17:25 Hexham

Tuesday 21 May 2024

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

Jayne Cragg 60th Birthday Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (Div 1)

Off time: 17:25 | Winning time: 6m 4.43s

Didnt Ask^t¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Conor Rabbitt| T: M A Barnes| OR: 98

13/2

Won the first of his 2 starts in points. Lightly raced over hurdles but showed more than previously when third on qualifying run in a C&D maiden 10 days ago. Tongue tie worn then retained for handicap debut and he's one to consider.

Form: 50/F2V-3

Kiss My Face^v¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr Dylan Johnston| T: B Ellison| OR: 93

9/2

Flat/hurdles winner who ran up to his best on the level when runner-up at Wolverhampton (16.5f) 2 starts back and not disgraced when sixth of 11 over 20f here 10 days ago. Return to further won't inconvenience him and respected from easing mark.

Form: 261/36-6

Better Be Definite¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Bruce Lynn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 89

13/8

Much improved away from testing ground when off the mark in 15-runner Ayr handicap (24.3f) in March and progressed further when runner-up over C&D 17 days ago, beaten only by one who got first run. High on the shortlist again.

Form: 7/8691-2

Reagrove Lord^t⁶⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Edward Austin| T: G Bewley| OR: 87

18/1

Placed in points in Ireland and not disgraced on each of his first 2 starts in handicaps in this sphere equipped with a tongue strap. Proved to be a disappointment when last of 5 in a C&D handicap in March but given a break since and the assessor is relinquishing his grip.

Form: 456435-

Bolt Man¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Joe Williamson| T: I A Duncan| OR: 79

20/1

Maiden who offered little back from 14 months off when eleventh of 16 in handicap hurdle at Kelso (20.9f, good) 13 days ago. Needs to step up considerably on that if he's to figure here.

Form: P6476/0

Just Call Me Al²⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 10-8| J: Charlie Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: G Boanas| OR: 78

11/1

Veteran who won 3 times in 2021/22 season. Drawn blank since but signs he can do something from his reduced mark when second over 3m at Musselburgh in December. However, been disappointing in 2 subsequent outings.

Form: 3P6269-

Dequall^b²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Peter Kavanagh| T: W Coltherd| OR: 75| C

8/1

It's been a while since he last hit the target and while his comeback effort following a lengthy layoff at Kelso in October was fairly encouraging, it's hard to get excited about what he's shown subsequently.

Form: 858968-

Court Case^p⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Aaron Anderson| T: R Menzies| OR: 74

28/1

Minor promise in bumpers but has offered little in handful of novice/maiden hurdles in recent months. Marked improvement required to figure on handicap debut.

Form: 3/3PP4P-

Buto^t,v¹⁰⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Alice Stevens| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 72| CD

7/1

Belatedly off the mark when landing this race 12 months ago and ran well from revised mark next 2 starts back here. Lightly raced since and he weakened out of things pretty quickly when last seen at Sedgefield (19.8f) in February. Return to better ground following a break could help.

Form: 132750-

Shoughall's Boy⁴⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Charlotte Jones| T: H Graham & G Rutherford| OR: 70| C

40/1

Dual winner here (20f) in 2021 but has largely struggled since, beaten some way out when sixth of 7 in handicap at Musselburgh (19.8f) in April. Passed over from out of the weights.

Form: 546P/P6-

Forecasts

Better Be Definite (13/8), Kiss My Face (9/2), Didnt Ask (13/2), Buto (7/1), Dequall (8/1), Just Call Me Al (11/1), Reagrove Lord (18/1), Bolt Man (20/1), Court Case (28/1), Shoughall's Boy (40/1)

BETTER BE DEFINITE showed improved form when opening his account at Ayr in March and took another step forward when runner-up over C&D 17 days ago, beaten only by one who got first run. Still lightly raced, he looks to hold sound claims again and earns the vote. Kiss My Face is still fairly lightly raced at this sort of trip and he's considered, with last year's winner Buto and Didn't Ask in the mix too.