16:30 Hexham

Thursday 16 March 2023

All13:5014:3015:1015:5016:3017:10

Download The N-E Bet App Today Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:30 | Winning time: 6m 46.3s

Mr Harp⁵²

Age: 10| Weight: 12-2| J: J M Quinlan| T: T Gallagher| OR: 107| D

11/2

Capitalised on a falling mark at Ffos Las (3m, soft) in January. Revels in the mud and he's going to have ground conditions to suit again. A 5 lb rise may not stop him.

Form: P4P-571

Our Sam^t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 12-1| J: Alan Doyle⁽⁵⁾| T: James Moffatt| OR: 106

14/1

Second over C&D (soft) in September and first outing since then when going one better at Carlisle (25f) last month. 6 lb rise demands more but he looks to be going the right way.

Form: 639721

Piaff Bubbles^h⁶¹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: R Menzies| OR: 105

4/1

Career best when winning 9-runner handicap hurdle at Wetherby (3m, soft, 3/1) 37 days ago, driven out. 6 lb higher now but further improvement may be forthcoming.

Form: 7-56251

One Fer Mamma^p²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽³⁾| T: Paula Smith| OR: 102

50/1

Successful over hurdles and fences last season. Resumed with an ecouraging third at Haydock in November but left Matt Sheppard after finishing fifth at Warwick in December and tailed off behind Our Sam on last month's yard debut.

Form: 121-357

Don Brocco^p³⁰⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Ryan Mania| T: H Graham & G Rutherford| OR: 102

28/1

Improved in cheepieces last spring, winning around 3m at Carlisle and at Ayr . Off since a lesser run at Perth in May so his peak fitness has to be taken on trust.

Form: 3F011-7

Shoeshine Boy⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Craig Nichol| T: D W Whillans| OR: 102| BF

8/1

Improved when switched to handicaps last term, runner-up 4 times on the bounce prior to deservedly opening his account at Ayr in April. Best effort so far this season when second to a progressive sort at Wetherby (3m, soft) over Christmas. Unseated early at Newcastle since.

Form: 21-032U

Lady Bowes^p¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: James Moffatt| OR: 100| C

20/1

Fair bumper/maiden hurdle winner who found just one too good in a Catterick handicap in January. Pulled up Ayr next time but latest sixth there shows she's still in reasonable form.

Form: 2F-P2P6

Lissen To The Lady^p¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Miss J Walton⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss S E Forster| OR: 93| D

20/1

Enhanced her fine Kelso record when landing third success last spring. Yet to score this term but had been performing well until a lesser effort last time. Not the type to stay own for long.

Form: 465330

Just Jess¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Ross Chapman| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 92| C

9/1

Unexposed as a stayer and confirmed more positive signs when doubling career tally at Catterick (25f) on New Year's Day. Creditable second of 7 back there 16 days ago. Another who can't be discounted.

Form: 9-03182

Kalaharry^p³⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 10-11| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 88| CD

28/1

C&D winner. Eleven runs since last win in 2021. 33/1 and cheekpieces on first time, sixth of 14 in handicap chase at Carlisle (24.5f, good to soft) 38 days ago. Switches from chase to hurdles.

Form: 3-P0666

Atomic Angel¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Sam Coltherd| T: S Corbett| OR: 87| CD

12/1

C&D winner who got her head back in front at Catterick (25f) in January. Respectable efforts on both starts since but her mark looks about right.

Form: 46P148

Pipers Cross²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: P W Wadge⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss S E Forster| OR: 84

16/1

18/1, only eighth of 11 to Shantou Moon in handicap hurdle at Kelso (23f, good to soft) 27 days ago. Others more persuasive.

Form: 164658

Lewa House⁶⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Bruce Lynn⁽³⁾| T: C Bissett| OR: 84| C

7/1

Winner over 2½m here in November. Good fourth of 9 in handicap hurdle at Ayr (21.5f, heavy, 9/1) 60 days ago. In the mix if stamina holds now stepping up in trip.

Form: 2-58164

Serious Mickey⁶⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 72WS

6/1

Took 5 attempts to get off the mark in Irish points. Didn't offer a great deal in 3 qualifyings runs over 2m but could fare better now handicapping over a much longer trip. Has had a wind operation. One to keep a close eye in the betting.

Form: P61-899

Oscar Blue^p²⁷¹

Age: 13| Weight: 10-2| J: Thomas Dowson| T: Mrs J C McGregor| OR: 68| C| D

200/1

Dual hurdles winner in 2015, but not much to report since.

Form: PP9/P-PP

Forecasts

Piaff Bubbles (4/1), Mr Harp (11/2), Serious Mickey (6/1), Lewa House (7/1), Shoeshine Boy (8/1), Just Jess (9/1), Atomic Angel (12/1), Our Sam (14/1), Pipers Cross (16/1), Lissen To The Lady (20/1), Lady Bowes (20/1), Kalaharry (28/1), Don Brocco (28/1), One Fer Mamma (50/1), Oscar Blue (200/1)

MR HARP revels in testing conditions so should be in his element here and can make light of a 5 lb rise for Ffos Las. Fellow last-time-out scorer Piaff Bubbles rates an obvious danger, while Lissen To The Lady is handicapped to get involved if shrugging off a below-par run last time. Nicky Richards' handicap-newcomer Serious Mickey would also come into it if the betting speaks in his favour.