UK Horse Racing Tips: Hexham

A competitive opener with marginal preference for KOPA KILANA. The seven-year-old went close to winning here last weekend when a head second and, with the handicapper leaving his mark unchanged, he could go one better. Malangen finds himself 3lb lower than when he scored at Perth last September and might emerge as the main danger. Of the remaining runners, last month's Cartmel winner Iolani has been raised 3lb for his head success, but cannot be discounted.
Prediction : 1st Kopa Kilana 2nd Malangen 3rd Iolani

Having finished a half-length second here 17 days earlier, BETTER BE DEFINITE made it two wins from his last three starts when successful by a short head over C&D last month. He was value for more than the winning margin suggests, so a 3lb rise in the handicap shouldn't prevent him from going close. Sam England's stable is in good form, with three winners this month, and his representative Jeteye may be worth a second look. Lady Hamilton shaped nicely when third here at the beginning of the month and could improve for the step-up in trip.
Prediction : 1st Better Be Definite 2nd Jeteye 3rd Lady Hamilton

Olly Murphy's only runner on the card THE FLYING POET looked in need of the experience on hurdles debut at Bangor last month, but shaped promisingly to finish fourth and any improvement could see him get competitive. Major Champion has undergone wind surgery since filling the third spot here 33 days ago and could give the selection the most to think about. Independent Jimmy is another to consider on the back of a fine second at Market Rasen.
Prediction : 1st The Flying Poet 2nd Major Champion 3rd Independent Jimmy

The Hughie Morrison-trained STUTI could be the answer to this tricky little race. Third at Market Rasen last time out, the seven-year-old has shown enough to suggest her turn might be near. Vanilla Dancer hasn't looked short of ability in three starts over timber and appears to be the main danger, while hurdles debutant Lathan could surprise a few if taking to this discipline for the Rebecca Menzies team.
Prediction : 1st Stuti 2nd Vanilla Dancer 3rd Lathan

Having scored a shade cosily at Southwell and Cartmel last month, Haarar makes his handicap debut in this sphere off what looks a workable mark. Sam England's charge is also a potential improver upped in distance and isn't taken lightly, but the course experience of IMPERIAL DATA may prove key. The seven-year-old looked set to complete a double over C&D recently but for idling late on, and a 5lb rise in the ratings may not be enough to prevent him getting back in the winning groove. Invictus World may chase the pair home.
Prediction : 1st Imperial Data 2nd Haarar 3rd Invictus World

The reapplication of blinkers and a drop in distance saw an improved performance from Going Mobile when he scored in some style over track and trip last week. However, the nine-year-old is effectively 11lb higher in the ratings here due to being 5lb out of the handicap. With that in mind, this could prove a suitable opportunity for CARCACI CASTLE to open his account over fences, with last month's Kelso fifth over hurdles likely to have put Sandy Thomson's gelding spot on for this. Grain D'oudairies is also noted.
Prediction : 1st Carcaci Castle 2nd Going Mobile 3rd Grain Doudairies

The fitting of a first-time visor appeared to eke out further improvement in BACKBYJET, who showed a willing attitude when scoring over C&D earlier in the month. A 4lb higher rating looks more than workable and the six-year-old is taken to follow up. The hat-trick seeking Elleon is also likely to prove popular, but a drop in distance and career-high mark may prove his undoing. Sam England's inmate still enters calculations, but a bigger threat may emerge from Hidden Commander.
Prediction : 1st Backbyjet 2nd Hidden Commander 3rd Elleon

TAKT DE TOUQUES arrives on the back of two bumper victories at Perth and a hat-trick could be on the horizon. The five-year-old looks more than capable of defying a 10lb penalty, particularly with a 7lb claimer on his back. The biggest danger is Born In The West, who offered plenty to work with when runner-up on his Rules debut at Newton Abbot recently, while market support for the Nicky Richards-trained newcomer Jehol De Thaix would be interesting.
Prediction : 1st Takt De Touques 2nd Born In The West 3rd Jehol De Thaix