Follow Hexham Racecourse On Facebook Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:30 | Winning time: 6m 9.20s

Grand Voyage^p¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 105| D

5/1

Off the mark at the second attempt in this sphere at Ayr in November 2022 but very few positives to take from his efforts this season. Now 14 lb below last winning mark but remains hard to fancy.

Form: 2-67P87

Return Fire^t³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: P W Wadge⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 104| CD

2/1

Made a winning seasonal return over C&D here in October and ran at least as well when third at Kelso the following month. Not quite in same form on next 2 starts, but wouldn't be ruled out if able to bounce back.

Form: 36-1354

Nights In Venice²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Henry Brooke| T: D W Whillans| OR: 101| D

10/3

Fair handicap hurdler built on an encouraging chase bow when getting off the mark in a 6-runner handicap chase at Ayr (20.5f, heavy) 25 days ago, Highly respected from 3 lb higher mark.

Form: 22-7641

Cudgel^p,t⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 10-12| J: C O'Farrell| T: J Walton| OR: 89| C

2/1

Dual winner over 2m here last spring and has been knocking on the door in search of this season's first success, filling the runner-up spot again over C&D (heavy) 8 days ago. Should go well again.

Form: 343422

Stowaway John^t⁴⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: S Mulqueen| T: Miss S E Forster| OR: 73

22/1

Long-standing maiden is opposable once more from out of the weights.

Form: 723-647

Forecasts

Cudgel (2/1), Return Fire (2/1), Nights In Venice (10/3), Grand Voyage (5/1), Stowaway John (22/1)

NIGHTS IN VENICE proved better than ever to shed his maiden tag at Ayr last month and, given his lack of miles on the clock as a chaser, is fancied to follow up. Cudgel has a fine course record and arrives in good nick, so clearly rates as the biggest threat, with Return Fire making most appeal of the remaining trio.