UK Horse Racing Tips: Hexham

A match race to kick things off and NERO ROCK should be able to notch a fifth career success, despite disappointing over 2m4f here last time. Dropping back in trip may help, as may the addition of first-time cheekpieces, and he is taken to see off Floating Rock, who is rated 13lb inferior. The latter has taken well to fences, though, and is unlikely to give his sole rival an easy time of things.
Prediction : 1st Nero Rock 2nd Floating Rock 3rd null

LADY BABS made an excellent return to action when runner-up over an extended 2m at Market Rasen last month and, with improvement expected, she makes plenty of appeal off a 2lb higher mark, particularly as top conditional Tom Midgley comes in for the ride. Major Snugfit finished third in that race and placed again over C&D eight days ago. Stable conditional Peter Coleman takes the ride on him and another solid run is likely, while Jack Yeats also demands respect following his head defeat here last time.
Prediction : 1st Lady Babs 2nd Major Snugfit 3rd Jack Yeats

Barney Stinson was touched off in a similar C&D event last time and he should remain competitive off a 3lb higher mark, while Melburnian also warrants respect having shaped with plenty of promise on her stable debut for Rebecca Menzies over 2m here earlier this month. However, WELL EDUCATED backed up his 2m course success when chasing home an in-form rival over 2m6f at Cartmel last time (first run for George Bewley) and he makes just about the most appeal in a competitive handicap.
Prediction : 1st Well Educated 2nd Barney Stinson 3rd Melburnian

THE VOLLAN returned to fences in style with victory at Southwell earlier this month and the eight-year-old is capable of backing that performance up off a 2lb higher mark. Prince Dundee filled the runner-up spot over C&D on his latest start and he is likely to enter calculations along with Amalfi Doug, who finished second at Perth when last seen.
Prediction : 1st The Vollan 2nd Prince Dundee 3rd Amalfi Doug

GRAND DU NORD ran on well to finish second over C&D last month following a wind operation and this appears to be a suitable opportunity for Micky Hammond's gelding to earn a first success over timber. Belvedere Blast shaped as though the extra couple of furlongs wouldn't inconvenience him when second at Market Rasen, while Silver Coin is likely to step forward from her hurdling bow at Uttoxeter.
Prediction : 1st Grand Du Nord 2nd Belvedere Blast 3rd Silver Coin

Winning C&D form counts for plenty at this unique track and FOLLOW YOUR ARROW gets the nod on the basis he was impressive when scoring by two lengths here at the beginning of the month. He is unexposed over fences and connections appear to have found their gelding another very winnable opening. The dangers are course scorer Dolly Dancer and Dinons, who shoulders top weight but comes here on the back of a decent Huntingdon second.
Prediction : 1st Follow Your Arrow 2nd Dolly Dancer 3rd Dinons

GONE IN SIXTY looks the one to beat in view of the fact he shaped with plenty of promise on his Southwell debut last month. He was sent off 25/1 that day so outperformed market expectations, but there didn't appear to much fluke about it and the race looked strong because Dan Skelton trained the winner and Nicky Henderson was also represented. He can prove too strong for Fenna's Loss and Ballyporeen.
Prediction : 1st Gone In Sixty 2nd Fennas Loss 3rd Ballyporeen