18:35 Hexham

Saturday 5 May 2018

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

Solar Signs Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 18:37 | Winning time: 4m 10.7s

Our Kylie¹³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Miss Becky Smith⁽⁵⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 124| D

25/1

A mare who has been a winning machine for her Malton handler, notching a further two successes at Sedgefield (2m1f) in the early weeks of the 2017/18 season. Off since prior to Christmas, but returns on suitable ground.

Form: 011548-

Or De Vassy⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Bridget Andrews⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 124

9/2

Progressed over hurdles last season, and is versatile in terms of trip (2m-2m4f). Won with something in hand in novice company at Market Rasen (2m+) latest, so should have plenty to contribute in an admittedly stronger race.

Form: 2/31021-

Captain Brown²²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-11| J: W T Kennedy| T: James Moffatt| OR: 123| D

40/1

Below par at Kelso in September, and absent from the track since. Goes well at Cartmel (two-time 2m1f winner), so with the Lakes venue under orders in the weeks ahead, he should strengthen further for this reappearance run.

Form: 7F/2275-

Randy Pike^t¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr William Easterby⁽⁵⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 123| C

4/1

Thriving at present, winning with any amount in hand over 2m4f (soft) here recently. Given a 9lb rise for that victory, but could be called the winner miles from home and the drop in trip/quicker ground shouldn't hinder his chances.

Form: 16P131-

Card Game²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Mr Aiden Blakemore⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 120

8/1

Runner up over 2m4f here in June 2017 (good), and races from a 3lb lower mark tonight. Hasn't seen much racing since that effort; outclassed at Kelso (2m) last month. Better chance in this race under a 10lb claimer if fully fit.

Form: 534/329-

Craggaknock^p¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: D R Fox| T: R C Guest| OR: 120| D

22/1

Led a varied racing career of late with AW runs at Chelmsford and a hurdles effort at Les Landes (beaten 4/6f). Needs to do better tonight in a competitive race by Hexham standards.

Form: 455254-

Craig Star^p⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 119

20/1

Not aided by a slipping saddle at Musselburgh latest, so best to strike a line through that form. 3lb above his last winning mark at Kelso in January (2m2f heavy). Handles quicker ground.

Form: U2216U-

Oliver's Gold¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Miss E Todd⁽⁷⁾| T: M Walford| OR: 115| D

8/1

Back over hurdles at Ayr recently (2m good), but could only finish sixth of 14 to Dino Velvet. Has shown fair Hexham form in the past, but wouldn't rate as an obvious winner tonight.

Form: 152376-

Something Brewing^p¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: Henry Brooke| T: I Jardine| OR: 113| CD

16/1

Beat Satis House by a neck when taking a C&D juvenile event (good) in August 2017. Shown ability on the Flat at Newcastle since then, and won a jumpers' bumper in fine style in early March. In deep enough here.

Form: 14P1-

Green Zone¹⁷⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Ross Chapman⁽³⁾| T: Miss L Harrison| OR: 109| D

33/1

Perth specialist who is falling back to a handy mark. Requires good/good to soft ground, but versatile over 2m-2m4f. Likely to need the race tonight on his first start since November.

Form: 1470P4-

Golden Town⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Craig Nichol| T: James Moffatt| OR: 107

10/1

Godolphin cast-off who remains a hurdles maiden (15 starts) despite some pleasing placed efforts in novice company. Travelled well at Perth latest (2m soft), but couldn't quite sustain his effort at the finish. Upped in grade.

Form: 333573-

Suggestion¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Thomas Dowson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 107| D

11/2

Successful from an 8lb lower mark at Wetherby in March 2017 (2m good to soft), and ran very well behind the ill-fated Skywards Reward at Carlisle latest (2m1f soft). Unexposed and open to further improvement.

Form: 631/092-

Pc Dixon⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁷⁾| T: V Thompson| OR: 97| CD

11/1

Solid enough in his grade; heavy ground C&D winner in March (novices). However, doesn't look anywhere near strong enough to trouble the market leaders in this grade.

Form: 212343-

Oishin^t²¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 95| D

25/1

His sole success came over 2m at Newcastle in December 2016 (soft), and in truth he lacks any real size to progress further. No ground worries, but off since early October, and out of his depth tonight.

Form: 4376/42-

Forecasts

Randy Pike (4/1), Or De Vassy (9/2), Suggestion (11/2), Card Game (8/1), Oliver's Gold (8/1), Golden Town (10/1), Pc Dixon (11/1), Something Brewing (16/1), Craig Star (20/1), Craggaknock (22/1), Oishin (25/1), Our Kylie (25/1), Green Zone (33/1), Captain Brown (40/1)

A really interesting 2m handicap hurdle, which rates as the highlight of the evening. Suggestion is an unexposed sort who is open to further improvement, but the handicapper has taken aim after his rock-solid Carlisle second to the sadly ill-fated Skywards Reward. Or De Vassy is largely untested at this level but on a steady upward curve so should be on the premises for Dan Skelton, but it's impossible to overlook the thriving RANDY PIKE. He could be called the winner headed down the far-side here at the previous fixture and despite the combination of a rise in the weights, drop in trip and quicker underfoot conditions, he rates as an ultra confident choice to follow up.