12:55 Hexham
Wednesday 22 November 2017
All12:2512:5513:3014:0014:3515:1015:40
Visit Hexham Racecourse Website Novices' Handicap Chase
- 4YO plus  |  Class 4  |  1m 7f 133y  |  Heavy ( )  |  7 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 12:58Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 4m 35.25s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Proved a useful novice hurdler despite a light campaign in 2016/17. Bred for chasing, but was getting a little 'tapped for toe' when falling at the fourth last on his fencing debut at Carlisle recently. Conditions ideal granted a safe round.
Cost €55,000 as a three-year-old, and whilst rather non-descript in four starts over hurdles for Dan Skelton, it's no surprise that he switches to fences on his debut for a new yard. Well related. Wears a first-time hood.
Withdrawn at Ayr last week after proving very mulish at the start. That was disappointing given his fair previous fencing effort at the same track (3L third to Vengeur De Guye). Tricky, so one to watch closely down at the start.
Ballyarthur Point-to-Point winner (April 2015) who made a reasonable start for new connections (€32,000) in late 2015. Not really made his mark over hurdles since, but is race-fit with chasing likely to prove his future vocation.
Point-to-point winner who progressed into Hunter Chases during the spring months. His previous rules form is poor (bumper and a novice hurdle), but whilst fencing is his forte, he's unlikely to be anywhere near good enough in this company.
Moderate hurdler who was never involved on his chasing debut at Catterick in March (2m soft); beaten 12¼L (fourth) by Sky Full Of Stars. Much more required on seasonal reappearance.
A 19 race maiden who made the frame over 2m4f here in May, and again when 11½L third to Oak Vintage at Kelso earlier this month (2m1f good). However, holds little realistic chance in this contest from so far out of the weights.
Forecasts
Just Minded (13/8), Celtic Flames (5/2), Ninepointsixthree (5/1), Charlie Snow Angel (7/1), Chateau Chinon (12/1), Paddling (16/1), Mr Witmore (28/1)
Realistically only the top four runners can be considered. Both Chateau Chinon and Celtic Flames are likely to leave their previous form behind now switched to fences. The former debuts for a new trainer, whilst the latter is race-fit, and has always looked a future chaser rather than a hurdler. Ninepointsixthree has been brought along steadily by Sam England, and clearly has ability, but a whole host of difficulties at the start to go with it, so a clear preference is for JUST MINDED. Despite falling on his recent Carlisle fences debut, he's expected to handle these testing conditions best of all, and with his hurdles form clearly the strongest on offer, and stamina a likely strength (rather than speed), it'll be no surprise to see this six-year-old racing to the fore early under Danny Cook.
- Just Minded
- Celtic Flames
- Ninepointsixthree
Prize Money
1st: £3,769.002nd: £1,107.003rd: £553.004th: £277.00
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