16:17 Hexham

Leg 1 Selections: Victorias Peak

An excellent opportunity for VICTORIAS PEAK to open her account. She was runner-up to Speech Bubble on hurdles debut on what was her only start for Milton Harris and will tackle opponents much easier in this race. 

There’s every indication she will develop into a useful sort in this sphere this season for the Twiston-Davies yard and it’s hard to see her getting beaten here. She is her rider and trainers only ride and runner on the card and is a worthy odds-on favourite in leg one. 

16:52 Hexham

Leg 2 Selections: Bird On The Wire

You Name Him’s winning sequence came to an end when runner-up last time when in search of a four-timer and he might have to fill the same spot behind BIRD ON THE WIRE here. The latter couldn’t land favouritism at Bangor back in July but he’s put together two solid efforts in defeat the last two times.

While he remains seven-pounds above his last winning mark, Theo Gillard offsets three of those pounds to make life a bit easier. He’s made the frame on both visits here over course-and-distance and could be tough to overhaul here in leg two, especially if granted a softish lead, which is highly possible. 

17:25 Hexham

Leg 3 Selections: Nibras Gold 

NIBRAS GOLD was decent on the Flat, winning twice and making the frame three times, and has made a good start to his hurdles career. He was beaten a length on his debut before going one better at Worcester next time. He was no match for Light And Strike at the same course last time but the winner is rated 130 and was getting four-pounds from the former. 

On that evidence, he’s extremely well-treated off 111 on handicap debut, while David Pipe sends him nearly three-quarters distance of the country to contest this race, which is roughly a 720 miles-plus round trip. This stiff two-miles should suit under an expected positive ride and he gets the vote to make the long trip to Northumberland worthwhile with victory under David Noonan.

17:55 Hexham

Leg 4 Selections: Bon Retour 

BON RETOUR was useful individual when formerly trained by Willie Mullins and she didn’t show much for this yard until bolting up with the minimum of fuss last time by fourteen lengths off a career-low mark. Although she’s gone back up nine-pounds, she remains nicely well-handicapped on the peak of her old form. 

The opposition look far from trustworthy on recent evidence, as they are all finding it difficult to get there head in front of late, so if Nicky Richards charge can match that latest decisive victory in this weak-enough race, she should be too good for this field under Sean Quinlan. I am sure connections will be left deflated if she cannot follow-up here. 

18:25 Hexham

Leg 5 Selections: Onward Route, Saint Arvans

ONWARD ROUTE is clearly rising through the ranks and has developed a nice-looking profile over hurdles. He has won two of his last three starts, including here back in June, and has the size, scope and potential to make an even better chaser. With a fluent round of jumping, he should go very well off a nice mark here. 

SAINT ARVANS hasn’t been at his best the last two times in deepish company, but he’s dropped a few pounds and won a pair of class-three events back in May/June, so this represents an ease in grade. Given his assured stamina over further, it would come as no surprise were he to regain the winning thread here. 

18:55 Hexham

Leg 6 Selections: Kauto D’Amour, Mah Mate Bob

The Sue Smith-trained KAUTO D’AMOUR was successful twice over hurdles off much-higher marks and while consistency isn’t his strongest point, he ran a good race to finish second last time and finds himself only three-pounds higher in this race, which is a drop in grade. Thomas Willmott takes off an additional five-pounds too.

MAH MATE BOB is clearly loving the game still at the age of ten for connections and arrives here in search of the hat-trick. He only scrambled home by a head last time but he’s likely to go forward again, which will suit around this course, as he’s ran well around here multiple times in the past. He should go very well.