Racecards
12:50 Hexham
Sharp Minds Winners Welcome Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Chase (Class E)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f 110y
- Going: Soft, Heavy in places
Huka Lodge (IRE)
196- Form 6FU12P-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer L Lungo
- Jockey G Berridge
held up in rear, mistake and reminder 7th, struggling when blundered and unseated rider 9th
- Form 01-1001
- Age 7
- Weight 11-9
mid-division, outpaced when blundered 10th, no danger after
- Form U26352
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
towards rear, pushed along 8th, outpaced when hampered 2 out, stayed on run in
Lochiedubs
192- Form 3165F-0
- Age 9
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Mrs L Normile
- Jockey D Flavin
tracked leaders, reminder 4th, pushed along 3 out, one pace from next
- Form 01452-3
- Age 8
- Weight 10-13
- Trainer Ferdy Murphy
- Jockey K Mercer
close up, led after 2nd, headed 7th, remained in touch, pushed along approaching 2 out, ridden to lead approaching last, kept on
- Form 0P42F6
- Age 8
- Weight 10-4
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey T Halliday
in touch, pushed along 3 out, close 5th, when fell 2 out
Polar Gunner
19- Form 4000/4-3
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer J Jefferson
- Jockey F King
mid-division, headway 7th, effort approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
- Form 241336
- Age 13
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer Mrs L Williamson
- Jockey D Laverty
led, headed after 2nd, led again 7th, headed approaching last, one pace under pressure
In depth
Verdict
Why The Big Paws gets the vote over Forever Eyesofblue and Huka Lodge, with Fashions Monty not out of things either. Why The Big Paws has major claims after her battling performance at Kelso last time when short-headed by Gargoyle Girl. Richard Guest's mare is a real stayer who has that bit of experience and also course form, having opened her account over fences here in May. That was on fast ground but she does go in testing conditions, and with her pilot claiming 10lbs she looks the one to beat. Forever Eyesofblue is another that will have no problems in the stamina department but he is making his chase debut here so may be best watched. Huka Lodge was pulled up with a slipped saddle on his last start at Perth and also has his first taste of the bigger obstacles. His trainer is a past-master at getting them ready though and he should give a good account. Polar Gunner did not shape too badly until falling at the last on his chase debut at Market Rasen, and will appreciate the drop back in trip, but Fashions Monty is very one-paced, and for the winner we return to Why The Big Paws.