15:25 Hexham
Tuesday 25 April 2017
All13:5014:2514:5515:2516:0016:3017:05
Ramside Event Catering Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus  |  Class 3  |  2m 4f 28y  |  Good (Good to Soft in places)  |  13 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 15:25Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 4m 59.8s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Useful chaser (40% strike rate), but also twice a winner over hurdles, including over this trip at Bellewstown in June 2016. A three time winner over fences since then, and undeniably well treated from a lower hurdles mark. The forecast ground should be ideal, and likely the primary reason for his absence since winning at Ludlow in October 2016.
Claims on his hurdles form from 2015 for Jonjo O'Neill (successful over this trip at Uttoxeter in May, and over 2m6f at Cartmel in August), but out of form for a while now and has failed to complete in three starts in Point-to-Points during 2017.
Last successful from a 4lb higher mark at Kelso back in December 2015 (2m2f heavy), and despite initially being regularly placed from a mark of 130, has gradually lost his form since March 2016. Dangerously handicapped if back to his best with rider removing a further handy 7lbs.
Fewer miles on the clock than most, and in essence is still rather unexposed. A winner from an 8lb lower mark at Wetherby in November 2016 (3m), this ground should suit and capable if bouncing back from a fall at Catterick in February. Wears cheek-pieces for the first time today.
Both career successes have come at this track (2m maiden hurdle in November 2015, and a 2m4f novices handicap chase in October 2016). Off since November when unsuccessfully bidding to follow up that course chase success (at Musselburgh), he's probably best watched now back hurdling after a break.
Well backed when a head winner of a C&D maiden hurdle in October 2014 (reward for some consistent efforts), he finished 8L second to Roserrow at Musselburgh the following month. Returns from over two and a half years off the track, and can be expected to need the run on his handicap debut.
2m course novice hurdle winner in June 2013, and only able to win once since over fences at Punchestown in May 2014. Has shown a tendency to refuse to race in the past, but is fairly well treated over hurdles (compared to fences), but is clearly a risky proposition on the whole.
A three time course winner during a golden streak between February and April 2016, and versatile between 2m and 2m4f. However, the handicapper appears to have her measure nowadays, and she remains 3lb higher than her last winning mark at Newcastle in February.
Made all over this trip when springing a 28/1 surprise on his handicap debut at Newcastle in December 2016 (soft). Absent since, and fairly raised 7lb, he needs to prove that effort was no fluke, but he remains fairly unexposed, and is reasonably handicapped if returning in the same form at a track where front runners can flourish on decent ground.
C&D winner in March 2016 (heavy), but bounced back from a lean spell when staying on strongly from off the pace to take a 2m6f Kelso handicap hurdle by 1L a fortnight ago. 2lb higher, and a shorter trip to contend with, but expected to go well with his previous fourth placed effort behind Bescot Springs franked by Purple Harry.
In good shape during September and October 2016 winning over 2m at this track, and over 2m5f at Ayr. His form tailed off slightly thereafter (with a slight handicap rise), but he could be sharper for a reappearance at Carlisle earlier this month.
Class 3 handicap hurdle winner over C&D in June 2014, and despite being placed thereafter has registered a blank over timber with his only other success coming on the Flat at Ayr in August 2016 (1m7f Class 6). Dropping in the weights, but the handicapper appears to still have his measure which suggests he might not quite be the force of old.
Maiden, but twice placed over C&D during October and November 2016 (although well held). Off for six months until pulled up on reappearance at Kelso earlier this month. Dropped 4lb but others readily preferred.
Forecasts
Lough Salt (7/2), Bell Weir (4/1), Too Many Chiefs (6/1), Beyondtemptation (8/1), Loch Linnhe (8/1), Howwoulduno (17/2), Heist (10/1), Maxie T (16/1), Fred Le Macon (20/1), Ride The Range (25/1), Kalaharry (28/1), Quick Brew (33/1), Highpower (100/1)
An open contest in which only a few can be readily ruled out of contention. Too Many Chiefs looks certain to go close if reproducing the type of form he showed over a slightly longer trip at Kelso recently. His prospects will be much improved by a strongly run race, which would appear a given with the likes of Beyondtemptation and LOCH LINNHE in the race. However, assuming the ground is no worse than Good to Soft (currently described as faster), the Mark Walford trained Newcastle December winner could be capable of lasting out to follow up from a competitive enough revised mark of 107. Of the remainder, Heist looks primed to run a big race on ground which should suit despite the burden of top-weight.
- Loch Linnhe
- Heist
- Too Many Chiefs
Prize Money
1st: £7,148.002nd: £2,099.003rd: £1,049.004th: £525.00
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