Seasons Greetings From All At Hexham Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 5m 41.30s

Houston Texas⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Craig Nichol| T: A C Whillans

11/1

€38,000 3-y-o, Dylan Thomas gelding. Dam winning pointer. Runner-up first 2 starts in Irish points, winner next time (Oct 18). Market for clues on Rules bow.

Form: 221

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Paddy The Panda²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Alain Cawley| T: D Bourke

22/1

Modest in bumpers and similar form over hurdles, still in need of the experience when fourth in a course novice (16.2f) 21 days ago. Up in trip, and may do better.

Form: 73-74

Storm Arcadio⁶⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Fergus Gregory⁽³⁾| T: L Horsfall

14/1

Showed fair form when making the frame in the last 2 of his 3 outings in bumpers. The bare form nothing special but he starts out over hurdles at a realistic level.

Form: P-923

Westdante³²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: J Kington| T: D Brooke

50/1

€12,000 3-y-o, Westerner gelding. Dam (c82/h107) 2¼m-3m hurdle/chase winner (stayed 27f). Failed to complete first 2 starts in points, second of 2 finishers last time (Jan 19).

Form: F/P2-

Lady Bowes⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Charlotte Jones⁽⁷⁾| T: James Moffatt

4/1

Fair bumper winner who failed to justify support on hurdling debut after 11 weeks off at Ayr (20.4f) in October. Clearly thought capable of better.

Form: 624-14

Sophie Fatale³³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 112

2/5

Yet to get her head in front but fair form to be placed all 5 starts over hurdles, unseated on chasing debut latest. Clearly the one to beat.

Form: 2/322-3U

Forecasts

Sophie Fatale (2/5), Lady Bowes (4/1), Houston Texas (11/1), Storm Arcadio (14/1), Paddy The Panda (22/1), Westdante (50/1)

A maiden hurdle lacking clear depth, so this looks a good opportunity for SOPHIE FATALE to finally get off the mark. Storm Arcadio made the frame on his final 2 outings in bumpers and is perhaps the one to follow the selection home.