17:10 Hexham

Thursday 17 March 2022

All13:4514:2515:0515:4516:2517:1017:45

Wor Bella Handicap Hurdle (Div 1)

Off time: 17:16 | Winning time: 6m 12.71s

Classic Escape^b³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 100

9/2

Jumping an issue over fences, but he's been given a big chance by the handicapper returned to timber eased in grade. One to take seriously.

Form: 945463

Tartan Cookie^b⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 95

13/2

Blinkered for the first time when gaining breakthrough win in 5-runner contest at Newcastle last month. Up 6 lb but he's unexposed as a stayer.

Form: P40P51

Torngat²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: K Brogan⁽³⁾| T: T Davidson| OR: 94

5/1

Failed to improve on first start in handicaps when mid-field at Wetherby but back on track without convincing in relation to the return to 25f when eighth at Carlisle next time. More needed.

Form: 755488

Wotsmyname^p1⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: I Jardine| OR: 89

12/1

Maiden who ran up to form despite looking a tricky ride when fifth at Newcastle last week. Application of headgear looks a good move and he now goes up in trip.

Form: 59P465

Moonacura³³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 85| BF

5/4

Good start when third in a big-field 2m maiden hurdle at Gowran in March. Disappointing after but much more like it on second handicap start when third at Uttoxeter month ago (race working out).

Form: 3-00P3

Up With The Play^v²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Mr Paddy Barlow⁽⁷⁾| T: V Thompson| OR: 85

40/1

Fair maiden on the Flat in Ireland. Limited impact over hurdles, including for this yard but does shape as though worth a go at this trip.

Form: 7F8557

Fame And Hope^p²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Miss Becky Smith⁽³⁾| T: G Boanas| OR: 74

10/1

Maiden hurdler. Second in a C&D handicap in December but hasn't come close to reproducing that since.

Form: 026U9P

Songbird's Tale⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Mark Galligan⁽⁷⁾| T: Paul Collins| OR: 69

20/1

No worthwhile form under Rules so far.

Form: 8-64876

Dorothy's Flame^v1¹⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁵⁾| T: J C Haynes| OR: 66

150/1

Long-standing maiden who remains easy to oppose.

Form: 60/P5-8P

Non-Runners

Sutton Manor²⁴

Weight: 11-10| Age: 11

T: Miss Lucinda V Russell J: P W Wadge

Kinerton Hill⁹

Weight: 10-5| Age: 6

T: D W Whillans J: Callum Bewley

Forecasts

Moonacura (5/4), Classic Escape (9/2), Torngat (5/1), Tartan Cookie (13/2), Fame And Hope (10/1), Wotsmyname (12/1), Sutton Manor (12/1), Kinerton Hill (16/1), Songbird's Tale (20/1), Up With The Play (40/1), Dorothy's Flame (150/1)

MOONACURA showed a lot more than previously when third at Uttoxeter a month ago, and with that race working out well, he's an appealing candidate from just 1 lb higher. Tartan Cookie is unexposed as a stayer and is second choice, with Classic Escape another to note back hurdling.