Racecards
15:10 Hexham
Great North Run Handicap Hurdle (Class 4)
- 13 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f 110y
- Going: Good to Firm, Good in places
- Surface: Turf
Willies Way
29- Form 88721-6
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 106
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey D Elsworth
led, headed 4th, remained in touch until weakened 2 out
- Form 111-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-11
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer N G Richards
- Jockey A Dobbin
held up in rear, headway 7th, effort between last 2, one pace run-in
Italiano
7- Form P53F-67
- Age 7
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 102
- Trainer P Beaumont
- Jockey A Ross
mid-division, headway and in touch after 6th, ridden 3 out, no impression
- Form 13P-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer M D Hammond
- Jockey N Mulholland
chased leaders, headway to chase leader approaching 2 out, soon ridden, one pace approaching last
- Form 13674-6
- Age 12
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 97
- Trainer J I A Charlton
- Jockey B S Hughes
in touch until ridden and weakened after 3 out
- Form 2212-F2
- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 96
- Trainer P C Haslam
- Jockey P Merrigan
held up in rear, headway 2 out, led approaching last, stayed on strongly
- Form 250000-
- Age 10
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 95
- Trainer Mrs S C Bradburne
- Jockey M Bradburne
towards rear, never dangerous
- Form 0855-64
- Age 8
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 93
was towards rear, headway 7th, ridden 3 out, one pace from next
- Form 82756-1
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 92
- Trainer Mrs A Hamilton
- Jockey P Kinsella
chased leaders, disputed lead 4th to 6th, dropped rear next, soon lost touch
- Form 0/P4241-
- Age 7
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 92
- Trainer J M Jefferson
- Jockey T J Dreaper
chased leaders, disputed lead 4th to 6th, lost place next, tailed off when pulled up after 2 out
- Form 58957-7
- Age 9
- Weight 10-8
- Official Rating 88
- Trainer J S Goldie
- Jockey R McGrath
towards rear, outpaced 3 out, headway under pressure between last 2, faded run-in
Hapthor
10- Form 5P35-36
- Age 7
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 85
- Trainer F Jestin
- Jockey T Messenger
towards rear, headway and close up 5th, led 7th, headed approaching last but kept on same pace
- Form 6790-
- Age 7
- Weight 10-4
- Official Rating 84
- Trainer Ferdy Murphy
- Jockey G Lee
in touch, headway to lead 5th, headed 7th, weakened approaching 2 out, behind when pulled up before last
In depth
Verdict
Another tough race to call here for punters with many in with chances on their best for but the principals look to be Lahib The Fifth, Oscar The Boxer and High Country and the tentative vote is given to Lahib The Fifth. The selection is unbeaten to novices hurdle to date. enters handicaps off what looks a fair mark and if he is fit after a 284 day absence he will be hard to beat. Oscar The Boxer rates the main danger as he won well last time when beating Another Superman. However this looks more competitive and his penalty may find him out. High Country would be a danger to all on his best form but he disappointed for no apparent reason last time so he can not be put forward with any confidence. Lord On The Run remains well weighted over hurdles compared to fences but he was beaten last time out and again he looks opposable. Of the remainder Willies Way is from a yard in top form and should be noted in the market despite top weight but for the winner we return to the unexposed Lahib The Fifth.
Formwatch
Willies Way 15-2 (10-12) Tracked leader, joined leader 4th, led 9th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 12, 22l behind Enhancer (11-10) at Southwell 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in May.
Lahib The Fifth (IRE) 4-6fav (11-5) Held up and keen, hampered 1st, tracked leaders 3rd, went 2nd after 3 out, left in lead next, ridden out, won at Perth 2m nov hdl (E) gf in Aug beating Skiddaw Jones (10-9) by 3l, 8 ran.
High Country (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (11-12) Mid-division on inside, hit 6th, ridden to chase leaders after 4 out, weakened next and pulled up 2 out in race won by Qualitair Pleasure (11-7) at Doncaster 3m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gd in Nov, 15 ran.
Lord On The Run (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Held up, headway on inside to lead 2 out, headed before last, ridden and one pace flat, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Random Native (11-1) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in May.
Ramblees Holly 8-1 (10-6) In touch, lost place from 7th, 4th of 9, 19l behind Michaels Dream (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in May.
Primitive Poppy 8-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, pushed along after 7th, outpaced 3 out, rallied approaching last, stayed on strongly to lead run-in, won at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in May beating Hello Baby (10-4) by a nk, 12 ran.
Oscar The Boxer (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) With leaders, led 7th, ridden 3 out, blundered last, kept on, won at Ayr 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Feb beating Another Superman (11-6) by 1l, 17 ran.
Topwell 9-2 (11-0) In touch, blundered 4th, ridden and not much room on bend after 2 out, stayed on to take 2nd final 100 yards, 2nd of 10, 9l behind Nounou (10-7) at Cartmel 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in May.