17:05 Hexham

Saturday 8 May 2021

All14:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:0517:40

J S Hubbuck Agricultural Merchants Handicap Chase

Off time: 17:05 | Winning time: 7m 18.60s

Blow By Blow^p³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: C O'Farrell| T: I Jardine| OR: 110

9/1

Won the Martin Pipe at the Cheltenham Festival in 2018 but has lost his way badly. Off 14 months and never a factor on debut for this yard at Carlisle 5 weeks ago.

Form: 9P257/6-

Nakadam⁵¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: F P Murtagh| OR: 105| C

25/1

Veteran chaser who returned from a year off to win here (31.9f) in November. His last 3 efforts have been very tame, though.

Form: 4/13PP4-

Article Fifty^t⁵⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Jonathon Bewley⁽³⁾| T: G Bewley| OR: 105

50/1

Improved when opening chase account in a handicap at Kelso 14 months ago but just the one creditable effort since and ran a moody race tried in blinkers latest.

Form: 1/UP63P-

Prince Dundee^p,t³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 100| CD

5/1

Won twice over C&D in 2019. Seen just twice last season but shaped as if retaining ability when third over C&D 5 weeks ago, likely to have lasted longer as a threat but for some interference. Player.

Form: 222P/33-

Mcginty's Dream^t¹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N W Alexander| OR: 98| CD

16/1

Better than ever when winning handicaps here on first 2 starts last season. However, form has nosedived since and jumping continues to be an issue.

Form: P887PP-

Square Viviani⁷⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Alain Cawley| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 98| CD

16/1

Hit the target twice in 2019/20, including over this C&D. Entitled to come on for reappearance spin at Uttoxeter (first run for 13 months), but others make more appeal all the same.

Form: P51P1/5-

Absolutely Dylan¹⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Ryan Mania| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 96| BF

10/3

Dual chase winner who fell markedly in the weights and confirmed he's competitive again with a pair of runner-up efforts to end 2020. Needs considering back from a break.

Form: 4P/5022-

Hidden Cargo¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Thomas Dowson| T: J C Haynes| OR: 93| D

40/1

Remains winless following 20 starts under Rules and well held on debut for this yard last time.

Form: 442PP7-

Tour De Pub^b⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 90| D

13/2

Still looking for first success under Rules but returned to form when third at Wetherby (24.1f, good) and not disgraced next time. Jumping remains a concern back over fences. Change of headgear.

Form: 64P34-V

Westend Theatre⁵¹

Age: 12| Weight: 10-3| J: Ross Chapman| T: Mrs J Walton| OR: 87| BF| CD

10/1

Veteran who belatedly shed maiden tag over C&D 17 month ago and overcame being 6 lb out of the weights to cause a surprise at Newcastle in March. Creditable fourth under a penalty here since.

Form: 42/3314-

Iwasthefutureonce^b,t¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-1| J: B S Hughes| T: T D Easterby| OR: 85| D

4/1

Gained breakthrough win in 3m handicap hurdle at Wetherby last month, but he was not in the same form next 2 starts and back over fences now.

Form: 455155-

Graystown^p,t1¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 84| C

22/1

Dual winner here in October but form has nosedived since and stamina to prove at this trip. Tongue strap on for 1st time.

Form: 1P4P80-

Oh No^t³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: K Yeoman⁽⁷⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 81

16/1

Little promise since a fairly encouraging chase debut at Ayr. 3 lb out of the handicap.

Form: 3RP/65P-

Non-Runners

Well Smitten¹⁶

Weight: 11-10| Age: 9

T: S England J: Jonathan England

Monte Alban⁷

Weight: 10-6| Age: 8

T: Justin Landy J: Craig Nichol

Kitty Fisher²⁸

Weight: 10-0| Age: 11

T: Miss S E Forster J: Rachel McDonald

Forecasts

Absolutely Dylan (10/3), Iwasthefutureonce (4/1), Prince Dundee (5/1), Monte Alban (6/1), Tour De Pub (13/2), Well Smitten (8/1), Blow By Blow (9/1), Westend Theatre (10/1), Mcginty's Dream (16/1), Square Viviani (16/1), Oh No (16/1), Graystown (22/1), Nakadam (25/1), Hidden Cargo (40/1), Article Fifty (50/1), Kitty Fisher (66/1)

ABSOLUTELY DYLAN is still weighted to win one of these and this could be it with his yard going well. Prince Dundee has a good record here and showed he retains his ability when third over C&D last time, so rates the main threat ahead of Well Smitten, who has dipped below his last winning mark.