Class 3 Handicap Hurdle | 2m4f28y | Good ground | 8 runners | 0-130

Race Assessment

Going Suitability

Good ground looks ideal for Passing Diamond, Well Educated, Miss Maverick and is perfectly acceptable for Perseus Way, who arrives after winning on both soft and good recently. Sunset Hill produced arguably her best good-ground hurdle effort over this C&D last time.

Field Size Suitability

An 8-runner handicap should suit most. Passing Diamond benefits from being able to dictate without too much congestion. Perseus Way and Johnson’s Blue are usually happiest when settling behind the pace.

Forecast Pace

The key angle.

Passing Diamond is a confirmed front-runner and has won his last two making all.

Sunset Hill often races prominently.

Johnson’s Blue and Perseus Way are usually ridden more patiently.

Well Educated tends to be held up.


There is a possibility that Passing Diamond and Sunset Hill force a stronger pace than ideal, which could set things up for a stalker.

Draw Bias

Not applicable over hurdles.

Pace/Track Interaction

Hexham’s stiff finish rewards horses that conserve energy. If the pace becomes contested, it enhances the claims of Perseus Way and Johnson’s Blue.

Class Suitability

Johnson’s Blue has been competing in stronger Class 2 and Class 3 races.

Perseus Way has already won this grade over C&D.

Passing Diamond is taking a notable rise in class on handicap debut but enters in form.


Track Suitability

Strong Hexham profiles:

Johnson’s Blue – four course wins.

Well Educated – four course wins.

Passing Diamond – two wins from two hurdle victories here.

Perseus Way – recent C&D winner.

Sunset Hill – two excellent recent C&D efforts.


Track form is a major factor in this race and should be weighted heavily.

Distance Suitability

Most are proven at around 2m4f.

Strongest:

Perseus Way

Passing Diamond

Sunset Hill

Johnson’s Blue

Well Educated


Temperament

Passing Diamond appears straightforward when allowed to lead.

Miss Maverick can pull hard.

Cannock Park has recent reliability questions after a lengthy absence.


Trainer & Jockey

Susan Corbett (Sunset Hill) is operating at 75% according to the racecard.

Tristan Davidson (Perseus Way) is 45%.

Ben Haslam (Passing Diamond) is 44%.

Mark Walford (Johnson’s Blue) is 43%.


No major negatives among the principal contenders.


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Have We Weighted The Race Correctly?

Yes, but three factors deserve extra emphasis:

1. Hexham course form


2. Likely pace shape


3. Current wellbeing



The market may focus heavily on handicap debutant Passing Diamond, but proven Hexham handicappers often retain an edge around here.

No non-runners noted from the card supplied.


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Runner Ratings

1. Perseus Way — 8.8/10

Progressive: p

Recent C&D winner and followed up on the Flat at Hamilton. Career-best spell of form. Pace setup could be ideal if the leaders force it.

2. Passing Diamond — 8.5/10

Promising: P

Unexposed handicap debutant. Two wins from two over hurdles at Hexham. Main concern is whether he gets an uncontested lead and whether this opening mark fully reflects his potential.

3. Sunset Hill — 8.1/10

Progressive: p

Excellent recent C&D efforts. Consistent and reliable. May again find one or two finishing stronger late on.

4. Well Educated — 7.9/10

Veteran who loves Hexham. Strong course record and arrives after another excellent run. Place claims look solid.

5. Johnson’s Blue — 7.8/10

Outstanding historical course record. Higher class form than many of these. Capable of bouncing back but now nine years old and needs to reverse recent form.

6. Miss Maverick — 6.5/10

Course winner and ran well in this race last year. Career-high mark and recent effort wasn’t encouraging enough.

7. Imperial Data — 5.8/10

Capable on his day and runner-up in this race in 2024. However, current form figures are poor and he has plenty to prove.

8. Cannock Park — 4.8/10

Promising: P

Long absence and difficult to know what remains of his old ability. Market support would be notable.


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Strongest Contenders

Perseus Way

Recent C&D winner, thriving, versatile regarding ground and likely to get a favourable race setup.

Passing Diamond

Handicap debutant with obvious upside. If securing a relatively easy lead he could take catching.

Sunset Hill

Ultra-consistent around Hexham and unlikely to be far away again.


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Main Dangers

Johnson’s Blue

Won four times at Hexham and was narrowly denied in this race last year from a higher mark.

Well Educated

Another course specialist arriving in good form.


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Interesting Outsider

Miss Maverick

Finished third in this race last year and has winning C&D form. Not impossible if bouncing back.


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Hold-Up Risks

Well Educated

Usually ridden patiently and could need gaps at the right time.

Perseus Way

Generally settles off the speed but the pace scenario looks favourable.


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Trends & Profile Notes

Course form is exceptionally strong among the principals.

Passing Diamond is making only his first handicap start, often a significant angle in races of this type.

Perseus Way arrives after hurdle and Flat victories.

Johnson’s Blue and Well Educated are proven Hexham specialists.

Market should be monitored closely for Cannock Park after 217 days off and any notable move for Passing Diamond on handicap debut.



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Private Tissue

Horse Tissue

Perseus Way 11/4
Passing Diamond 3/1
Sunset Hill 9/2
Johnson’s Blue 6/1
Well Educated 13/2
Miss Maverick 12/1
Imperial Data 20/1
Cannock Park 33/1



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Each-Way Angle

With 8 runners, standard three-place terms apply.

Well Educated appeals most as an each-way candidate. His Hexham record is excellent and his recent second suggests he remains very competitive from this mark.


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Summary

This looks likely to revolve around the pace. Passing Diamond should go forward but may not enjoy things entirely his own way. If the race develops into a proper staying test, Perseus Way is very well positioned to pounce late and arrives in the best form of his career. Sunset Hill is the dependable option, while Johnson’s Blue and Well Educated bring proven Hexham credentials.

ChatGPT Smart Plays

Win Selection

Perseus Way – thriving, recent C&D winner, favourable pace setup and still looks well treated despite the rise.

Each-Way Saver

Well Educated – exceptional course record, arrives in form and looks the most solid place proposition at the likely prices.