December 07 / 13.40 Hexham

13.40

Soft

In Celebration Of Lee Rickard-Graham Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £4084.5
  • 2m 4f 15y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
SKY
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In Celebration Of Lee Rickard-Graham Handicap Chase

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

Form: 437-3P CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Beaten favourite here on reappearance, then something looked amiss back over hurdles last time; won this race comfortably (off 3lb lower) last year and has a good chance if back in the same form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

16th Mar 2024

Heavy

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

15:47 Newcastle

Without Conviction

12st 0lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

3m chase winner on good last spring; last two efforts have been well below par but she is now well treated on form earlier in the season; bit to prove but no surprise if she bounces back.

10/1

7th

1

18th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 7f 138y

Class 5

14:15 Musselburgh

Without Conviction

12st 0lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

3m Ayr winner last March and runner-up twice over about 2m5f/2m4f in the autumn; needs to bounce back from a heavy defeat at Kelso on latest outing and now has cheekpieces first time; more appeal than most.

9/2

7th

9

14th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 4

13:50 Kelso

Without Conviction

11st 2lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Runner-up twice in a row in the autumn (C&D/2m4f, good/soft) before fair fourth of five here (3m2f, soft), when not quite seeing out the trip; every chance she'll be in the mix now back down in distance.

15/2

OUR TIP

Form: 67-448

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Not entirely solid on his chase form, including here this season, and failed to beat a rival back hurdling last time; however, can't be dismissed off a reduced mark dropped in class.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

24th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 218y

Class 4

16:05 Carlisle

Lovely Moon

10st 10lb

J: Edward Austin

T: George Bewley

9yo who is on a reduced mark but his form in 2022 was pretty patchy and he's been absent since; probably best watched on his comeback.

33/1

8th

8

30th Oct 2022

Soft

2m 1f 33y

Class 4

14:58 Carlisle

Lovely Moon

11st 2lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

hung left throughout, prominent, weakened 3 out

13/2

Form: 55P-64 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Chase winner in Ireland; 0-5 for current yard but latest effort (2m7f) was quite encouraging and this drop back in trip looks ideal; not without a chance off this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

24th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

15:25 Hexham

Castlegrange

10st 8lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Katie Scott

Only win came in Ireland two years ago and he's generally struggled in Britain including in his two runs (2m4f, heavy) after wind surgery this spring; mark continues to fall but is easy to have reservations.

25/1

4th

3

29th Mar 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 19y

Class 5

14:25 Newcastle

Castlegrange

10st 12lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Katie Scott

Only win came in Ireland two years ago; flashes of form in Britain but was pulled up behind Lisloran at Ayr in December and again at Hexham recently, after wind surgery; too many doubts.

20/1

9

16th Mar 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

17:10 Hexham

Castlegrange

11st 0lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Katie Scott

Ex-Irish; strike-rate of 1-24; these conditions suit (only win was over 2m4f on heavy) but hasn't been at his best this season; blinkers now replace cheekpieces; others stronger.

25/1

Form: -35P32 CD

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 4lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
In decent form, having been placed at Sedgefield (hurdles/fences) the last twice; remains well handicapped, having defied a 12lb higher mark over C&D in March 2021; everything looks in place for a big run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

14th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

16:48 Hexham

Cash Again

11st 12lb

J: Miss Becca Shepherd

T: Miss Becca Shepherd

Proved a reliable sort without winning over hurdles and fences last summer before landing a point last month; this course winner is one for the shortlist.

13/2

3

14th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

16:48 Hexham

Cash Again

11st 12lb

J: Miss Becca Shepherd

T: Miss Becca Shepherd

Proved a reliable sort without winning over hurdles and fences last summer before landing a point last month; this course winner is one for the shortlist.

13/2

Form: P8-22F CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Has plenty of form at this venue, including four wins (last one came off 6lb higher); has form figures of 22F (all here) this season, falling three out most recently (1m7f); likely player with a clear round.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

13th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 65y

Class 4

14:20 Sedgefield

Graystown

10st 4lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Stuart Coltherd

Hexham specialist who was runner-up there on consecutive outings in the autumn (2m4f/1m7f); versatile regarding ground and has the services of Brian Hughes today but his record at this track is not persuasive.

