18:30 Hexham

Tuesday 22 May 2018

All18:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:3021:00

Northumberland Day Handicap Chase

Off time: 18:31 | Winning time: 4m 5.10s

Indian Voyage^t¹⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-13| J: Dale Irving⁽³⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 101| D

7/2

Falling in the weights with his stable back amongst the winners, but was outpaced over this trip (C&D) latest when finishing almost 17L fourth to Endless Credit. Furthermore, his most recent success came over 2m5f at Wetherby in October.

Form: 4P584-4

Sleep In First¹⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: J Ewart| OR: 100| CD

2/1

Veteran who is best suited by this minimum trip and returned to fences over C&D earlier in the month beaten 4½L by Endless Credit (Indian Voyage fourth). Obvious contender if able to lie up closer to the pace today.

Form: P4/259-2

Miss Conway²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 98| CD

9/2

Front running mare who thrived at this track last summer; a four-time C&D winner on fast ground. Easing back down the weights slowly, but most certainly merits serious consideration with conditions now turning in her favour.

Form: 1144F8-

Roman Numeral¹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: Henry Brooke| T: D Thompson| OR: 82| D

14/1

Lost his way over fences and has been campaigned over the smaller obstacles since a couple of falls in November. Well beaten in a C&D selling hurdle latest, so very difficult to be overly optimistic about his chances.

Form: F2P46-8

Rhythm Of Sound^t,v¹³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Alain Cawley| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 81| D

11/2

Disappointing on his latest start at Musselburgh in January, but absent since so it's possible that something was amiss. Recorded back-to-back chase victories prior to that tame effort (on varying ground conditions), but more to do on balance.

Form: 25F119-

Roll Of Thunder⁸⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Finian O'Toole⁽³⁾| T: J Walton| OR: 80| CD

33/1

His sole success in 21 starts over hurdles came at this track (2m good) in June 2015. Failed to see out his race after leading on both of his chasing starts at Sedgefield in late 2017.

Form: 66/PP36-

Warksburn Boy¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs S Walton| OR: 70

25/1

0 from 20 under rules, and pulled up on his first start since June 2017 over C&D ten days ago. Needs a total transformation in fortunes.

Form: 6P3/4P-P

Reverse The Charge^p⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: Ross Chapman⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Walton| OR: 68

10/1

28-race rules maiden who sneaked into the frame in a modest race at Sedgefield last week (2m good), and whilst that did at least demonstrate his well-being, he's predicted to struggle here.

Form: 49P3P-3

Duhallowcountry^b⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 10-0| J: Thomas Dowson⁽³⁾| T: V Thompson| OR: 66| D

66/1

Veteran who appreciates racing to the fore, but is out of sorts these days and was beaten when unseating his rider late on at Sedgefield last week (2m good).

Form: 566P7-U

Forecasts

Sleep In First (2/1), Indian Voyage (7/2), Miss Conway (9/2), Rhythm Of Sound (11/2), Reverse The Charge (10/1), Roman Numeral (14/1), Warksburn Boy (25/1), Roll Of Thunder (33/1), Duhallowcountry (66/1)

Not difficult to draw a thick line through the majority of these runners, with only the trio at the top end of the weights considered. Sleep In First posted a fair effort back over fences recently despite struggling early doors and could fare better if able to lie up with the early pace. However, competition for the lead will ensure a good gallop throughout with the likeable mare MISS CONWAY having her ideal conditions for the first time in ages. With the sun continuing to shine, she's taken to lead her rivals a merry dance from the front end and return to form from a slipping mark for her fifth C&D success.