18:20 Hexham

Saturday 7 June 2025

All16:0516:4017:1517:5018:2018:50

Mrs C's Fabulous 50th Celebration Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 18:22 | Winning time: 4m 12.88s

Surrey Belle^t²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: B S Hughes| T: A Keatley| OR: 119| BF| D

1/1

Fairly useful winner on the Flat and has taken well to hurdles, landing the odds in mares' novice events at Uttoxeter (2m, heavy) and Newcastle (20.3f, good) prior to not giving her running on handicap debut. Bounced right back to form on the Flat since and worth another chance in a handicap hurdle.

Form: 22116-

Bashful^p,t⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Danny McMenamin| T: I Jardine| OR: 116| D

9/2

Landed double at Musselburgh/Kelso prior to running at least as well in bid for hat-trick when only finding a well handicapped one too good at Ayr in March. Far from disgraced in a competitive race at Perth last time. That could prove solid form and he can go well back down in grade.

Form: 551126-

Glory And Honour^p,t¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 115| BF| D

18/1

Versatile sort has been largely below form over fences of late, a disappointing favourite when fifth of 6 at Cartmel (17.3f, soft) 12 days ago. Needs to bounce back on first hurdles outing for over 2 years.

Form: 12726-5

Mack The Man^v²³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-3| J: Mr Kit Alexander⁽⁵⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 108| D

5/1

Veteran performed has slipped to a dangerous mark and confirmed himself to be very much in form when runner-up behind Just Dottie at Perth (16.2f) last month. Drops in grade and likely to be well positioned in race without much pace on paper. One to consider.

Form: 0P3P8-2

Book of Secrets³⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Leah Noreci⁽¹⁰⁾| T: James Moffatt| OR: 101

10/1

Shaped better than the bare result on stable debut when fifth in this race last year, too fresh to last home. Went a long way to confirming that promise when third in a valuable Cartmel handicap later that month. First time hood he wore now discarded and connections may have one eye on Cartmel.

Form: 2142/53-

Mojo Ego¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Charlotte Jones| T: James Moffatt| OR: 101| D

33/1

Yet to build on an encouraging stable debut at Cartmel in August, never travelling on return to that venue (following 4 months off) over a longer trip last time. Yet to show any sign of capitalising on his falling handicap mark but worth a market check nevertheless.

Form: 55087-0

The Navigator¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-9| J: P W Wadge| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 100

22/1

Veteran who bagged 3 more handicap wins in the first half of last season. Returned from a spell in the doldrums when third in a well-run race at Carlisle and ran to a similar level with fifth of 10 at Cartmel (22f) last time. Can be competitive back down in trip but others looks better handicapped.

Form: 79053-5

Hourless¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: Mr John Dixon⁽⁷⁾| T: J E Dixon| OR: 97| CD

10/1

Fair juvenile hurdle winner for Alan King. Offered some promise for current connections when third at Carlisle (19.3f) in April but failed to back that up in two starts from out of the handicap subsequently. Plenty to prove.

Form: 4763-64

Forecasts

Surrey Belle (1/1), Bashful (9/2), Mack The Man (5/1), Book of Secrets (10/1), Hourless (10/1), Glory And Honour (18/1), The Navigator (22/1), Mojo Ego (33/1)

Veteran MACK THE MAN still showed plenty of spark when runner-up in a higher grade at Perth last month and may be able to capitalise on his falling handicap mark back down in grade. Surrey Belle ran too badly to be true when sent off favourite for a valuable race at Kelso on handicap debut, and she's worth another chance having bounced back to form on the Flat, while Bashful was far from disgraced in a stronger race last time and cannot be discounted back in calmer waters.