18:35 Hexham
Saturday 6 May 2017
All17:3518:0518:3519:0519:3520:0520:35
Bobby Roberts Memorial Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus  |  Class 3  |  2m 48y  |  Good (Good to Soft in places, Watered)  |  8 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 18:35Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 4m 4.3s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
French import who won four hurdles and a chase at Auteuil at trips from 2m2f to 2m3½f, with the bulk of that winning form coming with cut. Keen, but travelled into contention before weakening from three out on his UK debut at Ayr in March (2m4f) when fourth to emphatic winner Desert Cry. Better expected with time.
Formerly with Stuart Crawford but has done well for this trainer over hurdles and comes into this race seeking a hat-trick after a pair of Musselburgh victories (maiden and a novices). This type of ground presumably the key and likely to be asked to race close to the pace over this shorter trip on handicap debut.
Four time Flat winner for Mark Johnston, and finished second here on hurdles debut in the autumn to Spirit of Kayf. Backed that run up by winning at Ayr the following month by 8L (maiden hurdle) and has remained competitive since from marks in the low 120's (twice a runner up in his last three starts).
Useful novice for John Quinn (C&D winner in 2014), but had a spell in the doldrums until seemingly revitalised in 2017. Has posted a string of solid efforts at Kempton, Sandown and Aintree (when 5L second to Chesterfield last month). Up 2lb but certain to go close.
Took a while to get over the exertions of his Sedgefield Boxing Day second to Dubai Angel, but has found more consistency and is a winner on two of his last three starts. Despite winning over further at Market Rasen in March, he showed his rivals a clean pair of heels in sprinting clear over 2m at Wetherby recently, and with similar ground conditions forecast, a 5lb rise might not be enough to halt a follow up.
Formerly with Alan King (won a Uttoxeter juvenile maiden hurdle for that trainer in October 2015), but picked up cheaply for £3,000 at Doncaster in August 2016. Well beaten on stable bow at Huntingdon in early April (pulled up), and no better in a spin on the Fibresand latest.
Hasn't lived up to his bumper promise since switched to hurdles and despite running a decent race at Market Rasen on his penultimate start, he pulled way too hard when disappointing back there latest. This looks a competitive event and others are preferred.
Very well suited by this track, and took a 2m4f handicap hurdle here for the second year in succession last month when beating Loch Linnhe by 4L. Raised 5lb, but this trip holds no fears to this trail-blazer as she demonstrated by taking this very race (from a 5lb lower mark) by 1¼L in 2016. As honest a horse as the day is long.
Forecasts
Master Of Finance (3/1), Dear Sire (3/1), Chieftain's Choice (9/2), Beyondtemptation (9/2), Atomix (6/1), Pot Committed (12/1), Rouge Et Sage (20/1), Duke Of Sonning (80/1)
A very competitive handicap in which the pace promises to be fierce. Beyondtemptation ought to really have a race named after her at this track, and she seeks to follow up in this race, as she did here last month when winning a 2m4f handicap by 4L. However, both Chieftain's Choice and DEAR SIRE also come into this contest in fine fettle, with the former a revitalised one time promising novice, and the latter showing his rivals a clean pair of heels at Wetherby recently. A 5lb rise might not be enough to stop Dear Sire following up, and his turn of foot can be deployed to maximum effect if settled nicely off a strong pace.
- Dear Sire
- Chieftain's Choice
- Beyondtemptation
Prize Money
1st: £5,523.002nd: £1,622.003rd: £811.004th: £405.00
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