Racecards
14:55 Hexham
Thornton Firkin Maiden Hurdle (Class 5)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m 7f 63y
- Going: Good (Good to Soft in places)
- Surface: Turf
- £4,500 added
- Winner: £2,924
- 2nd: £859
- 3rd: £429
- 4th: £215
- Form PF513
- Age 5
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer C Grant
- Jockey Craig Nichol
in rear, pushed along and outpaced from 2 out
- Form P-U484
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer G Bewley
- Jockey Jonathon Bewley
led, headed after 2nd, led again 2 out, ridden and pressed before last, soon headed, regained lead soon after last, kept on and held on near finish
Helmsley Lad
27- Form 4-22132
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 120
- Trainer J M Jefferson
- Jockey B S Hughes
with leader, led after 2nd, headed 2 out, ridden and weakened before last
- Form 56-F4
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer A C Whillans
- Jockey Steven Fox
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, pushed along 2 out, soon weakened
- Form P-63U47
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer D McCain Jnr
- Jockey Theo Gillard
towards rear, outpaced before 2 out
- Form 754
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer S R B Crawford
- Jockey G N Fox
in touch, headway to go 2nd before last and going well, led and mistake last, soon headed, kept on and held towards finish
In depth
Verdict
Helmsley Lad led for a long way at Sedgefield last month and will probably try and run the finish out of these. But the bumper winner is no world-beater and there was plenty to like about VICTORIA SAYS’ hurdling debut at Navan, where she stayed on strongly in the home straight having got outpaced. The finish here is a stiff one and that will suit Stuart Crawford’s mare, who has her allowance and also Ger Fox’ claim. Former pointers An Laoch and Right Of Reply will be better over fences and Classical Milano and Robert De Bruce have some improving to do.
Formwatch
An Laoch (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, driven to challenge 3 out, weakened next, 3rd of 4, 17l behind Ami Desbois (12-4) at Newcastle 2m 5f (4) gd in Apr.
Classical Milano (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden before 2 out, lost 3rd approaching last, no extra flat, 4th of 11, 17l behind Officer Hoolihan (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 3f (4) gd in Apr.
Helmsley Lad 11-8 (11-2) Led, mistake 5th, ridden and headed 2 out, soon beaten, one pace, 2nd of 3, 15l behind Bordeaux Bill (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) gd in Mar.
Right Of Reply (IRE) 6-1 (12-1) Cl up, 5th aftr a mile & 3rd 6out, 5th & rddn bef 5out, fair 6th but btn 2out, ko onepcd, 4th of 14, 9 1/4l behind Earlshill (12-1) at Dromahane 3m mdn gs in May.
Robert De Bruce (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Tracked leader until before 2nd, stayed handy, not fluent 4th or 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, last of 7, dist behind Indian Brave (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (5) sft in Apr.
Victoria Says (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Soon mid-division, moderate 11th after 4th, some headway but no impression from 3 out, moderate 6th approaching last, kept on without threatening run-in, 4th of 20, 6 3/4l behind Our Valentina (11-7) at Navan 2m mdn hvy in Apr.
The Delray Munky 6-1 (10-7) In touch chasing group, lost place before 6th, soon behind, headway under pressure before 2 out, ridden and stayed onto take 2nd towards finish, not reach winner, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Midnite Grace (10-7) at Kelso 2m 2f mdn (5) sft in Apr.