Follow Hexham Racecourse On Facebook Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:08 | Winning time: 5m 28.33s

Breaking The Ice²⁸³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Jonathon Bewley⁽³⁾| T: G Bewley| OR: 108

11/2

Enjoyed a splendid first season over fences, completing a course hat-trick at Kelso when last seen in December. Unable to complete the 4-timer but he could well have a say on reappearance after 9 months off the track.

Form: 361114-

Dolly Dancer^t²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: S Mulqueen| T: M A Barnes| OR: 105| C| D

14/1

Won at this track in June but seems to have completely lost form, tailed-off some way out at Kelso last month. Easy to look elsewhere despite her tumbling mark.

Form: 712P65

Croagh Patrick^t¹⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Lewis Stones⁽⁵⁾| T: S England| OR: 103| BF| CD

3/1

Has improved for a breathing operation, making the most of a good opportunity over C&D before following up at Carlisle last term. Shaped as if still in decent heart for most of the way at this course (24.2f) when last seen back in May so he merits plenty respect.

Form: 6211-25

Without Conviction¹⁸⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Alan Doyle⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 99| CD

6/4

Has taken well to fences, opening her account over C&D last December. Respectable efforts since, but ran below form on her first try at 3m at this course when last seen back in April. Will need to hit the ground running.

Form: 313437-

Asking For Answers^v¹⁸⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: Sean Quinlan| T: M Todhunter| OR: 85| C

7/2

Course winner back in 2020 who was last seen tailed-off after a breathing operation at this track (3m) back in April (reportedly scoped dirty afterwards). Watching brief advised on this return to action.

Form: F/2P4P0-

Non-Runners

Punxsutawney Phil²⁶

Weight: 12-2| Age: 5

T: B Ellison J: Henry Brooke

Forecasts

Punxsutawney Phil (6/5), Without Conviction (6/4), Croagh Patrick (3/1), Asking For Answers (7/2), Breaking The Ice (11/2), Dolly Dancer (14/1)

PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL has made a solid start to life over fences and, having pulled clear with an upwardly-mobile rival at Worcester last month, Brian Ellison's charge gets the vote to double his tally in this sphere. Croagh Patrick opened his account over C&D back in March so he's fancied to give the selection most to think about on reappearance, with Breaking The Ice rounding off the shortlist.