier at Bangor over the weekend, where he cruised to a 13-length romp. His success has earned him a penalty but he will surely be hard to stop if he repeats that performance in this much weaker race. GIBBERWELL returned to form when winning over C&D last month and has to be recognised as a main threat from a 6lb higher mark. The pair mentioned are the only last-time-out winners in the field.
Selections: CAPTAIN TOMMY, GIBBERWELL
20.20 – North East Grains Handicap Chase – 1m7f
FIRST REVOLUTION is more of a Sedgefield specialist but he did run well to finish second here last time over C&D despite proving no match for the runaway winner Fringill Dike and is a pound lower for this contest. He might be able to go one better if he is able to back that up. LAKE TAKAPUNA is almost a teenager but is still competing to a good level for his age and went close at Ayr when last spotted. He is a pound lower for this race and this race isn’t that strong, so James Ewart’s charge has to be considered whilst continuing to run to a good level of form.
Selections: FIRST REVOLUTION, LAKE TAKAPUNA
