Slogging through the Hexham mud

Hexham - November 21st

Going- Heavy(Soft in places)

The going was heavy once again and it's probably no bad thing that the track gets a three month rest after the pre-Christmas meeting.

A weakly contested juvenile hurdle was won very comfortably by KEALSHORE AGAIN. He did precious little wrong, but his three opponents either were struggling in the mud or just not good enough.

The beginners' chase might prove a significant contest,and there may be a future winner or two from it.
HIGHRATE was a convincing winner, staying on much too well for the rest. His best runs to date have been in the mud and he can score again in similar conditions.
BRANDON THOMAS showed some promise in bumpers but had not quite clicked over hurdles. Setting the pace here, he saw off all bar the winner by the straight, but couldn't muster another effort once passed. This was a decent start over fences and he should pick up a chase before long.
MILANO MAGIC was dropping a mile and a quarter for his chasing debut. Niggled at from halfway, he never got near the leaders but stayed on from two out. The experience will help and he will show more once upped significantly in trip.

The novices' hurdle form doesn't look the most reliable with a disappointing DOTTIE'S DILEMA splitting 125/1 chance GYMDOLI and 150/1 chance LOGICAL APPROACH.
I did hint in the past that LOGICAL APPROACH might be capable of winning a race. Much depends on how the handicapper views this race, as his stuck to his guns down the straight if just outpaced after the last.
Previous winner BONNIE BURNETT, rated 107, was a shade disappointing back in fifth, though two hard races might just have taken the edge off her. She can be given another chance if given a rest.

LEAC AN SCAIL was all out to win the four miler, but he does well round here and his record reads U22111, significantly better than his efforts elsewhere.
The seven-year-old OVERYOU has proved quite decent in these stamina tests and was closing at the line. He should win a similar contest this winter.

RUPERT BEAR still has something in hand of the handicapper it seems, winning the closing handicap hurdle with a bit to spare. He jumps big and looks all over a chaser in the making.