We have a massive eight runners at Hexham on Tuesday evening, where the going is currently described as good, and they are watering to maintain.
Buto is first up at 5.50.pm, in the 0-100 conditional jockeys handicap hurdle, with Emma Smith-Chaston riding him for the first time. Buto showed his first signs of form for us on his fifth try at Hexham 54 days ago when finishing fourth on heavy ground, this faster surface could suit better, and he races from a 4lb lower mark.
We are doubly represented at 6.50.pm, in the 0-100 novices handicap chase over two miles and four furlongs. Trevelyn's Corn has yet to get his head in front for us, but has finished runner up on three occasions. Those races were run on a much softer surface than now, but his one previous race on good going saw him finish an excellent fourth at Ascot back in 2018, he will once again be partnered by Emma Smith-Chaston.
Bulldoze is the other representative in the race. This will be his first start in 418 days, so he is entitled to need it. He has finished runner up in two of his four previous starts for us, and drops in to 0-100 handicap company for the first time, on ground he will have no problem with. He will be ridden by Conor O'Farrell for the first time.
Considering Applaus didn't put in his best round of jumping last time, he did very well in the circumstances to finish third. He has on the whole been very consistent this season, having won twice, and also finishing runner up twice. He remains 5lb above his last winning mark, and once again will be partnered by Josh Thompson taking off 10lb. He goes to post for the 7.20.pm, a 0-125 handicap hurdle over two miles and four furlongs.
Kildrum is becoming somewhat of a Hexham specialist, having won twice here, most recently by 25 lengths, which saw the handicapper raise him 11lb. His latest second placing over this course and distance suggests the handicapper now has him about right. Kildrum who will run in a first time visor, is no certainty to appreciate this much faster surface' The race is a 0-105 handicap chase, over three miles, with Emma Smith-Chaston retaining the ride.
We are doubly represented at 8.20.pm, in the 0-110 handicap chase, over the extended one mile and seven furlongs. Bandit D'Ainay ran well on his penultimate start at Hexham in March, but in a first time visor, which is retained, back there 29 days ago, he failed to get competitive, At 12 years old he isn't getting any quicker, and this faster surface could make life even more difficult. He will be partnered by his regular jockey Emma Smith-Chaston.
Our other runner in the race is Onenightintown, who is returning from a 173 day break. Onenightintown who will have no problem with the surface, will have to race from 4lb out of the weights, so realistically he will need a new personal best to take this, but with five of the 10 runners out of the weights, the task may not be quite as difficult as at first glance, he will be partnered by Conor O'Farrell for the first time.
Belle Na Bann is our final runner on the card at 8.50.pm, in the 0-100 handicap hurdle over two miles, where he will have the services of Joshua Thompson, who was also on board at Catterick in January when the horse finished second from 1lb higher than now. Apart from her latest start at Market Rasen, where the race probably came too soon, Belle Na Bann has been consistently running well, and will have no ground issues.
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Good luck to the connections, Oakwood Racing, Mr & Mrs D Lees J Kaye & D Pollitt, RM&T Holdings Limited & Partners, Mrs Gemma Hogg, T M Clarke, The Golden Cuckoo, The Rat Pack Racing Club, and Ms D Morley, S Dobson & Partner.
Belle Na Bann.
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