18:05 Hexham

Saturday 5 May 2018

All17:3518:0518:3519:0519:3520:0520:35

Hexham Bookmakers Novices' Chase

Off time: 18:05 | Winning time: 5m 14.50s

Buckled⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Rachel McDonald⁽⁷⁾| T: A M Thomson| OR: 115| D

7/2

Not raced over fences since a heavy fall at Musselburgh on New Years Day 2017, so you'd be taking a chance in supporting him. However, enjoyed a fine previous campaign over hurdles (two-time winner), and best on quick ground.

Form: 8/31216-

General Mahler^t¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: B Ellison| OR: 111| D

2/1

Beaten just a neck by Kimberlite Candy on chasing debut at Market Rasen on Boxing Day (2m5f+ handicap soft), and that form puts him bang in contention. Had a couple of hurdles spins since wind surgery.

Form: 5243F8-

Little Bruce^p,t⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Thomas Dowson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 112| D

7/2

Won with masses in hand in a Wetherby selling hurdle in March (2m5f heavy), so much so, connections probably did well to retain him. Embarks on a chasing career tonight, so we'll soon see how he takes to fencing.

Form: P33081-

Loch Linnhe^p²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 110

7/2

Ran well over hurdles behind a fair sort on his penultimate start at Market Rasen in March (2m7f), and was also a runner up at this track over hurdles in April 2017 (2m4f good). Chasing debut.

Form: 612/62P-

Pokora Du Lys^t⁷⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: C O'Farrell| T: R Menzies| OR: 105WS

16/1

Been with both Nicky Henderson (without a run) and Dan Skelton in the past. Well beaten when a final flight faller on stable debut at Carlisle in February (3m1f heavy). Goes chasing now after wind surgery.

Form: 48/837F-

Spinning Scooter^t¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Dale Irving⁽³⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 84

50/1

Shown very little in nine starts over hurdles (various trips), so most hopes pinned on the switch to fences; although entitled to strip fitter for a recent run at Sedgefield (hurdles).

Form: 68/46P4-

Trust Me I'm A Dr¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: K Yeoman⁽⁷⁾| T: V Thompson

150/1

A 15 race maiden in point-to-points, and hasn't set the world alight under rules either, so barring accidents about the only thing that can be taken on trust is that he'll not be winning.

Form: PPP4P6-

War Joey^t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Ross Chapman⁽³⁾| T: Mrs A Hamilton

25/1

0 from 8 over hurdles, but has suggested he could be the type to pick up a small race somewhere along the line. Half-brother to 2m4f chase winner Jack Steel, so the switch to fences could well suit.

Form: 5P7405-

Wolfslair^h1¹²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Nathan Moscrop⁽⁵⁾| T: D Thompson

50/1

Won a Down Royal handicap hurdle (2m6f, good) from a mark of 98 when with Gordon Elliott, but has been unable to reach that level of form since. Hard to recommend in the first time hood on chasing debut.

Form: 88P86U-

Forecasts

General Mahler (2/1), Loch Linnhe (7/2), Little Bruce (7/2), Buckled (7/2), Pokora Du Lys (16/1), War Joey (25/1), Spinning Scooter (50/1), Wolfslair (50/1), Trust Me I'm A Dr (150/1)

Quite a number of these horses are making their first ever start over fences, and need to step forward from what they've shown over hurdles. War Joey could be a horse to note for handicaps further down the line, whilst Pokora Du Lys is mildly interesting too watch at least after wind surgery. Buckled took a very heavy fall on his last start over fences in January 2017, so with connections seemingly keen to avoid the larger obstacles until now, he's one to be cautious about. Therefore, in a contest which rates as no bet material, small stakes are played on GENERAL MAHLER. His Boxing Day chasing debut at Market Rasen rates as the best form on offer.