UK Horse Racing Tips: Hexham

THAT ONE is going the right way and looks worth sticking with. He made a winning handicap debut before going close over C&D last month and there should be more to come from James Walton's charge, especially now back in novice company. Young Getaway landed a maiden hurdle at Newcastle in good style and will likely prove competitive again. He is put forward as the primary threat, just ahead of another last-start maiden winner in Benmore.
Prediction : 1st That One 2nd Young Getaway 3rd Benmore

KIDMAN faced a tougher assignment at Kelso last time and will likely prove more at home in this grade. A respectable fourth at Newcastle in January on his first start over fences, he will be hard to keep out of the finish with a similar effort. Backbyjet is not badly treated off his current mark on the evidence of his victory over 2m4f here last autumn, while the veteran Fostered Phil returns to the larger obstacles with a shout.
Prediction : 1st Kidman 2nd Backbyjet 3rd Fostered Phil

SMART DECISION has now won two of his three starts over timber having scored at Carlisle last month. Tim Easterby's progressive juvenile may not have finished winning yet and is taken to defy a 10lb penalty. Popa Rich rates the main threat based on his decent third of three at Market Rasen, given the runner-up has subsequently boosted the form. Bohemond Antioch may prove best of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Smart Decision 2nd Popa Rich 3rd Bohemond Antioch

HALFWAY HOUSE LAD bids to complete a hat-trick and looks the most logical starting point. Having backed up a cosy triumph at Newcastle with a game all-the-way success over C&D last month, a new mark of just 79 looks highly workable for the Maurice Barnes-trained gelding. Fellow last-time-out track-and-trip winner Gibberwell is another must for consideration, despite running off 9lb higher. Thatsy and You Say Its Over make each-way appeal.
Prediction : 1st Halfway House Lad 2nd Gibberwell 3rd Thatsy

A close second over fences here last month, HALPHA SOLEIL won't need to raise his game by much to go one better, with a 4lb higher rating looking fair in the context of this race. Les's Legacy is another strong contender after a track-and-trip success and should go close if the tongue-tie and cheekpieces combination works as well second time around, although a 6lb higher mark demands more. Romeo Brown and Larkfield Lusive are other shortlist options.
Prediction : 1st Halpha Soleil 2nd Less Legacy 3rd Romeo Brown

LUNAR CONTACT may have disappointed when pulled up on his last two starts, but this represents an ideal opportunity on his first go for new connections. Ground conditions should be in his favour and the seven-year-old is preferred to C&D winner Deep Charm, who has been plying his trade in point-to-points of late. Placed on each of his last two starts under Rules and successful between the flags most recently, Cash Again cannot be ruled out either.
Prediction : 1st Lunar Contact 2nd Deep Charm 3rd Cash Again

JAPETUS displayed good improvement from his first to his second start when scoring comfortably at Newcastle and Nicky Richards' charge is likely to have plenty more to come, despite a 7lb penalty. Miss Mac hasn't shown much in two career outings at Ayr, but the switch to better ground and Brian Hughes taking over in the saddle could lead to a better display. Solal Nonantais is possibly the pick of the newcomers.
Prediction : 1st Japetus 2nd Miss Mac 3rd Solal Nonantais