10/1

5

16th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

1m 7f 133y

Class 5

14:53 Hexham

Graystown

10st 11lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

Unable to land the same C&D event for a third straight year last month (soft; took C&D record to 102312), but winner and fourth each scored next time; near-miss over 2m4f here the time before underlines his present wellbeing, and remains 5lb below his last winning mark; player.

9/4

Form: 1138-7 C

Last run: 46 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Dual 2m4f hurdle winner here last term, including off this mark on this card; well beaten over 2m7f at Kelso on chase/seasonal debut; likely to fare better in this optimal-looking scenario.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

9th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

17:55 Perth

Shoughalls Boy

10st 2lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: Gary Rutherford

Comes here badly out of sorts, tried blinkered when pulled up (for the third start running) over C&D in July; it's easy to look elsewhere.

50/1

10

4th Jul 2024

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

16:50 Perth

Shoughalls Boy

10st 2lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: Harriet Graham & Gary Rutherford

took keen hold, raced in second

33/1

8

1st Jun 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

18:35 Hexham

Shoughalls Boy

10st 2lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: Harriet Graham & Gary Rutherford

Dual C&D winner in November/December 2021 (good to soft/heavy); rather disappointing since and probably best watched despite tumbling handicap mark (4lb wrong here).

33/1

Form: 5260-4 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Distant fourth over an inadequate 1m7f here three weeks ago when back from a 15-month layoff; may do better back up in trip with the outing under his belt; however, he's on a four-year losing spell.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

30th Jun 2023

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

15:40 Cartmel

Absolutely Dylan

10st 2lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Sue Smith

Pulled up in both starts this month, after a break; long time since he showed real form and all three career wins came five years ago.

25/1

7

17th Jun 2023

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

16:55 Hexham

Absolutely Dylan

10st 2lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Sue Smith

Returned from long absence with two very disappointing chase runs last season and, following another break, was pulled up over hurdles nine days ago; revival needed.

14/1

Form: 31-255

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 7lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
In good form in the spring, winning at Sedgefield (3m3f) then going close here (3m); couple of modest efforts since and this drop back in distance looks a negative; cheekpieces enlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

10th Mar 2023

Good

3m 0f 20y

Class 5

15:10 Ayr

Well Cliche

10st 5lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Martin Todhunter

Scored off today's mark at Sedgefield (3m3f, good to soft) last April and put a couple of substandard runs behind her when placed in first-time cheekpieces at Newcastle (2m4f, soft) in January but ran poorly when returned to Sedgefield last time and needs to bounce back again here.

12/1

5th

7

29th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

3m 2f 202y

Class 5

15:45 Sedgefield

Well Cliche

10st 12lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Martin Todhunter

in rear

8/1

3rd

6

7th Jan 2023

Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 5

15:43 Newcastle

Well Cliche

10st 7lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Martin Todhunter

prominent on inner, disputed lead 4th, led 6th

8/1

Form: 444595

Last run: 92 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Poor maiden, yet to be placed; had wind surgery since last run and it needs to make a big difference; 7lb out of weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

8th Feb 2023

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

13:35 Southwell

Amber Run

10st 2lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Micky Hammond

prominent, not fluent 7th

40/1

9

1st Jan 2023

Soft

3m 1f 54y

Class 5

15:00 Catterick

Amber Run

10st 2lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Micky Hammond

raced in last, raced wide after 4th

25/1

Verdict

An open-looking race, with most of the runners well handicapped on their peak form. On recent evidence CASH AGAIN is particularly solid, ahead of course specialist Graystown. Last year’s winner Without Conviction holds major claims if back on song.[Steve Boow]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Cash Again

The Times:

Shoughall's Boy

RP Ratings:

Absolutely Dylan

POSTDATA:

Graystown

Daily Mirror:

Without Conviction

D Express:

Lovely Moon

Daily Mail:

Shoughall's Boy

The Star:

Absolutely Dylan

Telegraph:

Cash Again

The Sun:

Cash Again

Daily Record:

Cash Again

The Guardian:

Graystown