UK Horse Racing Tips: Hexham

Conor Rabbitt helped get the best out of Wee Alki over the extended 2m7f here, with the six-year-old deservedly breaking through. BUZZ ICECLEAR also drops in distance on the back of a first victory, but there may be slightly more substance to his Ayr defeat of a Gordon Elliott raider and, as that was his handicap debut, he potentially has more scope for improvement. Palm Beach is another to arrive on the back of a win, although that came back in July and he has swapped stables since.
Prediction : 1st Buzz Iceclear 2nd Wee Alki 3rd Palm Beach

Hourman was beaten less than a length into fourth in a bumper here last month, which just about sets the form standard, but it is interesting that Derek Fox sports the JP McManus colours on his stable companion LIKE MINDED. The four-year-old is from the family of Irish National winner Thunder And Roses and was bought for 47,000 euros last year. Count Adhemar has shown some ability at Ayr and he rounds out the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Like Minded 2nd Hourman 3rd Count Adhemar

HENRI THE SECOND's previous crack at fences didn't go at all well, but he has since developed into a smart handicap hurdler and had wind surgery during the summer. He is bred to come into his own in this sphere and his trainer has won with four of the five previous runners he has sent to Hexham. Ayiko signed his off last campaign with a fine third in a Listed novice handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse and is an interesting recruit to chasing. King Of Answers should do better having finished last of five on his chasing debut over 2m4f here.
Prediction : 1st Henri The Second 2nd Ayiko 3rd King Of Answers

BETTERFOREVERYONE accounted for Shighness over C&D in March before picking up where he left off at Bangor on his return. The latter was out of her depth at Listed level recently but is weighted to reverse the form, although Alan King's gelding still looks worth sticking with. Fairlawn Flyer has risen through the handicap ranks since embarking on a winning spree at Market Rasen in March, but he needs to find a bit more now and Wal Buck's might be a bigger threat.
Prediction : 1st Betterforeveryone 2nd Shighness 3rd Wal Bucks

Those near the top of the handicap should garner the most attention and it looks best to side with HEEZTHEBOY. Gary Hanmer's charge returned with a facile C&D triumph before finding only a chasing debutant too strong at Uttoxeter, and a further 2lb rise might underestimate him. King Of Cong is expected to benefit from a drop in trip and could be thereabouts, while Lewa House is also noted at a venue where he has run well previously.
Prediction : 1st Heeztheboy 2nd King Of Cong 3rd Lewa House

Dan Skelton has his string in fine fettle and Worcester winner Trigg could go close under a penalty, although the placed horses haven't really been able to frank the form so it could pay to side with TEA BOY. Peter Atkinson doesn't have many in his care but that hasn't stopped him so far this season, sending out four winners from eight runners. His representative was beaten on debut by one who went on to contest a Grade 2 at Cheltenham last weekend and looks up to this. No Walkover is another to note.
Prediction : 1st Tea Boy 2nd Trigg 3rd No Walkover