18:58 Hexham

Tuesday 20 May 2025

All17:5818:2818:5819:2819:5820:2820:58

Port Of Blyth Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 18:58 | Winning time: 5m 16.04s

Royal Deeside¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Harry Reed| T: P Morris| OR: 87

12/1

Stepped up on his low-key chase debut when third off 11 at Market Rasen (17f, good to soft) in January (final start for Alan King). Has found life tougher in caried events for current yard and it's probably best to look elsewhere.

Form: 36P357-

Rock N Roll Champ⁵⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Craig Nichol| T: Miss S E Forster| OR: 83

6/1

Modest form at best over hurdles for this yard. Has a point background so it's possible he'll fare a bit better over fences.

Form: 6/86P45-

Time Was^p¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Joe Williamson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 82

11/2

A winning pointer but still a maiden under Rules. Creditable third of 4 at Huntingdon (3m) 12 days ago and this drop back in trip a plus if anything. Also has cheekpieces refitted.

Form: 25288-3

Am Still Here^p¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR: 82

10/11

Runner-up in 2m handicap hurdle here in March and bettered that form when filling the same position on his C&D chase debut 17 days. Good chance he can go one better now.

Form: 6/9202-2

Deep Strato^t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 79| D

10/1

Maiden who was beaten just over 20 lengths when fourth at Carlisle (21f) on his completed start over fences. Still relatively early days but he'll need an improved effort to come out on top.

Form: 05/4PP4-

Iturgeon Du Breuil^p¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Lorcan Murtagh| T: F P Murtagh| OR: 72

7/1

Poor maiden who ran with credit when fourth of 9 in 23f course handicap hurdle 17 days ago. Pulled up in his 2 previous chases.

Form: PP0P5-4

Chantilly Rose^t1,p³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽³⁾| T: Lizzie Quinlan| OR: 71

33/1

Poor maiden hurdler/chaser. Well held in 3 hurdles since joining this stable and it remains to be seen whether a return to fences makes any difference. Has a first-time tongue tie added to refitted cheekpieces.

Form: 43F005-

Non-Runners

Classical Sting¹³⁸

Weight: 12-0| Age: 5

T: L Morgan J: Lewis Dobb

Forecasts

Am Still Here (10/11), Classical Sting (5/1), Time Was (11/2), Rock N Roll Champ (6/1), Iturgeon Du Breuil (7/1), Deep Strato (10/1), Royal Deeside (12/1), Chantilly Rose (33/1)

This looks a decent opportunity for AM STILL HERE to go one place better than on his recent C&D chase debut. Handicap chase newcomer Classical Sting would be a possible threat if the betting speaks for him, while Time Was should also be competitive back down in trip.