14:10 Hexham

Friday 9 November 2018

All13:0513:4014:1014:4515:1515:45

Weatherbys Racing Bank Foreign Exchange Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 6m 17.50s

River Icon²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-2| J: C O'Farrell| T: I Jardine| OR: 122

6/1

Mare who has enjoyed a real mixed bag of racing of late (chasing, hurdling, and most latterly on the Flat); best with some cut; given a thoughtful introduction to fencing when vainly chasing home Rebel Yeats here (2m4f) in October.

Form: 216-432

Militarian¹⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: J Martin⁽⁷⁾| T: Andrew Martin| OR: 118| BF

9/2

Improved performer since switched to fences, running some creditable races and steadily climbing the weights in due process; beaten just shy of 4L by Jassas in a similar contest at Uttoxeter in June (2m4f, good).

Form: 4/2P2-34

Geronimo²⁰⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Rachel McDonald⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Thomson| OR: 111| BF

6/1

Unexposed 7yo who tackles the larger obstacles for the first time after a string of second placed efforts over hurdles; stamina is seemingly his forte, as noted staying on bravely to get within a neck of Chicoria at Kelso in April (2m6f, heavy).

Form: 2222-

Talkofgold⁴⁰⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Henry Brooke| T: M Todhunter| OR: 110| C| D

40/1

Irish point-to-point winner who scored on his hurdles debut in a maiden here (2m4f) in May; switches to fences after a couple of reasonable hurdle runs this season - namely when bustling up 1/4f Gettysburg Address in September.

Form: F1/1324-

Durbanville²⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Finian O'Toole⁽³⁾| T: Stef Keniry| OR: 109| BF

10/1

Made a winning handicap debut (for James Ewart) at Carlisle in October 2017 over 2m3f+ (suited by the stamina test provided); struggled to replicate that form thereafter once upped in trip; remains in the same ownership for the switch to fences.

Form: 4/13365-

Little Bruce^p¹⁸⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Thomas Dowson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 107

5/1

Little Bruce became Big Bruce from Christmas onward in 2016 rattling off a trio of hurdle wins (2m3f-2m5f), climbing the weights accordingly; found life tough last season (just one win), but shaped okay on chasing debut over 2m4f here in May.

Form: 33081-4

Le Drapeau²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: B S Hughes| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 106

5/1

Sold by Oliver Sherwood for £11,000 in August 2017, he showed initial promise over hurdles for current connections before training off for the season; type to do much better for the switch to fences and with the benefit of a recent hurdles outing.

Form: 34249-9

Classical Milano¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Jonathon Bewley⁽³⁾| T: G Bewley| OR: 106| CD

12/1

Made all when a 1¾L winner over C&D in June (good), but hasn't managed to repeat that trick since and looks to be vulnerable in this more competitive race. That said, he evidently enjoys Hexham (2-5) and has suitable ground conditions.

Form: 2173P9

Cash To Ash²²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 105

12/1

Maiden pointer (0-5) who hasn't appeared to be any great shakes over hurdles (2m-2m5f) either thus far; needs to scale far greater heights for the switch to rules fencing; highly unlikely.

Form: 6P5346-

Late Date¹⁹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Joe Colliver| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 100| D

12/1

100-rated over hurdles and broadly reliable despite winning just once in 12 starts for Micky Hammond (3m Perth, good); had just the single start over the past 18 months, so has some well-being concerns; 1-2 in Irish PTP's in 2015/16.

Form: 231/665-

Forecasts

Militarian (9/2), Little Bruce (5/1), Le Drapeau (5/1), Geronimo (6/1), River Icon (6/1), Durbanville (10/1), Cash To Ash (12/1), Classical Milano (12/1), Late Date (12/1), Talkofgold (40/1)

Not the ideal type of contest for betting purposes and a race which is likely to be solely defined by jumping prowess (or not). Le Drapeau could take a step forward on his chasing debut for Sue Smith (looks just the type), whilst the market could prove informative with regards the chances of fellow chasing newcomer Durbanville, who is now in the care of his owner Stef Keniry. However, the top-weight RIVER ICON very much caught the eye when chasing home Rebel Yeats from a difficult racing position over 2m4f here in October, and with the benefit of that initial experience in her favour should prove far more competitive over this longer trip.