Racecards
15:35 Hexham
Metrocentre Handicap Chase (Class E)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m 4f 110y
- Going: Good, Good to Soft in places
Benrajah (IRE)
141- Form 4236-2P
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer M Todhunter
- Jockey G Lee
led, ridden and headed 2 out, one pace under pressure
Just Sooty
156- Form F55/21-3
- Age 9
- Weight 11-6
- Trainer N G Richards
- Jockey A Dobbin
tracked leader, led 2 out, stayed on strongly
- Form 50P40-6
- Age 11
- Weight 10-4
- Trainer R D E Woodhouse
- Jockey Jim Crowley
tracked leaders, outpaced approaching 3 out
- Form 332641
- Age 11
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer Mrs E Slack
- Jockey D C Costello
in touch, outpaced 3 out, kept on one pace from between last 2
- Form 2P0362
- Age 6
- Weight 10-0
pulled hard in rear, mistake 11th, weakened approaching 3 out
- Form P-4P1P3
- Age 10
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer Ferdy Murphy
- Jockey K Mercer
towards rear, never dangerous
In depth
Verdict
The presence of Benrajah ensures that only three of the six runners can race off their proper marks and the vote goes to Just Sooty, who is preferred to Lord of The Land. The last mentioned has more to do than when winning at Sedgefield last time, especially from 3lbs out of the handicap, but is at least in form. The same cannot be said of another 11-year-old Donnybrook although Bob Woodhouse's gelding has been dropped to a fair mark. Ferdy Murphy's Shays Lane faces a stiff task from 9lbs wrong and Premier Marble holds more solid claims, although Richard Guest's gelding is no better than plating class. With Benrajah normally needing a run to put him spot on, the vote goes to Just Sooty. The Nicky Richards-trained gelding looked progressive until disappointing when last seen at Wetherby in May. The break since will have done him the power of good and the nine-year-old is taken to resume winning ways.