17:00 Hexham

Saturday 4 May 2024

All16:2517:0017:3518:1018:4519:1519:5020:25

At The Races App Expert Tips Handicap Chase

Off time: 17:00 | Winning time: 5m 25.30s

Lights Are Green²¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Edward Austin⁽⁵⁾| T: G Bewley| OR: 96| C

12/1

Took well to fences last year, scoring over 3m here and at Cartmel at the start of the summer. Collared close home back at this course (again over 3m) when last seen in October and, with this drop back in trip no bad thing, he will be a threat if fully tuned-up.

Form: 327342-

Warriors Story^p,t¹³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Bruce Lynn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 96| D

14/1

Hurdles winner who went close on his second start in this sphere at Ayr in December 2022. However, well held all 3 subsequent starts over fences and now finds himself with a bit to prove.

Form: 2P2/P46-

Follow Your Arrow¹¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Jonathon Bewley| T: G Bewley| OR: 93| CD

22/1

Successful over C&D in June 2022 off a 7 lb higher mark but that's his sole win from 20 starts under Rules and, moreover, he needs to bounce back following a string of poor efforts.

Form: 365PPP-

The Paddy Pie³⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 92| CD

14/1

Hinted at a revival when fourth of 12 in a Doncaster handicap in December but followed that with heavy defeats at Catterick and Newcastle. Others preferred.

Form: P4P474-

Empty Nest^p1¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 89| BF

10/3

Still a maiden but it's early days for this 6-y-o and he's more than capable of picking up a race off this sort of mark judged on what he's shown in his 4 starts over fences. Idled in the closing stages when third of 11 at Kelso (21.6f, soft) recently and the addition of cheekpieces could help.

Form: 704333-

Ring Pretender⁸⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 89

4/1

Ran no sort of a race on handicap debut in this sphere back from a 13-month absence at Sedgefield in February. Best to look elsewhere.

Form: 44485/0-

Cudgel^p,t⁴³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlotte Jones⁽³⁾| T: J Walton| OR: 89| BF| C

8/1

This veteran is a regular here and he is clearly in good nick, finding just one too good on each of his last 3 starts (over this C&D the last twice). Current mark leaves minimal margin for error but he's a live each-way candidate in any case.

Form: 434222-

Heeztheboy⁷¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Craig Nichol| T: Miss P Robson| OR: 88| C

14/1

Offered little in a bumper/over hurdles but having attracted support, proved a different proposition sent chasing despite being 9 lb out of the weights when scoring over 15.5f here in December. However, he was beaten a fair way at Sedgefield last time and will need to put that firmly behind him.

Form: 96/61F6-

Stowaway John^t⁴³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: C O'Farrell| T: Miss S E Forster| OR: 84| CD

11/1

Finally opened his accout when proving 8½ lengths too strong for Cudgel over this C&D (heavy) last month. 5 lb rise demands more but should make his presence felt in any case.

Form: 23/6471-

Ex S'elance^p¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: Roisin Leech⁽⁷⁾| T: V Thompson| OR: 79| CD

12/1

Dual chase winner last spring, including over this C&D. No show all 3 starts since the turn of the year but the handicapper has shown mercy and he's therefore dangerous to discount.

Form: 2/34P87-

The White Volcano¹⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 10-10| J: Ross Chapman| T: W Storey| OR: 78

17/2

Both career wins gained over hurdles in Ireland back in 2019. Conversely, he has performed with credit at Carlisle and Kelso since returning from a break and he has to enter calculations.

Form: 4/8P424-

Halfway House Lad^t⁵⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Danny McMenamin| T: M A Barnes| OR: 73

14/1

Still looking for first success but offered more than previously when third of 9 in handicap chase at Musselburgh (20.3f, soft) in February. Poor at Catterick since, though, and the percentage call is to look elsewhere.

Form: 78243P-

Glory^b¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: Miss Alex Garven⁽⁷⁾| T: V Thompson| OR: 71

100/1

Point winner last February but record under Rules stands at 0-37 and he has been pulled up the last twice.

Form: 4/P47PP-

Forecasts

Empty Nest (10/3), Ring Pretender (4/1), Cudgel (8/1), The White Volcano (17/2), Stowaway John (11/1), Lights Are Green (12/1), Ex S'elance (12/1), Halfway House Lad (14/1), Warriors Story (14/1), Heeztheboy (14/1), The Paddy Pie (14/1), Follow Your Arrow (22/1), Glory (100/1)

Perhaps the first-time cheekpieces will help eke out a little more from EMPTY NEST and, if so, he could be the answer. The White Volcano is second choice, while Lights Are Green will have a fighting chance if close to his peak. The veteran Cudgel and Ex S'Elance are others to consider.