Youngs RPS 'Leaders In The Field' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 5m 11.4s

Ryedale Racer¹⁹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: J M Jefferson| OR: 119| CD

5/4

Well suited by this track with a career profile in bumpers and hurdles here reading; 2,1,2,3,1,4. However, he ended the season higher in the weights and couldn't compete with an in-form Modulus over C&D in late March (heavy). Seasonal return.

Form: 115344-

Little Bruce¹⁸⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: A Nicol| T: P A Kirby| OR: 116| D

9/2

Little Bruce became Big Bruce from Christmas onward last season rattling off a trio of victories in his last four starts, and rising 21lb in the weights. Ground fine and stamina proven, so a contender if back from a summer break in the same shape.

Form: 481131-

Bitview Colin^b,t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Danny Mullins| T: J P Ryan| OR: 115

14/1

Irish raider who doesn't win all that often, and has yet to score at beyond much more than 2m. Returned from a spell over fences when down the field behind Jamie Sommers at Kilbeggan (2m3½f) latest and needs to show much more.

Form: 943388

Beyondtemptation^h,t²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Ross Chapman⁽⁵⁾| T: J C Haynes| OR: 113| CD

10/1

A massively genuine mare who is versatile in terms of trip and absolutely adores Hexham. However, the handicapper has had her in his grasp since winning over C&D from this mark in May, and maybe she's just not in the same form at present.

Form: 1F8085

Ebony Rose^h,t²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: James Corbett⁽⁵⁾| T: S Corbett| OR: 112| D

8/1

Thriving over hurdles, and maintained her unbeaten Perth record when keeping on well to down Native Optimist over 3m (good to soft) last month. Up 7lb, and returns to her local track seeking to improve further back down in trip.

Form: 56-2131

Skipthescales¹⁷⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Thomas Dowson⁽⁵⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 106

4/1

His hurdles experience has all come across in Cumbria at Carlisle where he has bumped into a couple of useful rivals in novice events. Switches to handicaps for the first time on softer ground, and whilst unexposed,he might not prove strong enough.

Form: 3523-

Forecasts

Ryedale Racer (5/4), Skipthescales (4/1), Little Bruce (9/2), Ebony Rose (8/1), Beyondtemptation (10/1), Bitview Colin (14/1)

A compact field, but a competitive contest which features some seemingly fast improving performers. Ebony Rose arrives with race fitness assured, and she maintained an unbeaten record at Perth when scoring over 3m there last month. She is much respected back in trip at her most local track. Ryedale Racer is no stranger to this place, but the suspicion was that he ended last season high in the weights and requires a career best on his return to action. Beyondtemptation is never readily dismissed at her beloved Hexham and is back on her last winning mark, but the clear vote goes to the Phil Kirby trained LITTLE BRUCE. Bruce stood tall from Christmas onward last season, and a new mark of 116 shouldn't prove beyond him if back from his summer break in the same shape.