15:30 Hexham

Monday 22 April 2024

All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:0517:35

Follow AtTheRaces On Twitter Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 7m 20.1s

Dynamite Kentucky^p⁴³²

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Dr R Newland & J Insole| OR: 100| BF| C| D

10/1

Dual hurdles winner who posted his best effort since switched to fences when second in a 6-runner Hereford handicap (25.2f, good) last February. Subsequent absence is a worry but an even bigger concern is the signs of temperament he showed both at Hereford and at Exeter on his penultimate start.

Form: 32/4P52-

Poetry Man^p⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Jonathon Bewley| T: G Bewley| OR: 94

7/1

Failed to trouble the judge over hurdles and offered little on first 2 starts in this sphere. However, he has taken steps forward with cheekpieces enlisted the last twice, latterly runner-up in a 5-runner Newcastle handicap (2½m, heavy), and this step back up in trip may work in his favour.

Form: 647P32

Torosay³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: S Mulqueen| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 88

5/1

Showed ability over hurdles last season and while she didn't take to fences initially, her efforts in small Newcastle handicap chases the last twice have been more like it. One to consider.

Form: 3-0P322

Don Brocco^p,t¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: William Maggs⁽⁷⁾| T: H Graham & G Rutherford| OR: 86| D

10/1

Hurdle winner but yet to get his head in front over the larger obstacles. Wasn't disgraced when sixth of 11 in a higher-grade handicap at Carlisle (24.5f, heavy) where he was 3 lb out of the weights but he's likely to find one or two too good all the same.

Form: 45P246

Ex S'elance^p⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: Roisin Leech⁽⁷⁾| T: V Thompson| OR: 83| C| D

16/1

Dual chase winner with quite a consistent overall record and he was runner-up in this race off 1 lb higher 12 months ago. However, he has failed to fire in 2 starts since the turn of the year.

Form: 12-34P8

Monaghan Boy^p,t⁵⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 81

9/2

Runner-up 3 times on the bounce prior to belatedly shedding his maiden tag at Sedgefield in February. 3 lb rise fair enough and he's not without each-way hope.

Form: 4-02221

Gibberwell^b³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Theo Gillard| T: J Coulson| OR: 81| BF| CD

8/1

Got off the mark over fences when landing this race last year. 6 lb higher this time round but has finished second all 3 subsequent trips to this course and it would be no surprise were he to give another good account.

Form: 2237P2

Derwent Dealer^p⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: C O'Farrell| T: D Brooke| OR: 80

14/1

Just modest in bumpers and over hurdles. Didn't fare any better switched to fences following a wind op at Sedgefield and it's easy enough to look elsewhere.

Form: 4P68-95

Ballynagran^t,v²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: B S Hughes| T: Miss J E Foster| OR: 79| CD

11/1

Notched second success when scoring over this C&D last May. Best effort since when second in a first-time visor at Wetherby (24.2f, heavy) where he was 5 lb out of the handicap, and a reproduction of that would put him firmly in the picture.

Form: PP7592

Cowboy Cooper⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: Craig Nichol| T: D W Whillans| OR: 76

9/2

Made the frame a few times over hurdles and positive start in this sphere when third in an 11-runner handicap chase at Catterick (25.2f, soft) in January). Little impact both subsequent appearances at Ayr, though, and he's now 0-12 overall.

Form: 6-33376

Forecasts

Cowboy Cooper (9/2), Monaghan Boy (9/2), Torosay (5/1), Poetry Man (7/1), Gibberwell (8/1), Dynamite Kentucky (10/1), Don Brocco (10/1), Ballynagran (11/1), Derwent Dealer (14/1), Ex S'elance (16/1)

It was a rocky start for POETRY MAN over fences but he now appears to be going the right way and is taken to go one better than at Newcastle where he shaped as though this step back up in trip would be in his favour. Ballynagran may not be one to set your watch by but a reproduction of his latest Wetherby effort would bring him squarely into the argument. Torosay has been knocking on the door and also merits respect, along with last year's winner Gibberwell.