15:30 Hexham

Saturday 12 June 2021

All13:1513:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:10

Follow Hexham Racecourse On Twitter Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:48 | Winning time: 6m 2.00s

Gealach^b⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 12-1| J: Ben Bromley⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs D Foster| OR: 127

20/1

Fairly useful hurdler who ran disappointingly at Ballinrobe (25.4f) in August. Possible a recent spin on the Flat will have blown the cobwebs away and runners from this yard always demand respect.

Form: 148/740-

Story Of Friends^t,v³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 126

9/2

Took his form to new level when taking 26.5f Newton Abbot handicap last September and back to that level on the back of 7 months off when runner-up at Plumpton (20.5f) in May. Should go well again.

Form: F5120-2

Sunrise Ruby⁷³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 124

7/2

Bumper winner who landed maiden/novice hurdle events at up to 21.5f in the autumn. Dispelled pair of lesser efforts when third in a Ludlow handicap in March and longer trip worth exploring now.

Form: 5/11083-

Jacks Last Hope^v²¹⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: C Grant| OR: 124

25/1

Dual winner at up to 27f during 2019. Proved more miss than hit in 6 starts last season so hopes pinned on a break perking this veteran up now.

Form: 2P5059-

All Hail Caesar^v1⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Nathan Moscrop⁽³⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 117| C

5/1

Off the mark in good style over hurdles at Wetherby (3m) in December and returned to land a 3m maiden chase here last week. That form doesn't look strong but respected nevertheless back over timber.

Form: 41/031-1

Spantik³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: Alain Cawley| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 112

10/1

Fair Flat winner who opened hurdling account in a maiden at Sedgefield (19.8f) in April, looking held in second when left clear 2 out. Below form at Kelso since but switch to handicaps rates a plus.

Form: 541-5

Dancing Doug¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-1| J: Callum Bewley| T: A C Whillans| OR: 99| BF

3/1

In good form since the turn of the year, beaten only by one who had slipped in the weights at Cartmel (22f) 12 days ago. Another stepping up in grade but not dismissed in present groove.

Form: 43F3-32

Ever So Much^p¹²

Age: 12| Weight: 10-1| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 99| CD

7/1

Veteran who was struggling for form this spring, yet having fallen in weights, announced a return to form when third of 11 at Cartmel (22f) 12 days ago. Task is to back that up in this stronger race.

Form: 1P658-3

Forecasts

Dancing Doug (3/1), Sunrise Ruby (7/2), Story Of Friends (9/2), All Hail Caesar (5/1), Ever So Much (7/1), Spantik (10/1), Gealach (20/1), Jacks Last Hope (25/1)

GEALACH was out of form when last seen over hurdles but he's had a spin on the Flat recently and now finds himself in a weaker contest than he's used to in Ireland, so he takes preference over the in-form Dancing Doug, with Story of Friends also making the shortlist.