12:45 Hexham

Wednesday 13 December 2023

All12:1512:4513:1513:4514:1514:4515:20

Buttermere Handicap Chase

Off time: 12:45 | Winning time: 5m 55.63s

Noble Affair²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Mrs J Walton| OR: 100| CD

15/2

Opened account in handicap hurdle here in April and, after 5 months off, posted a good second back here in October. Well held next 2 starts, however, so bit to prove switched to fences.

Form: 81-4284

Carrigeen Castle³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 98

16/1

Just poor form over hurdles in Ireland and likely needed the run on first outing for new yard at Kelso on return. Ex-pointer who may do better in this sphere but others probably better handicapped.

Form: 07/P14-8

Torosay⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: S Mulqueen| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 96

7/1

Lightly-raced maiden who progressed with each start over hurdles last term. May have needed outing when eleventh of 19 in handicap at Carlisle on return and warrants respect on switch to chasing.

Form: 6543-0

Breeze Of Wind²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 84| BF

13/8

Didn't trouble the judge in a trio of runs over hurdles for Barry Murtagh but he's a point winner and showed a lot more on chasing/stable debut at Carlisle on return. Backed that up when 2¾ lengths second to Bebside Banter at Sedgefield and 3 lb better off with that rival here.

Form: 1705-32

Zara's Universe¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: J Kington| T: A Crook| OR: 83

25/1

Took a couple of handicap chases at the end of last season but had winning run ended at Newcastle in May. Probably needed the run back over hurdles after 6 months off at Sedgfield 2 weeks ago.

Form: 3311-78

Bebside Banter²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Danny McMenamin| T: C Grant| OR: 77

9/4

17/2, career best when winning 7-runner handicap chase at Sedgefield (heavy) on debut over fences 27 days ago by 2¾ lengths from Breeze of Wind, jumping well. Should go well again.

Form: 5PP-781

Monaghan Boy^t¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 76

17/2

Fair in bumpers but hasn't got anywhere near that level in 7 attempts over hurdles and little promise on chase bow/return.

Form: 69074-0

Non-Runners

Artic Mann³²

Weight: 11-12| Age: 9

T: N W Alexander J: Bruce Lynn

Forecasts

Breeze Of Wind (13/8), Bebside Banter (9/4), Artic Mann (9/2), Torosay (7/1), Noble Affair (15/2), Monaghan Boy (17/2), Carrigeen Castle (16/1), Zara's Universe (25/1)

BEBSIDE BANTER looked a natural over fences when beating Breeze of Wind at Sedgefield 4 weeks ago and he can confirm the placings despite a 3 lb swing. Artic Mann looks best of the others.