16:45 Hexham

Saturday 5 June 2021

All13:0013:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:4517:2017:55

Nigel Smith Lifelong Bachelor Finally Succumbs Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:46 | Winning time: 5m 2.6s

Skipthescales^p³²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Craig Nichol| T: S Corbett| OR: 115| BF

11/1

Returned to form after 4 months off when third at Ayr in April but is a long time without a win and wasn't in the same form back there last time.

Form: 35403-5

Sheriff Garrett^b,t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: T D Easterby| OR: 113| CD

11/4

Is most reliable and, in a change of headgear, recorded his second win of the year back in the mud over C&D 4 weeks ago. Should give another good account.

Form: 71244-1

Kayf Adventure^p²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: C O'Farrell| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 110| D

11/1

One-time useful chaser who shaped better than the distance beaten suggests back over hurdles when 28¼ lengths third of 13 to Sheriff Garrett over C&D last time. Player off 5 lb lower.

Form: 5363U-3

River Frost¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 109| D

10/1

Mark in freefall and hinted at a revival at Market Rasen last time. Nevertheless, could only consider if backed.

Form: 40786-9

You Name Him^t²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 109

15/2

Fair maiden hurdler who wasn't disgraced when fourth of 12 in handicap hurdle at Ffos Las (20f, good to soft) 26 days ago. Has since been eased 4 lb so not ruled out.

Form: 53245-4

Mr Lombardi³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Henry Brooke| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 107

33/1

Fair maiden hurdler who offered little sent handicapping for new yard at Huntingdon last month. Others more persuasive.

Form: 0/359P-5

Taking Flight¹³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR: 105

18/1

Seemingly not the easiest to train and ran poorly after 6 months off when pulled up on Musselburgh handicap debut in January. Back from another break with enough to prove.

Form: 344P/4P-

Methag³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Harry Bannister| T: A M Hales| OR: 104

3/1

Won twice in 2019/20 campaign and hit the crossbar in a brace of handicap last term, including over C&D in October. Respectable third after 9 weeks off at Warwick last time and should be sharper now.

Form: 25275-3

Mauritian Bolt¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Nathan Moscrop⁽³⁾| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 101

16/1

Promise in bumpers and left his hurdles debut effort behind when third in a 16.2f course novice in April. Still plenty to do when unseating rider 3 out at Market Rasen latest but retains potential.

Form: 2483-U

Cyrus Keep^b⁸⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: B S Hughes| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 96

6/1

Bounced back from a poor run at Wetherby when third in a jumpers bumper at Newcastle in February, but failed to build on that promise back over hurdles last time, pulling before 2 out.

Form: 533P3P-

Forecasts

Sheriff Garrett (11/4), Methag (3/1), Cyrus Keep (6/1), You Name Him (15/2), River Frost (10/1), Skipthescales (11/1), Kayf Adventure (11/1), Mauritian Bolt (16/1), Taking Flight (18/1), Mr Lombardi (33/1)

A chance is taken on KAYF ADVENTURE to reverse the form with Sheriff Garrett from last time and come out on top having been eased a further 5 lb in the weights. The latter should give another good account, while Methag's best efforts entitle her to plenty of respect off her current mark of 104.