15:55 Hexham
Saturday 17 June 2017
All14:1514:4515:2015:5516:3017:0517:4018:15
Marie Curie Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus  |  Class 3  |  2m 4f 28y  |  Good (Good to Soft in places)  |  10 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 15:55Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 4m 59.5s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
A solid performer on his day, and returned to hurdles to take full advantage of a good mark when doubling up at Ayr and Kelso earlier this year. Kept stronger company since from higher marks and struggled a fraction, but respected here despite top-weight and effective over both 2m and 2m4f.
Had a couple of recent outings on the Flat without much to enthuse over, but solid in three runs over hurdles as a novice during the depths of winter (two from three). Makes his handicap debut from a mark of 129, and would ideally want the ground no quicker than good to soft. Interesting to see how he fares in handicap company.
Won over fences at Leicester in December for previous trainer Dan Skelton, but not so effective back over hurdles more latterly. Moved on to shrewd connections for £10,000 in May and makes his stable debut from a falling mark.
Often well suited by Market Rasen, but a shade below par at that track last month when eighth of fifteen to Sandymount. Better judged on his Perth second to follow up winner Jack's Last Hope and enters calculations accordingly.
C&D winner and a one time talented bumper racer and novice hurdler. Lost his form since winning over fences (for this jockey) at Wetherby in October, and hard to know what to expect dropped back to last year's winning mark of 125.
All three career successes have come with some cut in the ground (good to soft or softer) so drying conditions are a slight concern. Yet to win beyond 2m2f, but not beaten too far over this trip at Market Rasen in April and likely to be seeking to make good late headway.
Two from six over hurdles, but those Wetherby successes came in novice events in late 2016 and has found life much tougher in handicaps. That said, he's faced some relatively difficult assignments, but overall is best watched on the evidence of a couple of recent spins at Warwick.
Miss Hexham, and already a two time winner here in 2017, so it was heart warming to see her rise from a heavy fall at this track earlier in the month. As tough as old boots, but climbing rapidly in the weights, and a career best is required to defy a mark of 120.
Not fulfilled the abundance of talent that he displayed after winning a Doncaster bumper in March 2014 (beat The Grey Taylor). Off the mark over hurdles at Musselburgh (3m) in January 2015, but seemingly beset by problems since then. Not raced since November (unseated rider at the second on chasing debut), so to all intents off the track since June 2015. On a fair mark.
At his best on a sound or fast surface and over 2m-2m4f. Last three wins have all been over fences at around 2m, but out of sorts for two years and no recent signs that he is about to halt the slide in the weights on just his second hurdles outing since July 2015.
Forecasts
Craggaknock (7/2), Card Game (9/2), Master Of Irony (5/1), Beyondtemptation (8/1), Sky Khan (8/1), Runswick Royal (17/2), Zarib (12/1), Lord Wishes (12/1), Surf And Turf (14/1), Aiaam Al Namoos (50/1)
A decent handicap hurdle which forms the centre-piece of the eight race Hexham card. Ann and Ian Hamilton enjoy saddling winners at one of their local tracks, and the top weighted RUNSWICK ROYAL is faced with an easier assignment than of late, so it's worth chancing that he can give weight and a beating to all of his rivals. A dual winner in 2017, he's admittedly most effective with cut, but tackles rivals here that have raced mainly in lower grade contests. Beyondtemptation is an adorable mare, but she'll struggle from a mark of 120, whilst Master Of Irony is yet to be tested in handicaps. Of the remainder Aiaam Al Namoos has ability and is well treated, but also has question marks to address (well-being), so it is perhaps Sky Khan that is the most viable alternative.
- Runswick Royal
- Sky Khan
- Card Game
Prize Money
1st: £5,848.002nd: £1,717.003rd: £859.004th: £429.00
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