Hexham - Ladies' Day

HEXHAM – Sunday June 20th

Going – Good to Firm (Good in places)

A large attendance was in evidence as Hexham’s Ladies’ Day closed activities at High Yarridge until October.

3.30 2m 4 ½ f Class 4 Novices’ Chase

FLYING DOCTOR has been in rattling good form over hurdles and carried that forward to his chasing debut. Given that his hurdles wins have been over longer distances this win is all the more creditable. It’s worth noting that the second and third have fair performances in their recent record. Flying Doctor came clear after being ridden up the hill and looks likely to score again.
DIAVOLERIA was outpaced on the downhill run to three out but stayed on again from two out.
ALWAYS BOLD was under pressure and held by the top of the hill. He could well benefit from a step up in trip.
MISS SUNFLOWER moved into midfield down four out but couldn’t make any impact.
Wining pointer DOUGALL was never dangerous on his Rules debut, while another point winner FLAG HILL plugged on past a couple late on but was well beaten.
Poor performers SHORT STRAW and NAUGHTY DIESEL trailed in at the rear.
GUNNER SNOW jumped slowly and lost touch from the ninth, being pulled up before three out.

4.30 3m 1f 0-112 Handicap Chase

SIMPLY SMASHING won the four miler here in March. He then disappointed in softened ground at Perth before running below par off a slow pace last time. The pace was generous here and Simply Smashing was detached by the tenth. What he does do is keep staying on though and getting in touch up the hill he came away to win with a bit to spare. This ground suits him just right.
HARRY FLASHMAN ran a creditable race, taking the running up at the tenth and seeing off all bar the winner by the last.
VON GELEN disputed two out from which point he was held. He’s not the most reliable though a previous run good run at Towcester suggests he’s favoured by a stiff finish.
SYCHO FRED made progress to chase the leaders three out but could make no further impact. Not a bad run from ‘6lbs wrong’ but he’s not easy to win with.
EXECUTIVE’S HALL had a chance three out but was held form two out. He’s stoutly bred, got competitive for a way here and as a six-year-old has time on his side. He might just be worth keeping an eye on in his next few runs.
ESME RIDES A GAINE is unreliable and took little interest on this occasion, though picking off a few late on.
TOULOUSE EXPRESS needs to dictate and soon lost interest once it was clear he couldn’t get to the front. It’s doubtful he’d stay this distance anyway.
TEENANDO faded from the thirteenth and his good 2008/09 form is a distant memory.
LINDSEYFIELD LODGE lost his rider as the runners approached the tape.
CHERNIK had made progress to four out and had every chance when unseating three out. NILE MOON was another in with a chance, but made a pig’s ear of the same fence and was pulled up before the next having lost his action.
TULLY HILL led early and was still in touch when pulling up rapidly going up the hill for the final time. He was dismounted and since there was no report made on the BHA website I can’t confirm if he suffered injury. I hope that no news is good news.
THE GREEN HAT was outpaced going to four out, weakened and was pulled up before the last.
OUR JIM raced prominently early but lost his position before halfway and was pulled up before fence thirteen.

WEETFROMTHECHAFF won the opening two mile novice hurdle, but it looked a poor contest. MWALESHI was well touted but pulled too hard and may produce better if he learns to settle.
MAJESTIC MAYHEM’s win in the closing novices’ hurdle looks decent with a hurdles winner and a fair chaser in behind. He stayed on strongly and has more in the tank, with a move up to three miles likely to pay dividends.
CROSBY JEMMA was nudged out to win the 0-113 handicap hurdle, but she is likely to struggle when moved up the weights. CELTICELLO was second but is a weak finisher and the third DAYTIME DREAMER is no better than ordinary, though he may benefit from the outing after a break.