14:45 Hexham

Friday 3 October 2025

All14:1014:4515:2015:5316:2717:0217:37

Martin Bowler Memorial Novices' Limited Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 5m 32.10s

Theatre Light¹³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: S Corbett| OR: 94

22/1

Irish point winner who made a promising start over hurdles after 17 months off when second in a maiden at Carlisle (19f, good) in April. Rather disappointing in 2 subsequent starts, though, and she needs to get back on track.

Form: P21/27-5

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Mini Mario³³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-10| J: Charlie Hammond| T: S Edmunds| OR: 94

11/1

Shaped better than previously in this sphere when fifth of 8 in novice hurdle at Worcester (2½m, good) in August. Possibly found drop back to 2m against him at the same course next time and worth a second look now moving back up in trip for this handicap debut.

Form: 0-58U54

Cap Ricochet¹⁷²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: B S Hughes| T: John Dawson| OR: 91

9/2

Bettered his previous efforts when chasing home longs odds-on winner Smart Decision in a juvenile event here (16.2f, good) on final run for Paul Collins in April. This stiffer test may well help unlock a bit more on this handicap/yard debut and he's one to consider.

Form: 475U62-

Devon Skies²¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Joe Williamson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 85

22/1

howed some respectable form in maidens early last season, but she was pulled up both starts in handicaps following a break and resumes here from a 7-month absence with a fair bit to prove.

Form: 4234PP-

You Did²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Craig Nichol| T: B Ellison| OR: 83

10/1

Was beaten a long way when placed both completed starts in points and well held in 3 qualifying runs over hurdles around 2m this summer. Showed a bit more upped to a similar trip on handicap bow at Sedgefield, though, and it wouldn't be the biggest of surprises if he were to build on that here.

Form: 32-8556

Slemish^p³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: L Horsfall| OR: 83

4/1

Took a significant step forward with cheekpieces enlisted and upped to 19f for his handicap debut at Fontwell in August, finishing a clear second in that 12-runner contest. 5 lb rise tolerable and he should make a bold bid to go one better here.

Form: 5880-2

King Coconut¹¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 79

5/1

Looked in need of experience in maiden/novice hurdles at up to 19f at Carlisle this spring, but improvement was not forthcoming on his handicap debut at Perth in June when pulled up before the second-last.

Form: 9P5-P

Longstone Cowboy^h²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Charlie Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: H Burns| OR: 76

13/2

Maiden pointer who showed ability in maiden/novice company in 2022, but very lightly-raced since and he was never in the hunt back from 15 months off at Perth.

Form: 3FP/09-9

Blended Stealth^p¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Peter Kavanagh| T: Lizzie Quinlan| OR: 75| C

16/1

Refitting of cheekpieces and a more positive ride worked the oracle when finally opening his account here in May. However, the lack of enthusiasm he has previously exhibited was again in evidence back from a break at Kelso recently and others look more solid.

Form: 816259

Didntgotwenty²⁰⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Sean Quinlan| T: M Todhunter| OR: 75

5/1

Lightly-raced sort who posted his best effort when fourth of 8 in handicap hurdle at Musselburgh (23.8f, good to soft) in February. Returned with an irregular heartbeat when down the field at Ayr the following month, so that run can probably be overlooked. Not discounted.

Form: 487747-

Woody's Boy^p¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 74

14/1

Remains a maiden after 9 starts over hurdles and the addition of cheekpieces failed to trigger a step forward at Kelso recently. Others preferred.

Form: 7-95747

Non-Runners

Ascension Day¹⁶

Weight: 11-3| Age: 8

T: B Haslam J: R P McLernon

Ebony Jade¹⁵³

Weight: 11-0| Age: 7

T: R Potter J: Mr D McGill

Forecasts

Slemish (4/1), Cap Ricochet (9/2), Didntgotwenty (5/1), King Coconut (5/1), Longstone Cowboy (13/2), You Did (10/1), Mini Mario (11/1), Woody's Boy (14/1), Blended Stealth (16/1), Theatre Light (22/1), Devon Skies (22/1), Ebony Jade (25/1), Ascension Day (33/1)

Having raised his game when finding just one too good on his handicap debut at Fontwell, SLEMISH looks the way to go. That was his first run following a six-month break, so he's entitled to come on for it and a 5 lb rise looks manageable. Cap Ricochet may have more to offer now venturing down the handicap route himself and is next on the list ahead of You Did.