13:50 Hexham

Tuesday 25 April 2017

All13:5014:2514:5515:2516:0016:3017:05

Welcome To Hexham 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 13:51 | Winning time: 4m 9.6s

Applaus^p1¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Henry Brooke| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 118

11/4

Found a Class 3 handicap at Newcastle a step too far when well held by Nuts Well earlier this month, but had been in good shape in heavy ground novice events prior to that run. Certain to be suited by whatever rain arrives, and a reproduction of his runners up effort behind Reivers Lad puts him bang in contention at this more suitable level. Wears first time cheek-pieces.

Form: 437124

Ceegem²²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell

14/1

Not fluent on either of his starts over hurdles so far, and a drop back to 2m doesn't seem an obvious move having raced over 2m2f at Kelso earlier this month. Needs to do more to be in the shake up, but improvement expected with time.

Form: 495

Charin' Cross⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Finian O'Toole⁽⁵⁾| T: Micky Hammond

100/1

Stablemate of Applaus who in truth has appeared to have little in the way of ability based upon his two starts in bumpers. Makes his hurdling debut at a realistic level, but some minor improvement is surely the primary objective at the moment.

Form: 938-

Getonsam^h1,t²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Dale Irving⁽⁵⁾| T: J C Haynes

150/1

Has refused to settle in three starts in bumpers to date with the tongue strap having little effect on his latest start over C&D. Makes his hurdles debut with the hood now added, and others much preferred.

Form: 6776-7

Hit And Run²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: James Cowley⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr

40/1

An early faller on his hurdles debut at Catterick in February, his confidence appeared shot to pieces when back in action at Market Rasen late last month. With a good trainer, and probably capable of better, but too many questions to answer for now.

Form: 7F63-

Killone^t¹²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Jamie Hamilton⁽³⁾| T: Mrs A C Hamilton| OR: 74

100/1

Shown very little for Stuart Coltherd since arriving on these shores in May 2015, and pulled up for that trainer at Sedgefield on Boxing Day. Makes his stable debut.

Form: P/F5PP2-

Notorious One⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: G N Fox⁽³⁾| T: L Lennon

6/1

Not disgraced when eighth of 25 in a 2m Fairyhouse maiden hurdle last week won by Tudor City. Makes the journey over the Irish Sea, and interesting to see what the market makes of his chances, but clear improvement required.

Form: 884-

Our Morris⁸¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Jonathon Bewley⁽⁵⁾| T: G Bewley| OR: 92

66/1

Achieved little of any note in four starts over hurdles, and looks the sort for handicap company rather than novice events. Absent since early February and tough too fancy.

Form: 6U8647-

Outlaw Josey Wales¹⁶²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: R M Smith| OR: 100

25/1

9L second to the Willie Mullins trained Townshend on hurdles debut at Perth in April 2016, but has regressed since that initial early promise. Was beaten when falling two out in the race won by Kelka here in November, and absent since bombing out (pulled up) at Musselburgh ten days later.

Form: 2/69FP0-

Petite Ganache⁷⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: A Nicol| T: N G Richards

16/1

By Presenting, so better ground should suit, but far from one of the stables leading lights based upon what we've seen so far. No promise in either of his two starts in bumpers, and well beaten (never travelling) on his hurdles debut at Market Rasen in February.

Form: 08P0-

Storm Forecast^h1²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: J M Jefferson| OR: 114

4/5

Sedgefield bumper winner (November 2015), and twice a runner up in C&D novice hurdles (the same race twelve months apart). Entitled to have needed the race behind Bruichladdich last month (idled from the last), and improvement is expected on less testing ground. Wears the first-time hood.

Form: 4142-2

Uluroo⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Craig Nichol| T: Miss P Robson

33/1

French bred €57,000 three-year-old by Centennial out of Kica. An eighth foal and a half-brother to four winners including staying chaser Kaki De La Pree. Appeared to need the race on his bumper debut at Newcastle in early March (behind a useful winner Niceandeasy), and connections waste little time by sending him over hurdles on just his second career start.

Form: 45-

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to board prices only - deduction 10p in the pound

Non-Runners

Sunset Marquis²²

Weight: 10-5| Age: 6

T: Mrs A C Hamilton J: Tony Kelly

Forecasts

Storm Forecast (4/5), Applaus (11/4), Notorious One (6/1), Sunset Marquis (6/1), Ceegem (14/1), Petite Ganache (16/1), Outlaw Josey Wales (25/1), Uluroo (33/1), Hit And Run (40/1), Our Morris (66/1), Killone (100/1), Charin' Cross (100/1), Getonsam (150/1)

This race would appear to rest between dual C&D runner up Storm Forecast, and the steadily progressive Micky Hammond trained APPLAUS. Whilst Storm Forecast can be expected to be stronger for his recent run, and is likely to be suited by a better surface, the winning (and placed) form of Applaus in Novice Hurdles is strong in the context of this race. He was set a tough task against a battle hardened handicapper (Nuts Well) last time, and this looks a good opportunity to record a second career hurdles success (wearing the first time cheek-pieces).