14:30 Hexham

Thursday 20 December 2018

All12:3013:0013:3014:0014:3015:00

Next Meeting Cheltenham Thursday 14th March Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 6m 56.6s

Royal Salute⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Jonathon Bewley⁽³⁾| T: G Bewley| OR: 102

13/2

Recent form figures not overly inspiring but equally don't tell full tale. 12lb lower than when scoring for Anthony Honeyball at Plumpton (3m1f+) in January 2017; promising second to Well Below Par over 2m4f here a week ago, mark unchanged.

Form: P4P-5F2

Late Date¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Alain Cawley| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 101| D

3/1

Made all on second chase start to win at Sedgefield (3m2½f, soft-heavy in places) 13 days ago. Entitled to have designs on following up from 3lb higher mark.

Form: 1/665-P1

Hattons Hill^p⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: H Hogarth| OR: 100| CD

8/1

A regular in these parts but out of sorts since winning five on the bounce in early 2017 (all over 3m, ground ranged from good to heavy); at least finishing his races again, behind Royal Salute (5L) here last week, longer trip suits both quite well.

Form: 1PPP-44

See Double You⁴¹

Age: 15| Weight: 11-9| J: Fergus Gregory⁽⁵⁾| T: R McNally| OR: 97| CD

14/1

Retired by connections in August 2017, but in such rude health in the field he was brought back for an emotional C&D success in September. Twice acquitted himself well over timber since from this mark and not written off despite rising 16-years-old.

Form: 220-158

Dan's Wee Man²³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Mr G Disney⁽⁷⁾| T: J Mason| OR: 96| D

33/1

Some promise in four chase starts under rules, twice finishing second in late 2014. Not seen under rules since January of 2015, record in point-to-points since ensures handicapper isn't taking any undue risks here however.

Form: 1/23U2-1

Dartford Warbler⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Coltherd⁽⁵⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 93| CD

5/1

Was on a definite going day when winning over C&D in June, beating 15 rivals in taking advantage of a career-low mark. Below that form in three starts since coming back in, including here. Work to be done and just 2-27 over fences.

Form: 471437

Moorstown^p1,t²⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 80| D

16/1

Winner of a low-key 3m Bangor novices' handicap chase in November 2016 (soft), but bar a solid run at Ayr in March this year has proved more than a shade underwhelming overall; handicap mark continues to ease however.

Form: P4P274-

Mcginty's Dream⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Grant Cockburn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 73

7/4

Career-best over fences when narrow second over C&D last week, just giving best to the favourite close home with the front two pulling miles clear. Handicap mark unchanged and obvious contender if turning up in similar mood.

Form: U-44702

Forecasts

Mcginty's Dream (7/4), Late Date (3/1), Dartford Warbler (5/1), Royal Salute (13/2), Hattons Hill (8/1), See Double You (14/1), Moorstown (16/1), Dan's Wee Man (33/1)

ROYAL SALUTE is well-handicapped on his 2017 form and was a good second here a week ago over 2m4f (winner Well Below Par runs in the opening race). With his mark unchanged and the return to this sort of trip a plus, he may go one better. Hattons Hill was 5L behind him then and is also going to relish the extra yards, while frontrunner Late Date has sound claims of backing up his Sedgefield success from a 3lb higher perch. Mcginty's Dream was agonisingly denied here eight days ago and, while not the most reliable, is a danger again. Victory for the seemingly ageless See Double You would bring down the house and he's impossible to rule out.