March 28 / 15.45 Hexham

15.45

Heavy

Linda Elphicks 65th Birthday Celebration Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4673.68
  • 2m 4f 28y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
Linda Elphicks 65th Birthday Celebration Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £9.50
  • Place: £2.30

Form: 4-7843

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Unexposed sort who ran his best race when third to a hat-trick scorer at Leicester on handicap debut last time (2m4f, soft); further progress likely; chance
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

8th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 58y

Class 5

16:25 Haydock

Marty Time

11st 10lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Sue Smith

Better again when sent handicapping on last two starts, winning by 6l in a ten-runner race at Hexham (2m4f, heavy) on latest; raised 6lb but well on top last time and could easily have more to offer.

5/2

1st

3

28th Mar 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

15:45 Hexham

Marty Time

11st 11lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Sue Smith

prominent, led after 3 out, pushed along after 2 out, ridden and went clear home turn, pushed out run-in, comfortably

5/2

3rd

4

1st Feb 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

16:20 Leicester

Marty Time

11st 8lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Sue Smith

Some late headway in novice company at Wetherby (2m3f, soft; 28-1; beaten 43l) last month; possibly will prove suited by this slightly longer trip on handicap debut but chasing could prove his long-term forte.

20/1

OUR TIP

9/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 581647 CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
C&D winner on soft in November; fair fourth at Ayr two runs later (2m5f, heavy) and appeared not to stay 2m7f last time; now tried in cheekpieces and is one with a chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

14:41 Hexham

Lewa House

10st 8lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: Catch Bissett

Runner-up in this event 12 months ago but he's yet to hit top form this term and came in a well-held sixth back hurdling in 2m4f Ayr handicap last month; still can't be totally discounted returning here off a reduced mark.

14/1

50/1

  • Place: £11.50

Form: 633-8P CD

Last run: 34 days

W: 10st 2lb

14 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Exposed veteran hurdler; out of form this term, 4lb out of the handicap and would be a surprise winner.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

25th Jun 2023

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

13:45 Hexham

Kilcaragh Boy

10st 6lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Richard Armson

held up in rear

16/1

3rd

10

28th Mar 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

15:45 Hexham

Kilcaragh Boy

10st 2lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Richard Armson

took keen hold, midfield, headway 3 out, pushed along after 2 out, outpaced home turn, well held approaching last

50/1

13

22nd Feb 2023

Good

2m 3f 88y

Class 5

16:10 Doncaster

Kilcaragh Boy

10st 2lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Richard Armson

in touch with leaders

50/1

Form: 76-565

Last run: 89 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Only modest form in two bumpers and three novice hurdles at about 2m; improvement likely up in trip on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 4

16:46 Kelso

Cowboy Cooper

10st 10lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Donald Whillans

Won in good style at Ayr (3m, soft) in January and he's also effective on good to soft ground; however, this 10yo has been pulled up/soundly beaten on his last two starts and needs to get back on track.

16/1

4th

5

3rd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 4

16:05 Newcastle

Cowboy Cooper

10st 12lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Donald Whillans

Beat a subsequent winner when scoring at Ayr two runs back (3m, soft) but pulled up over same C&D last time; needs to bounce back.

9/1

4

10th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 5

16:05 Ayr

Cowboy Cooper

11st 7lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Donald Whillans

Won this 12 months ago (good to soft) and only his third run in the meantime when well on top again here in early January (soft); 6lb rise elevates him to a career-high mark but he should still have every chance.

9/4

Form: -22235 D

Last run: 188 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
1-17 over hurdles, but has also been placed seven times; 13lb higher than for only win, has been off since September and is best on good ground; others appeal more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

19th Aug 2023

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

15:55 Perth

Petite Rhapsody

11st 7lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Both wins were over 2m4f here; several good runs over 3m, and although not at his best behind The Longest Day last time, could bounce back.

10/1

4th

2

2nd Aug 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

14:45 Perth

Petite Rhapsody

11st 13lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

held up in rear, not fluent 1st

6/1

3rd

2

16th Jul 2023

Soft

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

15:40 Perth

Petite Rhapsody

10st 9lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Lucinda Russell

Frequent runner here, including for his only two wins; rallied to prevail close home over C&D (good) in May but ran a shocker back here three weeks ago; others appeal more at the weights even if he is back to his best and he has a bit more to prove if the ground is worse than good to soft.

