13:50 Hexham

Wednesday 8 December 2021

All12:2012:5013:2013:5014:2014:5015:20

Racegoers Club, British Horseracing's Fan Club Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 5m 36.65s

Rostello⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 98

12/1

Maiden who is hard to catch right. Ran well when third off this mark at Uttoxeter 6 weeks ago but no banker to be in the same form.

Form: U4-56P3

Solid Strike^p³⁴⁵

Age: 13| Weight: 11-11| J: B S Hughes| T: Paul Collins| OR: 97| CD

66/1

Successful over C&D in March 2019, but that's his sole success from 18 appearances under Rules and he has offered little in 2 starts so far this season. Cheekpieces refitted.

Form: 5P52/PP-

Without Conviction²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 97

5/1

Placed in a point and 2 heavy-ground bumpers. Promise over hurdles and showed a clear aptitude for chasing when third here (2m) 3 weeks ago. More to come up in trip.

Form: 3373-83

Graystown^p,t⁶⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Sean Quinlan| T: W Coltherd| OR: 95| CD

8/1

Largely campaigned at Hexham nowadays, registering fourth success here (15.6f, soft) 2 months ago. Step back up in trip no problem and 3 lb rise fair, so he'll be a threat if his jumping holds up.

Form: P213F1

Shaka The King^p1²⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 95| BF

10/3

Third sole start in points and progressive form over hurdles, second on handicap bow at Newcastle in April. Remains capable of better starting out for this yard, especially now chasing. Headgear on.

Form: 3/4652-

Skyhill^t¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Mrs A C Hamilton| OR: 89

16/1

Recorded a 4-timer in 2019/20. Hasn't scored since but has been given a chance by the handicapper and shaped as if needing the run at Sedgefield 2 weeks ago.

Form: 345-386

Knocknamona³⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: Alain Cawley| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 87| D

9/2

Successful in this sphere at Bangor before a good second back over hurdles at Uttoxeter in December. Ran poorly next 4 starts, though, including on return.

Form: 127P8-7

Eveque³²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: C O'Farrell| T: Mrs J Walton| OR: 84

40/1

No solid form in bumpers/hurdles.

Form: 0/057-PP

Muroor^b⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: Thomas Dowson| T: V Thompson| OR: 75

8/1

Solid second upon rejoining this yard here in October and respectable efforts since, runner-up at Market Rasen last week. Remains vulnerable for win purposes, however.

Form: 3P2352

Iskabeg Lane^p²²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-1| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁵⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 73WS

16/1

Well below par on each of his 7 starts since returning from a lengthy absence last season but handicapper continues to relent at least. Off 7 months.

Form: 3PP74-7

The Dawn Man^p,t²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: R Patrick| T: M Scudamore| OR: 69

7/1

Landed a gamble on yard debut at Wetherby last spring, his sole success from 25 starts under Rules, and well held last 3 starts. 3 lb out of the handicap.

Form: 53-2666

Younoso⁶³⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: S Mulqueen| T: Miss T Jackson| OR: 69| D

150/1

Won at Newcastle 3 years ago but well held all 3 starts in 2020 and not seen since. 3 lb out of weights.

Form: 14P7P7/

Non-Runners

Fightfortheroses²¹

Weight: 11-6| Age: 6

T: B Haslam J: Harry Reed

Forecasts

Shaka The King (10/3), Knocknamona (9/2), Without Conviction (5/1), The Dawn Man (7/1), Muroor (8/1), Graystown (8/1), Fightfortheroses (8/1), Rostello (12/1), Skyhill (16/1), Iskabeg Lane (16/1), Eveque (40/1), Solid Strike (66/1), Younoso (150/1)

SHAKA THE KING showed progressive form over hurdles, runner-up on his handicap bow at Newcastle in April, and should have more to offer switched to fences (bred to make a chaser) for a new yard. Without Conviction made a positive start over fences when third here 3 weeks ago and is open to improvement stepped up in trip, while Graystown arrives on the back of a fourth course win.