16:20 Hexham
Sunday 25 June 2017
All13:5014:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:50
Bet toteWin Handicap Chase
- 5YO plus | Class 5 | 3m 41y | Good (Watered) | 14 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 16:23 | Winning time: 6m 26.21s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
C&D winner in May 2015 (3m good), but off the track for 21 months after that race and hasn't returned at anything like that level in two starts since. Pulled up on similar ground at Newcastle in April, so whilst it's feasible that he'll be stronger in terms of fitness now, he still comes with risks attached.
Five time point-to-point winner, and runner up in two prestigious northern hunters chases in the spring (Buccleuch Cup and The Heart of All England). Not so effective at Cartmel latest and now switches back to handicaps.
Not beaten too far by Hatton's Hill over C&D on chasing bow last month. However, never competitive back over hurdles at Perth thereafter, but remains unexposed over fences and is feasibly treated, so couldn't totally be dismissed.
Won over fences from a 3lb higher mark at Perth in September 2016 (3m good), and his trainer has been known to saddle winners at this track previously. Not in the greatest shape of late, but cut some slack by the handicapper.
Has always looked a hard ride over hurdles often hitting flat spots and then finding for pressure but does look awkward overall and often needs reminders. Soon behind on his chasing debut at Kelso last month, and ultimately pulled up, so much improvement is required.
Regular winner in Point-to-Points (6 from 16) and has some reasonable form under rules at this track. Runner up in the 2016 Heart of All England to Ardea, he went one better when taking this contest in 2016. Largely below par since, but 2lb lower; rated 95.
Not won since 2014, and generally not a horse to be relied upon. However, his neck runner up effort behind Smuggler's Stash at Carlisle in April (3m2f good to soft) gives him a chance.
Fairly infrequent winner, who did notch a C&D success in May 2016 (good). In decent enough shape this spring and built upon a couple of placed efforts to score by 8L from Inchholm over 3m2f at Kelso early last month. Not as sharp back here latest and likes to get his own way out in front.
Successful off a 3lb lower mark over hurdles in a handicap event at Catterick (good to soft) over an extended 3m1f in January. However, well held since and others are preferred today as he heads over fences for just the third time in his career.
Ex Irish (Noel Meade and Stuart Crawford), but pulled up twice for this trainer in June 2016, and returned from a year off the track last weekend when always towards the rear in a race won by Da Baba Elephant.
Three from four in Point-to-Points, but a ten race maiden under rules. Never really competitive in a couple of recent starts over C&D, so a surprise if he's able to better those efforts despite a small drop in the weights.
Difficult to explain what brought about the transformation when making all to score by 6L over 2m4f here last week. Turned out under a penalty, and a guessing game as to whether he can reproduce that showing, with a slight concern about the starting position of this race (refused to race over C&D on penultimate start).
Has been competing in Point-to-Points during the spring, and was a 5L runner up to Garde Ville over 3m5f at Heslaker in late April. Handles decent ground and requires respect, but a slight suspicion that this trip is a fraction too short.
Her sole career success came in a 2m handicap hurdle at this track back in November 2015, but she has appeared to gradually regress over hurdles. Not immediately bouyed by the switch to chasing, but has shaped as if she needs a trip, and rated just 70, could do better if the first time cheek-pieces help.
Forecasts
Colorado Kid (7/2), Damiens Dilemma (5/1), Johnny Go (7/1), Tommy O'dwyer (8/1), Heart O Annandale (10/1), Bafana Choice (12/1), Miss Joeking (14/1), Notonebuttwo (14/1), Scarlet Fire (14/1), Mo Rouge (16/1), Lowcarr Motion (20/1), Mollies Gent (25/1), Touch Of Steel (28/1), Blue Cannon (100/1)
A typical Hexham big-field low grade 3m handicap chase in which reliability isn't generally a pre-requisite to competition. The fact that Notonebuttwo was able to win a similar contest over 2m4f last weekend pretty much sums up one's chances of nailing the winner. He refused to race over this trip previously and the suspicion that the starting position (near to the stables) had something to do with that is a concern. The likes of Johnny Go, Mo Rouge and Heart of Annandale are all worthy of consideration, but a chance is taken with the out of form DAMIEN'S DILEMMA. He handles this track well enough, and at decent odds is taken to follow up his 2016 victory.
- Damiens Dilemma
- Johnny Go
- Colorado Kid
Prize Money
1st: £3,249.002nd: £954.003rd: £477.004th: £238.00
MOST READ RACING
Follow & Track
Your favourite horses, jockeys and trainers with My StableLog in
Discover Sporting Life Plus benefits
