Follow Hexham Racecourse On Twitter Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:46 | Winning time: 6m 10.5s

Deluxe Range³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 113| D

13/2

Last of 3 in handicap chase at Kelso (23.4f) 38 days ago. Switches to hurdles with something to prove

Form: 45534-3

Court Dreaming^p³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 110

10/1

25f winner at Carlisle in March and in good form since, third of 7 in handicap hurdle at Ayr (24.3f) 39 days ago. Well in the mix off an unchanged mark.

Form: P4812-3

Half Shot^h⁵¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: C O'Farrell| T: I Jardine| OR: 108

11/4

Only second run for current yard when opening his account in 12-runner handicap hurdle at Perth (20.2ft) 51 days ago, travelling strongly. Weighted to go in again despite 5 lb rise.

Form: 072431-

Johnson's Blue²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: B S Hughes| T: M Walford| OR: 103| CD

4/6

Improving hurdler who arrives on a hat-trick after back-to-back C&D wins, going with enthusiasm. Up another 4 lb but can't be taken lightly.

Form: 7712-11

Non-Runners

Top Moon³⁶

Weight: 12-0| Age: 7

T: B Haslam J: R P McLernon

Better Getalong³¹

Weight: 11-8| Age: 11

T: N G Richards J: Conor Rabbitt

Forecasts

Johnson's Blue (4/6), Half Shot (11/4), Better Getalong (4/1), Deluxe Range (13/2), Court Dreaming (10/1), Top Moon (20/1)

HALF SHOT looks an improved model since switching to Iain Jardine and is fancied to defy a 5 lb rise and folow up his Perth success at the chief expense of hat-trick seeking Johnson's Blue, who rates a big threat. Nicky Richards' pair Court Dreaming and Better Getalong can fight it out for minor honours.