14:40 Hexham

Tuesday 26 March 2019

All14:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:40

Visit Our New Static Caravan Site Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:41 | Winning time: 4m 20.30s

Mint Gold^t³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 113

20/1

Caused a surprise (aided by the favourites demise) when taking a Carlisle novice hurdle at 50-1. Responded well to pressure so has to be respected on his first foray into handicaps although more is required off this opening mark.

Form: 36671

Saint Freule^h¹²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Blair Campbell⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 113| CD

4/1

Quirky customer (has refused to race on more than one occasion) but showed his good side when winning a C&D handicap in November. Hard to be confident about his chances though given his overall demeanour; one to treat with caution.

Form: 42R-671

Murphy's Law¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: B S Hughes| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 110

7/2

Displayed some fair form in novice hurdles so far and now steps into handicaps for the first time. Ran well last time but appeared unsuited by the 2m trip; will be better suited by a return to 2m4f; remains with potential.

Form: FP3544

Snookered^p⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Sean Quinlan| T: B Ellison| OR: 110

8/1

Back in headgear last time and raced too freely to do himself justice over 2m at Wetherby. Cheekpieces retained (worn for his last Flat win); yet to win over hurdles (0-5), runs off the same mark as last time; others appeal more.

Form: 3-2064

Farocco^p1,t³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Dale Irving⁽³⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 106

16/1

Cheekpieces now reached for (second run back from wind surgery); may well have needed the run last time, returning from a four month break. Now tried in handicaps for the first time; modest form apart from one Perth second, more needed.

Form: P4P767

Lucky Lucarno²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 106

11/2

Best run came on a sound surface but has so far looked stifled by running at 2m when further is needed to show his true potential. Back on track last time at Newcastle (2m, good-to-soft), but still lacks the pace to get involved over 2m.

Form: B46-444

Not The Chablis²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander| OR: 106| D

12/1

Irish bumper winner who so far has shown little progress over hurdles for his current yard but now has handicaps as an option. Looked as though an extra furlong or two would be to his advantage last time; stiff test/track to suit.

Form: 31463

Gold Runner⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 103

10/1

Like quite a few from this yard she's improved for going handicapping (strong in the market on her second start in this sphere). Travelled well over further at Ayr last time; now off the same mark but can't be ruled out back in trip.

Form: 2-67672

Felix Mendelssohn^b1²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Sam Coltherd⁽³⁾| T: W Coltherd| OR: 92| BF

9/2

Fair Flat performer in the past but has (so far) failed to transfer that ability to his hurdling exploits despite attracting support on more than one occasion. Hard to find many more excuses for him now; first-time blinkers applied.

Form: 595966

Forecasts

Murphy's Law (7/2), Saint Freule (4/1), Felix Mendelssohn (9/2), Lucky Lucarno (11/2), Snookered (8/1), Gold Runner (10/1), Not The Chablis (12/1), Farocco (16/1), Mint Gold (20/1)

Lucinda Russell runs two in this with both of them scoring last time out although C&D winner Saint Freule has rather blotted his copybook since then by refusing to race at Kelso on Saturday, he remains a quirky customer and Mint Gold would be the preference from her duo. Another female trainer – Sam England – may hold the key to this with her GOLD RUNNER who looks ready to strike in handicaps especially after her last run. A few of these would appreciate further including Murphy’s Law and Not The Chablis although the stiff nature of this track will suit both and that could be the key to them getting involved.