Racecards
15:20 Hexham
Sharp Minds Phone 0870 9080 121 Handicap Hurdle (Class F)
- 11 Runners
- Distance: 2m 110y
- Going: Soft, Heavy in places
Silken Pearls
229- Form 4110/P-
- Age 8
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer L Lungo
- Jockey G Berridge
held up in rear, headway after 2 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on well run in to lead near finish
- Form 342F/0-3
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer Andrew Turnell
- Jockey A Dempsey
mid-division, mistake 3 out, headway next, soon ridden and effort, no extra run in
Spainkris
240- Form 040460-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer M Todhunter
- Jockey A Dobbin
held up in mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden to lead approaching last, headed towards finish no extra
Stormy Beech
196- Form 00150P-
- Age 8
- Weight 11-5
held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
- Form 610/0-3
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer K Reveley
- Jockey Jim Crowley
towards rear, pushed along 3 out, headway under pressure between last 2, stayed on same pace
- Form 050036-
- Age 8
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer Miss S Forster
- Jockey Mr C Storey
led, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
- Form 1005-40
- Age 5
- Weight 10-11
- Trainer F Murtagh
- Jockey B P Harding
tracked leader, led approaching 2 out, soon headed, weakened quickly
- Form F-00
- Age 5
- Weight 10-7
- Trainer J Howard Johnson
- Jockey G Lee
in touch, pushed along and headway 2 out, ridden and effort approaching last, one pace run in
- Form 130442
- Age 9
- Weight 10-6
- Trainer Miss Kate Milligan
- Jockey D C Costello
in touch, out paced after 3 out
In depth
Verdict
Tender Touch can beat Black Bullet, with The Names Bond and Time Marches On others worth a mention. Tender Touch catches the eye here due to his light weight and the fact that he has already been successful over the course and distance in the past. Kate Milligan's nine-year-old is only plating class but seems better suited to the smaller obstacles and is much better handicapped than in his younger days. A fair second to Wally Wonder at Sedgefield last time, he should go well. Black Bullet is interesting on his return to action after falling at Punchestown in 2003. He is obviously going to need the run but should be kept in mind when put back over fences. The Names Bond should come on for his third at Haydock but Time Marches On made too many mistakes on his last start at Carlisle. Tender Touch is no world-beater but should have the measure of this lot in a weak contest.