15:45 Hexham

Tuesday 28 March 2023

All14:1514:4515:1515:4516:1516:45

Linda Elphicks 65th Birthday Celebration Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:47 | Winning time: 5m 38.40s

Petite Rhapsody¹⁸⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: P W Wadge⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 98| D

7/1

Off the mark under this pilot at Perth (20f) last April and made frame on 4 of next 5 starts at up to 3m last summer. Returns from a break with yard in good form, so no surprise to see a good showing.

Form: 1-22235

The White Volcano²²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-11| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Storey| OR: 95

66/1

Veteran who lost his way in Ireland and hard to derive any encouragement from his exploits upon joining present yard. Passed over despite sliding mark.

Form: P/00-680

Marty Time⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Ross Chapman| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 95

17/2

Beaten long way all 3 starts in novice hurdles but much more like it on first crack in handicaps when third in 8-runner Leicester handicap (20.5f) at the start of last month. Remains early days with him and possible he can step up further on that here.

Form: 7/4-7843

Cowboy Cooper⁸⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Craig Nichol| T: D W Whillans| OR: 87

9/1

Little impact in pair of bumpers and similar story in trio of novice hurdles at around 2m during second half of last year. Does now get a crack at handicaps at least back from a break and the longer trip could unlock progress.

Form: 76-565

How Much^p1³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr William Easterby⁽⁵⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 86

7/1

Has something to recommend him on pedigree but hard to draw a lot of encouragement from his exploits over hurdles to date, well held ninth in 11-runner Kelso handicap (22.7f) 39 days ago. Cheekpieces go on now.

Form: 0P4P9

Monaghan Boy²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: B S Hughes| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 83

9/2

Fair in bumpers but yet to show that form over hurdles, well held tenth in 12-runner Wetherby handicap (3m) 3 weeks ago. Booking of Brian Hughes catches the eye but he does need to step up if he's to open his account here.

Form: 6-87690

Lewa House^p1¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Bruce Lynn⁽³⁾| T: C Bissett| OR: 82| CD

11/4

Backed at long odds when successful over C&D in November but his record is a patchy one, not running to same level on 2 of his 3 starts since. Is now back down to last winning mark at least and first-time cheekpieces may put an extra edge on him.

Form: 581647

Golan Cloud^v⁵⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 82| CD

9/2

Gained second career victory over C&D in spring 2021. Has been very lightly raced since but did step up on his reappearance display when fourth in 13-runner Uttoxeter handicap (20f) 2 months ago and he's fancied to figure having eased further in the weights.

Form: 31/38-P4

Goodoldbill^p1³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: C O'Farrell| T: Mrs J Walton| OR: 82WS

14/1

Successful in Irish points but has failed to show much in handful of outings over hurdles, albeit shaping as if amiss when pulled up after 3 out on second start in handicaps at Kelso (22.7f) 39 days ago. Cheekpieces go on now following a wind op.

Form: 156-76P

Kilcaragh Boy^t³⁴

Age: 14| Weight: 10-2| J: Philip Armson⁽³⁾| T: R J Armson| OR: 68| CD

50/1

Veteran who gained sole British win over C&D in 2020. Ended last season with a couple of respectable efforts but well held both starts upon returning best part of 12 months off (losing action at Doncaster 5 weeks ago). Best watched.

Form: 0633-8P

Forecasts

Lewa House (11/4), Monaghan Boy (9/2), Golan Cloud (9/2), Petite Rhapsody (7/1), How Much (7/1), Marty Time (17/2), Cowboy Cooper (9/1), Goodoldbill (14/1), Kilcaragh Boy (50/1), The White Volcano (66/1)

C&D winner GOLAN CLOUD has been very lightly raced in recent years but he stepped up on his reappearance effort when third in a Uttoxeter handicap in January and, having eased further in the weights, he could be the answer to this tricky puzzle. The returning Petite Rhapsody and low-mileage 7-y-o Marty Time are others fancied to be in the mix.