13:40 Mon 24 April 2023

HEXHAM RACECOURSE WELCOMES RACING TO SCHOOL ‘NATIONAL HUNT’ NOVICES’ HURDLE (4)

Distance 2m 48y

Prize £4,901 Age 4yo+ Race State Declaration Runners 11

Going Soft (Good To Soft In Places)

1. Eclair D’Ainay (Odds: 6/4) – Jockey: Tristan Durrell, Trainer: Dan Skelton
2. Bingoo (Odds: 11/4) – Jockey: Charlotte Jones, Trainer: James Moffatt
3. Rock Hurley (Odds: 9/2) – Jockey: Brian Hughes, Trainer: Donald McCain
4. Bella Bliss (Odds: 5/1) – Jockey: B. Hayes, Trainer: John McConnell, Ireland

Eclair D’Ainay is a very useful triple chase winner with a peak RPR of 151. Despite not being at his best over fences last time, he remains a major player in this race, as he is lightly raced over hurdles and took advantage of a golden opportunity in a novice hurdle at Market Rasen last month.

Bingoo has a 3-7 record, with all of his wins gained at Hexham, including two hurdle events over C&D in soft/heavy conditions this season. He is open to more progress back in a novice event and should be respected, despite carrying a double penalty.

Rock Hurley had two impressive wins on soft ground in France before being bought for 125,000 euros. He was a well-backed favourite in his stable/handicap debut at Bangor but faded to a well-held fourth of eight. He is still lightly raced and could be a key player if he returns to his best form, although he has something to prove after his last run.

Bella Bliss enters the reckoning based on her easy win in a Cartmel novice last summer, but she has not performed well in her last three runs and needs a major revival to be competitive in this race.

In conclusion, Eclair D’Ainay seems to have the best chance of winning, with Bingoo and Rock Hurley also strong contenders. Bella Bliss could potentially run well if she can return to her earlier form, but she has some questions to answer at this stage.

16:20 Mon 24 April 2023

MARQUEE HANDICAP (5) (D.I)

Distance 1m 3f 99y

Prize £4,187 Rated (0-70) Age 4yo+ Race State Declaration Surface Turf Runners 9

Going Soft

1. Warhol (Odds: 5/2) – Jockey: Neil Callan, Trainer: George Baker
2. Lawn Ranger (Odds: 7/2) – Jockey: Robert Havlin, Trainer: Michael Attwater
3. Vissani (Odds: 4/1) – Jockey: Ben Sanderson, Trainer: Ian Williams
4. God Of Thunder (Odds: 11/2) – Jockey: Pat Dobbs, Trainer: Richard Hannon

Warhol, a maiden who ended last season with an improved effort on heavy ground, turned in a solid comeback over 1m2f at the same venue last Monday. The longer trip in today’s race is in his favour, as would be any additional rain. He is a strong contender for the win.

Lawn Ranger secured his fourth 1m2f course win last Monday, enjoying his favoured soft ground and leading the race. Although he has a 4lb penalty to handle over today’s longer trip, he should be considered for his consistent performance.

Vissani has generally struggled for his yard but is now on a competitive mark and has been showing more on the AW lately over shorter trips than ideal. There are possibilities for him to perform well in this race.

God Of Thunder had a promising start in handicaps last summer but then levelled off. He has since been gelded and will need to show improvement after seven months off.

In conclusion, Warhol appears to have the best chance of winning, with Lawn Ranger and Vissani as strong contenders. God Of Thunder could potentially run well if he can demonstrate improvement after his break.

16:50 Mon 24 April 2023

RACING TV NOVICES’ HURDLE (4)

Distance 2m

Prize £4,357 Age 4yo+ Race State Declaration Runners 9

Going Good

1. Russian Ruler (Odds: 11/8) – Jockey: Nico de Boinville, Trainer: Nicky Henderson
2. Kitesurfer (Odds: 7/2) – Jockey: Daryl Jacob, Trainer: Harry Whittington
3. Alien Storm (Odds: 5/1) – Jockey: Bradley Roberts, Trainer: Charlie Longsdon
4. Red Windsor (Odds: 6/1) – Jockey: Mr Freddie Gordon, Trainer: Chris Gordon

Russian Ruler is the leading contender in this race, with a comfortable win in a Newbury handicap last month, making up for a late fall in a previous attempt. If he can maintain the same form, he has a strong chance to win.

