Horslyx Supporting Hexham Racecourse Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:16 | Winning time: 6m 3.34s

Boy De La Vis³⁷⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlotte Jones⁽³⁾| T: James Moffatt

5/1

Showed form in points and reasonable start under Rules when third in a bumper at Warwick for Robin Dickin in April 2022. Built on that when winning one at Newcastle (16.2f, good to soft) on debut for new yard last December and needs considering now upped in trip for this hurdles bow.

Form: 2F3/1-

Nearly Wed²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: T D Easterby

25/1

Runner-up twice in Irish points but shaped like a longer-term project when well held ninth on hurdles bow at Wetherby.

Form: P272/9

Rock Danse²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Daire Davis⁽⁷⁾| T: F O'Brien

7/2

Hinted at better to come at some stage on his belated Rules debut at Chepstow in October. Duly stepped up on that when finding just one too good in a 7-runner Uttoxeter maiden (2½m, heavy) last time and he remains open to improvement.

Form: F7/82

Rowdy Romeo²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr O McGill⁽⁷⁾| T: Caroline Mccaldin| OR: 111

11/8

Fair maiden hurdler in Ireland and wasn't disgraced when fifth in a big-field Navan handicap last month. Looks sure to be in the mix but perhaps vulnerable to one or two of the less exposed types.

Form: 523-U35

Samillier²⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Samantha & Jacqueline Coward

150/1

Ninth of 10 in bumper at Newcastle on debut/sole start for Mark Walford last December and hasn't shown much in 3 starts between the flags since.

Form: 9P4P-

The Village Way^t1¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Tristan Durrell⁽⁵⁾| T: D Skelton| BF

11/4

Half-brother to bumper winner/useful hurdler Crambo. Runner-up both starts in Irish points and well clear of the rest when runner-up at Wetherby (2m, heavy) a fortnight ago, leaving the impression that this stiffer test would be a catalyst for improvement. Good shout.

Form: 22-2

Non-Runners

Walk My Way²⁷

Weight: 10-11| Age: 5

T: Micky Hammond J: Emma Smith-Chaston

Forecasts

Rowdy Romeo (11/8), The Village Way (11/4), Rock Danse (7/2), Boy De La Vis (5/1), Nearly Wed (25/1), Walk My Way (100/1), Samillier (150/1)

THE VILLAGE WAY shaped as though in need of the experience when chasing home a race-fit rival at Wetherby on his Rules debut and, with that pipe-opener under his belt and this stiffer test sure to suit, he looks the way to go. Rock Danse gets the nod for forecast purposes ahead of Irish raider Rowdy Romeo and bumper winner Boy de La Vis.