14:50 Hexham

Saturday 13 October 2018

All13:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:10

interbet.com Online Casino Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:51 | Winning time: 4m 10.9s

Big Time Dancer⁴⁷

14/1

C&D winner (2m maiden hurdle); had wind surgery since a smooth travelling, but ultimately folding tamely 36L third to Mac Tottie at Cartmel (2m6f, soft) in August; drop in trip a major plus.

Form: 34-143

Calach¹¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: J Ewart| CD

3/1

Has had plenty of time between all of his races so far, and after showing obvious ability in bumpers, was a winner on hurdles debut over C&D in June beating Macardle by a neck; penalised accordingly.

Form: 4/2-1

Ex S'elance¹⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Alain Cawley| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 123

20/1

Bumper and hurdles winner in France for Guy Cherel, ploughing through soft ground in a Vichy claimer (2m1f+) in May; penalised for that success, but a potentially useful acquisition by Middleham handler Micky Hammond.

Form: 3P51-41

Simply The Betts¹⁵⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: G Sheehan| T: H Whittington| OR: 130| D

8/11

Always in the rear in the Supreme Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham (2m, heavy) in March (finished tenth of 19 to Summerville Boy), but made short work of his rivals winning impressively at Warwick in May (2m maiden); the standout form horse.

Form: 13420-1

Definite Wisdom³⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin

33/1

Bought for £35,000 in November 2017 (Cheltenham); after showing promise in Irish point-to-points for Aidan Fitzgerald; market a guide to his chance on rules debut in a competitive race.

Form: 52-

Dubh Des Champs⁴⁷

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

125/1

Sold cheaply out of the Harry Fry yard in July 2017 (£1,500); 100/1, behind and tailed-off when struggling from mid-race at Cartmel (2m6f, soft) in August.

Form: 0/4-P

Hero's Story⁷⁸²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: F P MurtaghWS

150/1

1-33 on the Flat, and hasn't raced since finishing second at Thirsk in August 2016 (for Jim Goldie); sold cheaply for £2,800 the following month, and has had wind surgery for a much belated hurdles debut.

Form:

Icefall^p¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: C R King| T: T D Easterby| OR: 113

12/1

60-rated on the Flat and is essentially appearing fairly exposed over hurdles; 2¾L runner-up to Globetrotter over 2m (maiden hurdle) here last month, but that's not strong enough form in the context of this race.

Form: 22323

Informateur¹⁷⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith

6/1

Took time to warm to the task on hurdles debut at Carlisle in April (2m3f, soft), but finished a rallying 9½L third to Duke Debarry; much more interesting for the future on soft ground in handicap company over staying trips.

Form: 283-

Thepensionfund³³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell

50/1

Soon beaten from the second last hurdle when finishing a distant fifth of seven to Global Jackpot (30/100f) at Perth (2m) last month; probably needs a greater stamina test; not considered.

Form: 3-45

Torrid¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Bannister| T: M & D Easterby

20/1

2-23 on the Flat (both wins coming between 1m-1mf); has to prove his stamina on hurdles debut and doesn't look anywhere near good enough in any case (70-rated on the level).

Form:

Ringaringarosie¹³²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Henry Brooke| T: M Todhunter

100/1

Pulled-up on both starts in Irish point-to-points (3m); with a new trainer now for rules debut, but will require a total transformation in order to be competitive over this vastly reduced trip; no chance.

Form: PP

Sweet Vinetta¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: Ross Chapman⁽³⁾| T: G Boanas

100/1

Her best effort came on debut in a 2m AW bumper at Newcastle in February (finished 3L third to Bournville); her trainer knows this family line well (dam a 2m3f hurdle winner); second start over hurdles, but better with more time and experience.

Form: 37-6

Non-Runners

Remember The Days¹⁴

Weight: 10-12| Age: 4

T: Jedd O'Keeffe J: Joe Colliver

Forecasts

Simply The Betts (8/11), Calach (3/1), Informateur (6/1), Remember The Days (8/1), Icefall (12/1), Big Time Dancer (14/1), Torrid (20/1), Ex S'elance (20/1), Definite Wisdom (33/1), Thepensionfund (50/1), Sweet Vinetta (100/1), Ringaringarosie (100/1), Dubh Des Champs (125/1), Hero's Story (150/1)

The standout form horse is the Harry Whittington-trained SIMPLY THE BETTS who finished down the field in the Supreme Novices Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March. He looks capable of making short work of these rivals on the strength of an impressive maiden win at Warwick in May. His trainer has only sent one horse to Hexham previously, and that was when the useful The Dubai Way won a similar novice hurdle in November 2017. Others to consider for the places include Calach and Ex S'elance.