6/1

Form: 56-76P

Last run: 39 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner (3m, yielding to soft); showed some promise in maiden hurdles last season but hasn't progressed since going handicapping; first run back following a wind operation and cheekpieces now tried.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

10th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 59y

Class 5

15:38 Sedgefield

Goodoldbill

10st 2lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Jane Walton

Seeking a hat-trick after wins over C&D (soft) and at Newcastle (2m7f, good to soft); up another 5lb for latest success but drying ground not ideal.

5/2

1st

11

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

16:35 Newcastle

Goodoldbill

10st 5lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Jane Walton

Reportedly jumped better than on his previous start (here) when returning to form to win at Sedgefield last time (3m2f, soft); has a chance on that, but isn't particularly consistent.

12/1

1st

5

19th Feb 2026

3m 2f 59y

Class 5

15:08 Sedgefield

Goodoldbill

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Jane Walton

Won a novice handicap chase at Newcastle in November 2023 (2m7f, soft); mainly disappointing since and hard to fancy.

66/1

Form: -87690

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Fourth in a Catterick bumper on second start (1m7f, good to soft) but hasn't progressed and poor efforts in handicaps on good ground at Wetherby (2m3f/3m) on last two runs; more needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

9

26th Jan 2025

Soft

3m 2f 59y

Class 5

15:40 Sedgefield

Monaghan Boy

10st 3lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Micky Hammond

midfield

6/1

10th

9

26th Jan 2025

Soft

3m 2f 59y

Class 5

15:40 Sedgefield

Monaghan Boy

10st 3lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Micky Hammond

midfield

6/1

3rd

9

27th Nov 2024

Soft

3m 0f 45y

Class 4

14:45 Wetherby

Monaghan Boy

10st 2lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Micky Hammond

Won in first-time cheekpieces over 3m3f at Sedgefield in February but those aids are now missing after never going a yard at Hexham in April; 4lb out of the weights and others are safer.

20/1

Form: 00-680

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 11lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Won twice over hurdles in Ireland (3m/2m5f) but it's a long time since he has shown any worthwhile form and makes no appeal despite being well handicapped.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

1st Jun 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

16:55 Hexham

The White Volcano

11st 4lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Wilf Storey

Won first race since 2019 when scoring by nearly 10l here last time (good to soft, Cudgel well back in sixth but 12lb better off); now 10lb higher; acts on heavy ground; worth considering.

6/4

1st

11

4th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

17:00 Hexham

The White Volcano

10st 10lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Wilf Storey

in rear

10/1

1st

11

4th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

17:00 Hexham

The White Volcano

10st 10lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Wilf Storey

in rear

10/1

Form: /38-P4 CD

Last run: 59 days

W: 10st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Won this race off 3lb lower in 2021; having second run back from a year on the sidelines when fourth to an in-form rival at Uttoxeter last time (2m4f, good to soft, visor replaced cheekpieces); has same headgear here and looks a major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

28th Mar 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

15:45 Hexham

Golan Cloud

10st 12lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

led, not fluent and headed 3 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out (jockey said gelding made a mistake three hurdles out and was never travelling thereafter)

11/4

4th

13

28th Jan 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

16:17 Uttoxeter

Golan Cloud

10st 11lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Jennie Candlish

The winner of two handicaps in the north and should be on a good mark, but he was pulled up here on his return from an absence and now goes in a visor (replaces cheekpieces).

20/1

10

31st Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

13:08 Uttoxeter

Golan Cloud

11st 1lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Two wins from 16 starts over hurdles; it's possible that this sort of trip stretches him (made one fair attempt on heavy) but rain would otherwise be fine; absent for one year and he can go well fresh.

14/1

Form: 0P4P9

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Best run when fourth in a Kelso novice in December (2m6f, heavy); poor efforts since, including in two handicaps; cheekpieces now tried; others stronger.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

28th Mar 2023

Heavy

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

15:45 Hexham

How Much

11st 2lb

J: Mr William Easterby

T: Tim Easterby

held up in rear, pushed along after 3 out, struggling 2 out, pulled up approaching last

25/1

11

18th Mar 2023

Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

16:35 Newcastle

How Much

10st 11lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Tim Easterby

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £45.40
Straight Forecast £33.55
Tricast £1131.71
Trifecta £966.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Golan Cloud

Daily Mail:

Lewa House

The Guardian:

Petite Rhapsody

D Express:

Lewa House

The Sun:

Lewa House

RP Ratings:

Golan Cloud

POSTDATA:

Golan Cloud

The Times:

Golan Cloud

Telegraph:

Golan Cloud

Daily Mirror:

Golan Cloud

The Star:

Golan Cloud

Daily Record:

Golan Cloud