19:50 Hexham

Saturday 30 April 2022

All17:1517:5018:2018:5019:2019:5020:20

Alan Wigleys 70th Birthday Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 19:50 | Winning time: 4m 11.79s

Drumconnor Lad^p,t²³

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: Tom Midgley⁽⁵⁾| T: A Keatley| OR: 125| D

22/1

Veteran who retains a good chunk of ability and was back to form when runner-up in hunter chase at Leicester in March. Stiff task at Aintree last time but could be vulnerable again back hurdling.

Form: 3/25428-

Ellaat⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr O McGill⁽⁷⁾| T: N C Kelly| OR: 120| D

7/1

Irish raider who produced a career best when gaining his third success of the latest jumps campaign in handicap at Sedgefield (16.8f) 46 days ago. Consistent performer who is a leading contender once again.

Form: 311321-

Caius Marcius⁹⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-5| J: Conor Rabbitt⁽¹⁰⁾| T: N G Richards| OR: 118| CD

7/1

Veteran is a multiple winner, including over C&D, but he continues to fall in the weights without showing any great sign of taking advantage.

Form: 542U55-

Paddy The Horse²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Jonathon Bewley⁽³⁾| T: G Bewley| OR: 114

7/2

Irish point winner who has shown improved form to finish runner-up sent handicapping on his last 2 starts, including over C&D on the first occasion. Can go well again.

Form: 1/3R422-

Gaius⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽⁵⁾| T: N C Kelly| OR: 110

40/1

Hasn't shown much for current yard, no match for stablemate Ellaat when fourth at Sedgefield last time. Looks unlikely to reverse the form here.

Form: 3/47004-

For Three^p³³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: B S Hughes| T: J Ewart| OR: 110| CD

14/1

Winner of back-to-back handicap hurdles at Perth last summer. Off 8 months and had wind surgery prior to finishing fifth over C&D last month. Needs to step up on that effort.

Form: 2/62115-

Koi Dodville^b¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: C O'Farrell| T: D Pipe| OR: 118| CD

11/8

Good start in juvenile hurdles for current yard last summer, winning twice including over C&D. Struggled in graded company but improved when scoring in Cheltenham handicap (16.8f) 17 days ago. Player.

Form: 346021-

Malangen⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: Thomas Dowson| T: Miss L Harrison| OR: 102

12/1

Temperamental sort but ran well when third in handicap at Kelso (18.1f) at the start of the month. However, followed that effort with a below-par one at Perth 9 days ago.

Form: 652036-

Thomas Cranmer¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Thomas Willmott⁽³⁾| T: Miss T Jackson| OR: 95

16/1

Fair 10f winner on Flat who hasn't shown much in 4 starts over hurdles so far but was left poorly placed when seventh of 12 in handicap at Carlisle (17f) 14 days ago. Improvement needed.

Form: 4477-

Forecasts

Koi Dodville (11/8), Paddy The Horse (7/2), Caius Marcius (7/1), Ellaat (7/1), Malangen (12/1), For Three (14/1), Thomas Cranmer (16/1), Drumconnor Lad (22/1), Gaius (40/1)

ELLAAT hasn't finished outside the first 3 in his last 6 outings over hurdles, winning 3 times, and can continue his good run of form. He produced a career best when scoring at Sedgefield last time and can follow up in his current mood. Koi Dodville won at Cheltenham earlier this month and is feared most, while Paddy The Horse is lightly raced and could have more progress to come on his third handicap start.