Kitesurfer is an intriguing contender, having recorded a win in a 3yo hurdle at Vichy last May in his sole French run. Open to progress and making his British debut, he should be watched closely, especially if there’s market confidence.

Alien Storm has shown his best form when winning at Plumpton and finishing second over C&D in the autumn. With better ground forecasted, he has possibilities to perform well.

Red Windsor has been consistent and comes off a creditable third-place finish in a Fontwell handicap. While he’s only raced on left-handed tracks, he should be fine going clockwise, having jumped right on occasions.

In conclusion, Russian Ruler is the top pick for the win, with Kitesurfer a potentially strong contender. Both Alien Storm and Red Windsor could run well and should be considered when making your selections.

19:10 Mon 24 April 2023

RACE & STAY FILLIES MAIDEN

Distance 1m 2f

Prize €12,500 Age 3yo Race State Declaration Surface Turf Runners 10

Going Yielding to Soft

1. Boogie Woogie (Odds: 6/5) – Jockey: Ryan Moore, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Ireland
2. Azazat (Odds: 7/4) – Jockey: C. D. Hayes, Trainer: D. K. Weld, Ireland
3. Scarlett O’Hara (Odds: 6/1) – Jockey: Shane Foley, Trainer: Mrs J. Harrington, Ireland
4. High Chieftess (Odds: 10/1) – Jockey: Seamie Heffernan, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Ireland

Boogie Woogie has shown solid efforts in previous races and finished second on her seasonal debut at Leopardstown. She handled testing conditions well and has a strong chance to win, potentially upholding form with Azazat.

Azazat had a promising debut at Curragh last autumn and was a beaten favourite on her seasonal debut at Leopardstown. She is closely matched with Boogie Woogie based on their recent performance, making her a strong contender for the win.

Scarlett O’Hara has shown promise in her sole run at two, finishing sixth. She may get closer to Boogie Woogie this time, and the trip should suit her well. She is a potential candidate to perform well in the race.

High Chieftess, a Galileo filly out of a Cheveley Park winner, has competed in two strong maidens last season. With normal progress, she is capable of getting into the mix and running well.

In conclusion, Boogie Woogie is the top pick for the win, closely followed by Azazat as another strong contender. Both Scarlett O’Hara and High Chieftess have the potential to run well and should be considered when making your selections.

19:55 Mon 24 April 2023

RACING TV OPEN HUNTERS’ CHASE (5)

Distance 2m 4f 110y

Prize £2,566 Age 6yo+ Race State Declaration Runners 6

Going Good

1. Espoir De Teillee (Odds: 4/5) – Jockey: Miss Fern O’Brien, Trainer: B. F. Brookhouse
2. Diligent (Odds: 7/2) – Jockey: Mr Charlie Sprake, Trainer: Mary Sanderson
3. Gaboriot (Odds: 9/2) – Jockey: Miss Alice Stevens, Trainer: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Espoir De Teillee has been useful in the past and opened his hunter chase account in February. His subsequent odds-on defeat is better than it looked on the day, and the winner of that race franked the form next time. Espoir De Teillee is a strong candidate for the win and should be respected.

Diligent is a multiple winner over jumps in 2021 and 2022. His best effort in hunter chases this year was when he finished second to a notable rival at Wincanton. He was behind Gaboriot at Ludlow last time and will now compete without his usual hood. Diligent is a solid contender in this race.

Gaboriot scored five times over hurdles/fences in France and has shown potential in hunter chases for his new yard. He finished in front of Diligent at Ludlow most recently and has clear possibilities if he builds on that respectable effort.

In conclusion, Espoir De Teillee is the top pick for the win, with Diligent and Gaboriot also having strong chances to run well in the race. Keep an eye on these three contenders when making your selections.