13:10 Hexham

Thursday 18 March 2021

All12:4013:1013:4514:2014:5515:3016:05

Visit attheraces.com Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:20 | Winning time: 6m 42.92s

Speak Of The Devil^p,t1³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 107| CD

12/1

Off the mark under Rules in C&D handicap on return in October. Well below form on his last 3 starts, though, so needs a return to this venue to spark revival. Has tongue tie added to cheekpieces.

Form: 4-1337P

Frankie Baby^b⁸⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 105

28/1

Hard to get excited by recent hurdle efforts so needs this switch to fences to have a positive effect.

Form: 0-53796

Don Herbager¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Rex Dingle| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 103| D

6/4

Has upped his game since switched to chasing, winning at Exeter (3m) and Leicester (23f) this year. Increased test of stamina now should suit and can make light of a further 7 lb rise.

Form: P/23131

King Of Fashion^p,t¹⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-3| J: Ryan Mania| T: I A Duncan| OR: 96| C

11/2

Back to form out of blue when narrowly denied in 3m Ayr handicap under Ryan Mania 17 days ago, some mistakes in the straight costing him victory. Should go well, particularly if keeping errors down.

Form: 9-P8UP2

Cudgel²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: J Walton| OR: 86| BF| C

11/2

Likeable type who won pair of 3m hurdles here on heavy at end of 2020. Not at best when 28 lengths second at Sedgefield (21f) on completed start over fences in recent months but contender back here.

Form: 3-114U2

To The Limit²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: Sam Coltherd⁽³⁾| T: W Coltherd| OR: 82

12/1

Well held in 3 novice hurdles this winter but this ex-pointer stands a more realistic chance now handicapping over fences.

Form: 6P-579

Real Armani^t³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Ross Chapman| T: Mrs J Walton| OR: 81WS

4/1

Yet to win but has been runner-up 3 times over fences, including at Musselburgh in January. Latest Carlisle run disappointing, though (reportedly bled). Has had wind op.

Form: 322-527

Marvellous Joe^p,t1²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 78

18/1

No show in novice hurdles and pulled up on Sedgefield chase/handicap debut in cheekpieces 3 weeks ago. Addition of a tongue tie needs to spark big improvement.

Form: 0/64-8PP

Non-Runners

Imperial Prince¹⁷

Weight: 10-0| Age: 12

T: I A Duncan J: Non Runner

Costly Dream¹⁰⁸

Weight: 10-0| Age: 9

T: W Young Jnr J: P W Wadge

Forecasts

Don Herbager (6/4), Real Armani (4/1), King Of Fashion (11/2), Cudgel (11/2), Speak Of The Devil (12/1), To The Limit (12/1), Costly Dream (12/1), Marvellous Joe (18/1), Frankie Baby (28/1), Imperial Prince (50/1)

DON HERBAGER is going the right way and can make it 3 wins in his last 4 starts with the step back up to 3m very much in his favour. King of Fashion rates a threat, particularly if cutting out the jumping errors which almost certainly cost him victory at Ayr last time. Cudgel is also much respected at a venue where he has 3 hurdle wins to his name.