Racecards
21:15 Hexham
Countryside Alliance Handicap Hurdle (Class E)
- 4 Runners
- Distance: 2m 110y
- Going: Good to Firm
- Form 2202/51
- Age 5
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer M Dods
- Jockey R Garritty
tracked leader, ridden to lead approaching last, hard ridden flat, headed towards finish, no extra
- Form 00-26
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer N G Richards
- Jockey P Robson
held up, headway approaching 2 out, challenging on bit when hit last, soon ridden and stayed on under pressure to lead towards finish
- Form 650-615
- Age 11
- Weight 10-9
led, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra flat
Chain Line
107- Form 0FPPPP-
- Age 13
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer J Aynsley
- Jockey C McCormack
pulled hard, tracked leaders, lost place 5th, outpaced next, soon tailed off
In depth
Verdict
Copplestone ran a cracker in defeat on the flat this week and if he has not felt too many exertions for that run, he has a fair chance in this trappy contest. Celebration Town and Gone Too Far representing the most creditable opposition. Copplestone's best form over hurdles has come in plating grades. He is now off a mark of 95 and a career best effort will be needed in order to land tonight's finale. Gone Too Far landed a weak Amateur's race last time out and has been penalised 8lb for that success. It is worth remembering that he was very disappointing on debut at Perth and backers will need to take it on trust that he has shown actual improvement since dropping back in trip. Celebration Town is selected as the most likely winner. Nicky Richards' charge loves the ground and can be forgiven his most recent effort at Perth when he made a bad mistake and was not knocked about afterwards. Paul Robson gets on well with the gelding and the combination should not be opposed. In Good Faith rarely wins and is always one to oppose. Chain Line will need divine intervention if recent form is anything to go by. To conclude, we suggest that Celebration Town is the one to beat in a tricky finale.