UK Horse Racing Tips: Hexham

JOKER DE MAI may have finished second in each of his three races since he got off the mark over hurdles at Lingfield last December, but those runner-up spots were achieved in deeper races than he encounters on this occasion and the five-year-old is hard to oppose. As a dual winner in this discipline, the consistent Tedtwo picks up a double penalty yet still rates the biggest threat to the selection, although Clinton Lane is proven on deep ground and cannot be ruled out with conditions to suit.
Prediction : 1st Joker De Mai 2nd Tedtwo 3rd Clinton Lane

GANDHI MAKER impressed when making all at Sedgefield in January and, proven under testing conditions, the eight-year-old could again be hard to be beat off just a 5lb higher mark. The selection has switched yards to Philip Kirby since that latest success and looks to have been ideally placed to make a big impact for his new connections. Heritier is consistent and can ensure this is a good test, while Cudgel tends to go well at this venue and also warrants consideration.
Prediction : 1st Gandhi Maker 2nd Heritier 3rd Cudgel

Stablemates from the Lucinda Russell yard, She's Notjoeking and I WISH YOU, are hard to split on the form posted so far and each merits close inspection. Armed with a 7lb sex allowance, the former has a solid chance at the weights, especially when Patrick Wedge's 3lb thrown into the mix. However, the latter is more proven with juice in the ground and the son of Night Wish is fancied to confirm why he sets the standard on the official ratings at this stage. Briefly completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st I Wish You 2nd Shes Notjoeking 3rd Briefly

MONAGHAN BOY was last seen recording a determined success over 3m3f in the mud at Sedgefield. He won't mind the testing ground here and a 3lb rise may not be enough to halt him on that evidence. Dynamite Kentucky only found one too good off this mark over 3m1f at Hereford last time and he has winning course form to his name, so could prove the biggest threat, ahead of Torosay.
Prediction : 1st Monaghan Boy 2nd Dynamite Kentucky 3rd Torosay

Sue Smith won this contest in 2022 and she looks to have another strong hand in this year's renewal courtesy of PADDY O'MAHLER, who hinted his turn was near when a promising third off this mark in a similar event at Newcastle last month and that form has been franked the by winner scoring again since. Juge Et Parti is only 3lb higher than his C&D success in December and must be feared, while Blame Rose paid the price with her rating for her demolition job over 2m1f at Carlisle last month but ran well in a better race next time and remains a big player.
Prediction : 1st Paddy OMahler 2nd Blame Rose 3rd Juge Et Parti

Recent point-to-point winner Paramaribo shaped well in third off this mark on his return to hurdling in a similar event at Market Rasen 12 days ago, while C&D scorer Lewa House continues to slide down the ratings and looks feasibly treated now. However, preference is for MASTER BREFFNI, who was raised 7lb for getting off the mark over Carlisle's extended 2m3f last month but he won with a bit up his sleeve and could kick on following that confidence booster.
Prediction : 1st Master Breffni 2nd Paramaribo 3rd Lewa House

Hexham wouldn't be a course that immediately springs to mind as a target venue for Paul Nicholls but this could be an ideal piece of placement for STRATAGEM on just his second start back after wind surgery. Given the selection is already a dual winner in this sphere and should have benefitted from last month's Southwell return, it would be no surprise to see him shine in this company. Shanroe Street and Jerrysback complete the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Stratagem 2nd Shanroe Street 3rd Jerrysback

HOLLYGROVE CHA CHA got better the further she went on her racecourse bow in a similar race at Stratford last month and the four-year-old created such a favourable impression that a 7lb penalty is not enough to dissuade support in her bid to follow up. Point-to-point winner Squiggles is a notable Rules debutant to monitor in the betting, while Cusack Park rates the pick of the rest with bumper experience.
Prediction : 1st Hollygrove Cha Cha 2nd Squiggles 3rd Cusack Park