16:10 Hexham

Tuesday 26 March 2019

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

Listen To Smooth Radio North East Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 6m 28.7s

Arizona Bound^p¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 94| D

11/2

Has failed to really progress since his Perth win in the summer off a 1lb lower mark. There was a little more sparkle over C&D last time though in testing conditions (still went in snatches); a repeat sees him go close.

Form: 2F6342

Bertalus^v¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Grant Cockburn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 93| D

25/1

His Newcastle win just under a year ago came out of the blue on his return to fences (2m7f, heavy) but this unreliable individual has failed to fire since. Pulled up over a marathon trip here last time (failed to stay); fails to make the shortlist.

Form: P531-0P

Againn Dul Aghaidh³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Brendan Powell| T: A E Jones| OR: 92| D

17/2

First runner at this venue for a trainer whose runners are always worth a glance in the market. This one is a multiple point-to-point winner (5-11); very limited impact under Rules however; jumped poorly, pulled up last time.

Form: 14668P

Sevenballs Of Fire^p¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: Jonathon Bewley⁽³⁾| T: G Bewley| OR: 92

20/1

Moody and unreliable individual whose form of late over both sets of obstacles leaves a lot to be desired. Offered very little over C&D last time returning to fences and remains a perilous proposition in this.

Form: 3/5-8605

Square Viviani²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Alain Cawley| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 92

9/1

Has hinted that a revival may be on the cards on a few occasions but has failed to build on any promise so far despite falling a long way in the weights. Headgear worn last time now dispensed with; still a precarious suggestion.

Form: 34-4P3P

Hattons Hill^b³⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: H Hogarth| OR: 90| CD

8/1

A record of 5-8 over C&D points to a candidate who enjoys his outing here but on the flip side he is without a win since June 2017. Add in the fact that he's failed to complete in his last four starts and his profile looks an unsafe one.

Form: 44PFUP

Dan's Wee Man^p¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr G Disney⁽⁷⁾| T: J Mason| OR: 89| D

5/1

Yet to win a race under Rules (dual point-to-point winner) but has shown some ability when with Anthony Honeyball. Appears to have retained some ability judged on his last outing at Plumpton (runner-up); repeat puts him in the mix.

Form: U2-1452

Ashes Corner^p⁴⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Henry Brooke| T: Julia Brooke| OR: 84

20/1

Form under Rules has a very limited and weak feel to it including on his chasing debut recently at Ayr; pulled up after making mistakes. Drops in grade here but hard to build a solid case on what he's shown so far.

Form: 5743/PP

Apache Pilot^p,t³³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: Dale Irving⁽³⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 84| CD

9/1

Knows his way around here (three-time course winner) whose last win came over C&D (off a 4lb higher mark). Failed to recapture his form in five starts since a break; well handicapped if a return here sparks a revival.

Form: 46P3U8

Veauce De Sivola^t¹⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Rachel McDonald⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss S E Forster| OR: 82| D

5/1

Ended a losing run of two years last time out at Musselburgh (3m, soft) responding well to pressure, building on a good run the time before. Not the most reliable though but has to be respected on his first start at this track.

Form: 6-89421

Prince Dundee^p1,t¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Blair Campbell⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 82

5/1

Mistakes have so far blighted his chasing career although this trip looks far more suitable for him. Cheekpieces now added to his usual tongue-tie with an easing handicap mark to assist; young enough not to be written off yet.

Form: 6-65655

Non-Runners

Marlee Massie¹⁷

Weight: 11-12| Age: 10

T: N W Alexander J: Lucy Alexander

Forecasts

Prince Dundee (5/1), Veauce De Sivola (5/1), Dan's Wee Man (5/1), Arizona Bound (11/2), Hattons Hill (8/1), Againn Dul Aghaidh (17/2), Apache Pilot (9/1), Square Viviani (9/1), Marlee Massie (12/1), Sevenballs Of Fire (20/1), Ashes Corner (20/1), Bertalus (25/1)

A distinct lack of solid profiles abound in this staying handicap chase although it should give last time out Musselburgh winner Veauce De Sivola a chance to build on that victory off a 5lb higher mark but the Plumpton runner-up DAN'S WEE MAN is just preferred. Multiple C&D winner’s Apache Pilot and Hattons Hill will be popular with followers of horses for courses although neither has shown that much of late. Both Lucinda Russell’s pair Arizona Bound and Prince Dundee should be respected especially the latter who wears cheekpieces for the first-time in a race where headgear appears to be de riguer.