We have two runners at Hexham on Friday, for their first meeting of the 2024-2025 season, where the going is currently being described as good, good to firm in places on the home straight.
Balkotic returned from a three months break at Sedgefield 11 days ago when failing to get competitive on what was rain softened ground, so the forecast going here should be far more suitable. Balkotic is generally very consistent, and stays forever, so this stiff track will suit. He runs at 2.20.pm, in the 0-100 handicap hurdle, over two miles and seven furlongs, with his regular jockey Emma Smith-Chaston in the saddle.
Grand Du Nord is a bumper winner, and also has finished second on three occasions over hurdles. He returned from 11 months off the track in May where he made no real impression on his chase debut, and it was a similar scenario a month later at Hexham. Grand Du Nord is very well handicapped on his old form, so any return to near his best would see him being a danger to all. He runs at 4.05.pm, in the 0-100 novices handicap chase, over three miles, with Brian Hughes on board for the first time.
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Good luck to the connections, Raypasha, and Middleham Park & The Cheltenham Trail 7.
Grand Du Nord.
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