16:00 Hexham
Tuesday 28 March 2017
All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:30
Super League Betting At 188Bet Handicap Chase
- 5YO plus  |  Class 5  |  3m 41y  |  Heavy (Soft in places)  |  8 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 16:00Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 7m 4.7s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Winner of this race on two previous occasions, firstly in 2014, and most recently last year when a ready 5L winner from Flaming Thistle. Goes well at this track during March, also winning at the previous meeting to this one (during Cheltenham) in March 2015. Gave notice her turn was nigh when beaten 1L by General Girling at Towcester twelve days ago.
C&D winner from a 1lb lower mark in December 2016 and needs a good test of stamina to be seen to maximum effect. Likely to be slightly sharper for this race following his never nearer third (to Hattons Hill) in the first time visor here earlier this month.
Seemingly revitalised for the switch back to hurdling, running out a ready winner at Ayr earlier this month (2m5½f), before going down narrowly under a 7lb penalty to Bescot Springs at this track (2m7½f) just under a fortnight ago. Reverts to chasing from a favourable mark (92) if able to transfer that sort of form.
Infrequent winner who finally made the most of a lower chase mark (than hurdles) to score by 3L from The Jugopolist at Southwell in late February (3m1½f novices handicap chase). Raised 7lb and still on a fair chase mark, but outside of novice company and pulled up on sole Hexham start (over hurdles).
Twice a runner up over hurdles at Ayr this calendar year, although beaten comprehensively on both occasions. Below par when pulled up behind Bescot Springs and The Bishop here earlier this month, and fell early (at the third) on her last start over fences in this race in 2016.
34 race maiden. Not at all helped by a first fence blunder here earlier this month, but very tough to fancy nevertheless, with by far and away the best of his four starts for this trainer being when a remote 19L runner up to the eased down William Money (Hattons Hill third) at Newcastle in February.
Relished the application of cheek-pieces (retained) when running down Kanturk Bank over C&D a fortnight ago (Smugglers Stash third). Ideally could do with fencing with a shade more fluency than on that occasion. 4lb rise seems fair, and looks a different horse to the one that finished behind Vincent Row at Newcastle on his penultimate start.
Formerly with Chris Grant, and has had his fair share of problems, so perhaps not the force of old. Well handicapped on his best form, but out of sorts since moving to this trainer.
Forecasts
Hattons Hill (11/4), Smuggler's Stash (7/2), Vincent Row (11/2), Gibbstown (13/2), Cleve Cottage (13/2), The Bishop (9/1), Spring Over (12/1), Notonebuttwo (22/1)
March doesn't only signal the Cheltenham Festival, it is also the month in which Gibbstown tends to thrive. She has won this very race twice in the past three years (2014 and 2016), and she also won at this track during the month of March in the year that she 'missed' (2015). She's likely to go very close to following up having served notice that her turn was nigh at Stratford recently, but slight preference is for recent C&D winner HATTONS HILL who seemed well suited by the application of cheek-pieces when staying on strongly to down Kanturk Bank on his most recent start, and would appear likely to get an equally strong test of stamina in this slightly stronger race with a perfectly fair 4lb rise.
- Hattons Hill
- Gibbstown
- The Bishop
Prize Money
1st: £3,249.002nd: £954.003rd: £477.004th: £238.00
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