14:25 Hexham

Wednesday 9 December 2020

All12:2512:5513:2513:5514:2514:5515:25

Hexham Membership An Ideal Christmas Present Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:26 | Winning time: 6m 43.8s

Dequall²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Coltherd⁽³⁾| T: W Coltherd| OR: 97| C

14/1

Raised his game when making a winning reappearance over 2½m here (heavy) in October but not in the same form when remote fourth at this venue (2½m again) since. Now steps up to 3m for first time.

Form: 8516-14

The Very Thing^h³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Billy Garritty⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 97

20/1

Better signs for this yard when second at Wetherby in March and may have just needed the run when 9 lengths fourth of 7 on C&D return 33 days ago.

Form: 43PP2-4

Wind Of Hope^p²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-6| J: Callum Bewley| T: A C Whillans| OR: 91

50/1

Belatedly added to first success under Rules back in 2015 when scoring at Ayr (3m, heavy) in March. Pulled up on last month's course reappearance, though.

Form: 42261-P

Final Fling^p²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: William Shanahan⁽⁷⁾| T: R Dobbin| OR: 90| CD

12/1

Doesn't look as good as he once was but mark is beginning to reflect that and he's performed respectably on both outings this term. Former C&D winner. Acts on heavy. Each-way claims.

Form: 4654-45

A Ladies Milan^p,t³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Blair Campbell⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 89| BF

40/1

Still without a win but his third in a 3m chase here in September was a creditable run and he's a contender if bouncing back from a lesser effort last time now returning to hurdles.

Form: 56P-537

Cudgel³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: C O'Farrell| T: J Walton| OR: 88| CD

5/1

Second C&D win when edging ahead close home on reappearance (heavy) 33 days ago. Only raised 3 lb and likely to give another good account of himself.

Form: 21323-1

Fame And Hope¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: B S Hughes| T: G Boanas| OR: 86

20/1

Lightly raced but no significant impact in handicaps on last 2 starts so will need to raise her game a little to go close.

Form: 23-7666

Golan Cloud^p²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 86

6/5

Bumped into one well ahead of its mark when second on 2½m course reappearance 3 weeks ago. Saw the rest off fairly comfortably and he's a major player here for a yard which continues in good form.

Form: 79791-2

Western Sunrise⁴³

Age: 11| Weight: 10-12| J: C Brassil⁽⁵⁾| T: J Farrelly| OR: 83

50/1

Thirteen runs since last win in 2018. 40/1, eleventh of 12 in 2m handicap at Chepstow 43 days ago. Significantly back up in trip. Yard not going too badly so worth a market check.

Form: 7666-F0

Espoir Moriviere²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 82

9/1

Successful at Wetherby on final outing last term and awarded a handicap (bumped significantly close home) at Ayr on return. Subsequent fifth at Newcastle no more than respectable, though.

Form: 2P41-15

Oliver's Island^b,t²⁶⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Aaron Anderson⁽⁷⁾| T: Sean Conway| OR: 78| D

33/1

Took advantage of reduced mark when landing 3m handicap hurdle at Southwell in March. Peak fitness does have to be taken on trust on this first outing since, though.

Form: 5/64651-

Love At Dawn²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: F P Murtagh| OR: 74

8/1

No impact in handicaps for Peter Niven in 2018/19 but better signs for new yard when 18 lengths third (Golan Cloud 7 lengths ahead in second) on 2½m course return 3 weeks ago. Back up in trip.

Form: 9P856/3

Saint Jude^p,t1²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: Danny McMenamin⁽³⁾| T: A Wilson| OR: 72

40/1

First piece of worthwhile form when third of 13 over C&D in September but behind a couple of these rivals when well-held seventh over 2½m here since. Has a first-time tongue tie added to cheekpieces.

Form: 0-97437

Forecasts

Golan Cloud (6/5), Cudgel (5/1), Love At Dawn (8/1), Espoir Moriviere (9/1), Final Fling (12/1), Dequall (14/1), Fame And Hope (20/1), The Very Thing (20/1), Oliver's Island (33/1), Saint Jude (40/1), A Ladies Milan (40/1), Wind Of Hope (50/1), Western Sunrise (50/1)

GOLAN CLOUD was no match for a very well-handicapped rival here last time but did see the rest off comfortably so could be the way to go with the Jennie Candlish team continuing in fine form. Cudgel is respected as a last-time-out C&D scorer, while Final Fling goes well in the mud and is down to a mark he ought to be very competitive from.