Racecards
13:50 Hexham
Tote Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle (Class D)
- 18 Runners
- Distance: 2m 110y
- Going: Soft, Good to Soft in places
- Form 21210-P
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer Ferdy Murphy
- Jockey N Mulholland
held up towards rear, headway 6th, chased leaders 2 out, kept on, never nearer
Dancing Bay
284- Form 2F/1410-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey Andrew Tinkler
mid-division, mistake 3rd, headway 6th, stayed on to lead approaching last, ridden out
Ontos (GER)
18- Form 33434-5
- Age 7
- Weight 11-9
chased leaders, outpaced 2 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before last
- Form 1F-13
- Age 4
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer J Jefferson
- Jockey G Lee
held up in rear, some headway after 6th, no chance when mistake last
- Form 2P-3660
- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
behind from 6th, tailed off
Alam (USA)
20- Form 2211-66
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer P Monteith
- Jockey K Renwick
mid-division, mistake 3rd, headway 2 out, kept on approaching last, not reached leaders
- Form 10P/0
- Age 8
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer James Moffatt
- Jockey Jim Crowley
led until headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
- Form 213-602
- Age 4
- Weight 10-9
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey P Madden
chased leaders, ridden and lost place 2 out, weakened last
Feanor
116- Form 013125
- Age 5
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer Mrs S Watt
- Jockey Miss T Jackson
raced keen in mid-division, headway 6th, joined leaders 2 out, ridden and kept on on pace flat
- Form 0-60440
- Age 8
- Weight 10-4
- Trainer Mrs A Naughton
- Jockey Mr O Nelmes
mid-division, ridden 2 out, never nearer
- Form 6/143-54
- Age 7
- Weight 10-2
- Trainer K Morgan
- Jockey P J Brennan
chased leader to 6th, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
Kharak (FR)
45- Form 1324-60
- Age 4
- Weight 10-2
- Trainer Mrs S Bradburne
- Jockey M Bradburne
mid-division, headway 5th, led approaching 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra flat
- Form 2-53311
- Age 4
- Weight 10-1
behind and mistakes, never a factor
Skenfrith
22- Form 525332
- Age 4
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer Miss S Forster
- Jockey Mr C Storey
always behind
- Form 430440
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer Miss Kariana Key
- Jockey D McGann
in touch, driven along 4th, lost place 6th, soon well behind
In depth
Verdict
A tough contest to call for punters with many of the runners closely matched on their best form, but the principles look to be Uptown Lad, Dancing Bay and Calatigan, and the tentative vote goes to the in-form Uptown Lad. The 4-year-old from the Bob Johnson yard has found his form with a vengeance of late winning his last two races in good style, although his latest victory over Bergamo was only a short head. He is taken to defy another hike in the weights off what still looks a handy mark. Dancing Bay is a rare runner on this track from the Nicky Henderson yard and although the colt was disappointing in a class B handicap at the end of last season, it would be no surprise to see him return to the winnner's enclosure in this easier grade. Calatigan is one of the least exposed in the field but although he is weighted to defeat the selection, he is a free-going sort and he will have to settle better if he is to turn the tables. Rising Generation and Bushido are others that look to be on fair marks in this wide open affair but we will stick with the progressive Uptown Lad.