18:58 Hexham

Tuesday 21 May 2024

All17:2517:5818:2818:5819:2819:5820:2821:00

Northumberland County Show. Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 18:58 | Winning time: 5m 21.09s

Hey Brother²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Craig Nichol| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 100

8/1

Runner-up in an Irish point before running to a fair level when making the frame both starts in bumpers. Cut little ice over hurdles, though, and there were few positives to take from his chase debut in a first-time visor (omitted here) at Huntingdon. First run for new yard.

Form: 43/0369-

Backbyjet¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: B Ellison| OR: 95

20/1

Overcame inexperience when springing a 25/1 surprise in 19f Catterick novice hurdle on New Year's Day. However, he hasn't come close to reproducing that level of form switched to fences the last twice.

Form: 51833-7

Shadows In The Sky^t,p⁶⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Danny McMenamin| T: C Grant| OR: 93

11/2

Point winner who failed to build on his promising hurdles debut last year and, similarly, he has taken backward steps subsequent to finishing third on his second start in this sphere at Musselburgh (23.6f, soft) in December. Looks vulnerable for win purposes.

Form: P/43P54-

Warriors Story^p¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Bruce Lynn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 93| D

9/4

Hurdles winner who went close on his second chase start at Ayr in December 2022. Disappointing next 3 runs in this sphere but latest third over C&D (soft) when returning from a break represented a step back in the right direction.

Form: P2/P46-3

Ring Pretender¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 85

9/1

Couple of fair efforts over hurdles in 2022 but she's yet to show any real spark in a handful of appearances in this sphere.

Form: 4485/0-8

Rory's Story^h¹¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Reed| T: T Davidson| OR: 84

10/1

Pulled up sole start between the flags and while she was placed on 2 of her 3 starts in bumpers, this 5-y-o hasn't pulled up any trees in several attempts over hurdles. Will need to improve for the switch to fences if she's to take this.

Form: 3479P4-

Edgewell¹⁹³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Ross Chapman| T: R Menzies| OR: 83

17/2

Modest form in bumpers and made little impact in a trio of maiden hurdles during the autumn. Hopes pinned on the switch to fences sparking a significant step forward.

Form: 93/557P-

Miss Wachit^b²⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: B S Hughes| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 79| D

4/1

Hurdles winner off a similar mark to this in 2022 and positive start over fences when runner-up at Southwell in July of that year. Has failed to build on that since (both in 3 subsequent chase starts and as many appearances over hurdles) but she's dangerous to discount off this career-low mark.

Form: 4R/4P45-

Forecasts

Warriors Story (9/4), Miss Wachit (4/1), Shadows In The Sky (11/2), Hey Brother (8/1), Edgewell (17/2), Ring Pretender (9/1), Rory's Story (10/1), Backbyjet (20/1)

With a dearth of credible candidates on show, WARRIORS STORY is much the most likely winner on the back of his creditable C&D effort 17 days ago when returning from a five-month absence. The 8-y-o has been eased a further 3 lb since and the drying ground will aid his cause. Miss Wachit and Shadows In The Sky can do battle for minor place money.