Hexham - Four staying chases

HEXHAM – Monday 19th April

Going – Good to Firm changed to Good to Soft from race 4.

Time constraints mean by observations are in quick note form.

2.30 3m 1f 0-99 Handicap Chase

1 PANAMA AT ONCE – back to form; confidence restored; on a very low mark of 87 here and may win again.
2 BENNY THE PILER – stayed on from three out; good sign for new stable; acts on fast ground.
3 ESME RIDES A GAINE – off bridle in rear most of the way; stayed on for third.
4 I’M YOUR MAN – went well until fading in the straight; needs things his own way.
5 SYCHO FRED – faded from two out.
6 FINBIN – no show and tailed off.
7 PRINCE OF SLANE – tailed off; out of form.
8 TORA BORA – prominent early but faded from fourteenth; seems a moody sort.
9 ANOTHER DARK RUM – staying on three out, weakened quickly form the bottom of the hill; may be a bit better long term.
P - CRACKADEE – pulled up twelfth and out of sorts this season.
P – COLDWELLS – rear until pulled up before last.
P – NORMINSTER – breathing problem; well out of sorts; Nixon stable in the doldrums.
P - PANTHERS RUN – rear from halfway and pulled up with a breathing problem.

3.00 3m 1f 0-97 Handicap Chase

1 COPPER’S GOLD – went on four out and clear last; good follow up to Musselburgh win off a break; goes well on fast ground.
2 GREENANDREDPARSON – outpaced three out but stayed on late; best effort to date.
3 TULLY HILL – close up to two out but tired from there.
4 SEEK THE TRUTH – weakened from two out; disappointing recently.
5 WINDY HILLS – weakened four out and tailed off.
UR – HASPER – feeling pinch when hit four out and unseated.
F – BARDOLET – midfield when fell twelfth.
P – KALMO BAY – held up and took no interest; pulled up before three out.
P – CASH ON FRIDAY – disappointing after last time; unpredictable.
P – OLD NODDY – disappointing back over fences.
P – ANOTHER CHARMER – never better than midfield; pulled up before four out.
P – WITNESS RUN – never going; pulled up twelfth; regressive.

3.30 2m 4 ½ f Class 4 Novices’ Hurdle

1 CHESTER LAD – confirmed promise here; came away flat to win very nicely; learning fast.
2 LAST OF THE BUNCH – kept on for second; jumped better.
3 DICE – held from the top of the hill; some promise.
4 COUNTY COLOURS – held in the straight; frustrating.


4.00 3m 1f 0-130 Handicap Chase

Decent event for a quiet Monday.

1 LEAC AN SCAIL – versatile and consistent; always prominent, led three out, held on bravely.
2 BAY CHERRY – steadily improving staying chaser; stayed on flat, just held; will win soon.
3 HARRY FLASHMAN – always prominent; stayed on flat, held; decent effort; chance if dropped in class.
4 CAST IRON CASEY – never quite get to leaders and held from three out; possibly better at shorter.
5 ZITENKA – lost touch from three out; all wins within 15 days of last run.
6 NEWMAN DES PLAGES – weakened three out; below form of late.
7 WAR FOOTING – never going; tailed off.
UR – MR POINTMENT – unseated at fourth.
P – REEL CHARMER – lost touch four out; disappointing; trainer felt race may have come too soon.
P – SEIZE –reported as not suited by the softened ground.

4.30 2m ½ f 0-112 Handicap Hurdle

1 HEAVENLY CHORUS – back to hurdling; closed two out and ran on to lead near line; trip over this stiff course suited.
2 MINI MINSTER – led or disputed all the way; denied close home; good effort and in good heart; good record at Hexham.
3 CHIP N PIN – every chance last, one pace; still a maiden and lacks finishing pace.
4 LADY SAMBURY –stayed on late for a well held fourth.
F – NEVSKY BRIDGE – covered up for a challenge when falling heavily at the last.

5.05 3m 1f Class 6 Hunters’ Chase

1 ELIZA DOALOTT – game mare; jumps well; led last and ran on well; good effort in decent event.
2 PEN GWEN – led or disputed most of the way; ran on; held by better opponent; in good heart.
3 SILVER SEDGE – held flat; another decent effort.
4 WILLYWONT HE – one pace form last; jumped better than previous Rules efforts.
5 AREYACODDINMEE – lost touch two out; found this too tough.
6 QUEEN OF DIAMONDS – weakened from the top of the hill.
7 ANSHAN SPIRIT – struggled form a mile out; reported as not handling the ground, though it’s been no problem before.

5.35 2m ½ f NH Flat

1 TIPTOEAWAY – good turn of foot in final two furlongs; impressive looking sort; should make a decent jumper.
2 MASTER MURPHY – led four furlongs out, kept on once passed; half brother to winning pointer.
3 NOBLE SCHOLAR – kept on; improvement on debut effort.
4 SHOOTING TIMES – one pace final two furlongs; will need a test of stamina.
5 JAGO RIVER – disappointing favourite; struggling from five out.