17:10 Hexham

Saturday 14 October 2017

All14:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:1017:40

intu Eldon Square Heart Of The Toon Handicap Chase

Off time: 17:10 | Winning time: 4m 27.50s

Minella Suite²⁰³

Age: 6| Weight: 12-2| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 101| BF

3/1

Maiden ran a good race on his chasing bow at Catterick and was going well until unseating next time at Kelso. Heads into the new season well handicapped if he jumps well enough to take advantage.

Form: 66622U-

Achill Road Boy¹⁹²

Age: 8| Weight: 12-2| J: Sam Coltherd⁽⁵⁾| T: W Coltherd| OR: 101| BF| C

6/1

Won off higher mark over fences in the past so every chance he will win a race early this season but all of best form is over further. This could be more of a sharpener although this stiff 2m on soft ground will bring stamina to the fore.

Form: 164317-

John Williams^p¹⁶¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Rachel McDonald⁽⁷⁾| T: A M Thomson| OR: 95| BF

9/1

Second in this race a year ago on good ground but 8lb higher today and prefers better ground but ran well enough off similar marks in the spring.

Form: 21342-P

Carnaross¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Julia Brooke| OR: 90| D

20/1

Well beaten on return from layoff two starts ago at Sedgefield then took a tumble at Southwell 11 days ago. Nothing in recent evidence to recommend him.

Form: 123/6-5F

Roxyfet¹⁵¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Finian O'Toole⁽⁵⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 90| D

16/1

17lb below last winning mark and still only seven so no reason he should be in decline. Last three runs at the end of last season were very poor but much better through the winter on soft. Very dangerous off this mark.

Form: 23260-6

My Idea^p,t¹¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: Dale Irving⁽³⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 86| CD

9/1

Veteran still enjoys his racing as proven by C&D win in September. Higher up in the weights now and faces a few potentially well handicapper rivals here.

Form: 455134

Roman Numeral¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: R D Day⁽³⁾| T: D Thompson| OR: 82| D

8/1

C&D second off 2lb higher mark two starts ago gives him a chance. Less inspiring at Southwell since and couldn't call him consistent but no obvious reason he won't run well.

Form: 1P7426

Notonebuttwo^p⁷⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: K Yeoman⁽⁷⁾| T: Kenny Johnson| OR: 79| C

50/1

Made all here over 2m4f in June but beaten 20L plus in three subsequent races. Still substantially higher than course win and step back in trip looks a negative too.

Form: 4R1789

Oak Vintage¹⁸⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Ross Chapman⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs A Hamilton| OR: 78

9/2

Unplaced in six career chase starts and beaten out of sight more often than not. Lots to answer in this sphere right now.

Form: U4P575-

Aregra^v¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: B S Hughes| T: P D Niven| OR: 77

12/1

Back to last winning mark but that came almost two years ago and ran poorly last time after unseating the time before. Needs to get back on track before he can be recommended.

Form: P4-72U8

Alchimix^p³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: Miss Becky Smith⁽⁷⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 72

15/2

Little to suggest this maiden will make it 28th time lucky going off recent outings and was tailed off here when last seen.

Form: FP-7554

Non-Runners

Cooper's Friend²⁴

Weight: 11-12| Age: 8

T: R M Smith J: C O'Farrell

Bandol²⁰

Weight: 11-6| Age: 9

T: S G West J: J Kington

Sultana Belle¹⁰¹

Weight: 10-11| Age: 9

T: R McNally J: Danny Mullins

Rhythm Of Sound⁵⁴

Weight: 10-2| Age: 7

T: Micky Hammond J: Alain Cawley

Forecasts

Minella Suite (3/1), Oak Vintage (9/2), Achill Road Boy (6/1), Alchimix (15/2), Roman Numeral (8/1), John Williams (9/1), My Idea (9/1), Cooper's Friend (10/1), Aregra (12/1), Rhythm Of Sound (12/1), Roxyfet (16/1), Sultana Belle (16/1), Carnaross (20/1), Bandol (25/1), Notonebuttwo (50/1)

Jumping cost MINELLA SUITE when last seen in March. He will likely have done plenty of schooling since however and is clearly on a mark where he can make his presence felt if indeed he jumps better. Another who looks well handicapped is Achill Road Boy and the stiff climb for home will be where his stamina can come to the fore. Roxyfet is a potentially very well handicapped horse too and mustn't be dismissed.