May 21 / 17.25 Hexham

17.25

Good

Jayne Cragg 60th Birthday Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (Div I)

  • Prize money: £4779.3
  • 2m 7f 63y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
Jayne Cragg 60th Birthday Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (Div I)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

9/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.63
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 8691-2 BF

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Progressed since handicapping; beat a stablemate at Ayr (3m, good) in March, and bettered that in defeat over C&D (good to soft) recently; has more to find from this 5lb higher mark, but could yet prove capable of better; should be thereabouts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

3rd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 149y

Class 4

15:35 Newcastle

Better Be Definite

11st 0lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Rediscovered winning ways at Ayr (3m, soft; 5-1), that his second run back from a short break; the handicapper has responded with a 7lb rise, but this stablemate of Whiskey On Ice stays well and handles most ground conditions; likely to have a say in the finish.

11/4

16/1

  • Place: £2.50

Form: 58968- C

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
No win since March 2021 (Kelso; 3m2f); well beaten in three appearances (all 3m) since early March; seemingly has a mountain to climb to reverse Ayr placings with Better Be Definite; difficult to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

17:32 Perth

Dequall

10st 2lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Stuart Coltherd

towards rear, struggling in rear before halfway, pulled up before 3 out

16/1

11

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

17:32 Perth

Dequall

10st 2lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Stuart Coltherd

Placed a few times this term but is on a four-year losing spell and out of the weights today; others preferred.

16/1

5th

7

25th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

15:50 Hexham

Dequall

10st 10lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

Displayed some aptitude for chasing back in March 2022 (his last run in this sphere) and he's on a handy mark judged on hurdle form here in November 2024; however, he hasn't been at his best on his last three hurdle starts (two here) and remains without a win since March 2021.

8/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 1/36-6

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Dual-purpose campaigner; runner-up on AW at Wolverhampton (2m, 7-4 favourite) on penultimate start; outpaced, and could make no impression on return to hurdles over 2m4f here, beaten over 6l, subsequently; sits 2lb lower in a weaker race and the return to further could assist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

14th Jan 2026

Good

3m 0f 57y

Class 4

14:40 Newbury

Kiss My Face

11st 10lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Alastair Ralph

Hurdles record of 5-32 includes wins over 3m on good ground at Wetherby in October and Haydock latest start; holding his form well and is better than ever; may remain competitive.

12/1

4

19th Nov 2025

Soft

3m 1f 5y

Class 4

15:10 Warwick

Kiss My Face

11st 8lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Alastair Ralph

Running well at present and he followed a Wetherby win (3m) in October with a solid third at Bangor (2m7f, also good), despite giving Joe Anderson a workout, 12 days later; has form on soft and is one to consider.

8/1

6

27th Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 4

16:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Kiss My Face

11st 6lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Alastair Ralph

Arguably posted career-best performance when winning at Warwick (3m, good) 12 days ago, but is 6lb higher in a stronger race and not always one to rely upon; others appeal more.

11/2

Form: /F2V-3

Last run: 10 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 7yo; was fitted with a tongue-tie when a creditable third to an odds-on favourite over C&D (maiden, good, beaten 5l) recently; makes the switch to handicapping at a realistic level; a probable contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

7th Jun 2024

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 5

14:18 Market Rasen

Didnt Ask

12st 0lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Maurice Barnes

0-5 over hurdles but his two runs over 2m7f at Hexham (good) this spring were both perfectly respectable, and his Irish point win in 2022 bodes well for his prospects on this chasing debut.

10/1

4th

1

21st May 2024

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

17:25 Hexham

Didnt Ask

12st 0lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Maurice Barnes

Lightly raced 7yo; was fitted with a tongue-tie when a creditable third to an odds-on favourite over C&D (maiden, good, beaten 5l) recently; makes the switch to handicapping at a realistic level; a probable contender.

4/1

4th

1

21st May 2024

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

17:25 Hexham

Didnt Ask

12st 0lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Maurice Barnes

Lightly raced 7yo; was fitted with a tongue-tie when a creditable third to an odds-on favourite over C&D (maiden, good, beaten 5l) recently; makes the switch to handicapping at a realistic level; a probable contender.

4/1

Form: 56435-

Last run: 68 days

W: 11st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Six-race rules maiden; shaped okay when placed at Carlisle (3m1f, heavy; beaten about 9l) on penultimate start but well below that level when last of five to a stablemate of Better Be Definite over C&D (heavy) subsequently; this sounder surface could suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

11

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

17:50 Hexham

Reagrove Lord

10st 3lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: George Bewley

Has produced a couple of fair efforts in defeat, including a 10l third over C&D in this headgear combination in December 2024, but subsequent runs were disappointing; returns from a lengthy absence with major questions to answer.

33/1

9th

9

14th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:18 Hexham

Reagrove Lord

10st 5lb

J: Edward Austin

T: George Bewley

never going well, always behind

25/1

9th

9

14th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:18 Hexham

Reagrove Lord

10st 5lb

J: Edward Austin

T: George Bewley

never going well, always behind

25/1

Form: 6476/0

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Eight-race maiden; was returning from a 425-day absence when finishing down the field at Kelso (2m5f, good; beaten 33l) a fortnight ago; entitled to come on for that run but, despite competing from a 5lb lower mark, makes little appeal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

9th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

16:52 Perth

Bolt Man

10st 3lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Ian Duncan

in touch with leaders

33/1

5

21st May 2024

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

17:25 Hexham

Bolt Man

10st 9lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Ian Duncan

Eight-race maiden; was returning from a 425-day absence when finishing down the field at Kelso (2m5f, good; beaten 33l) a fortnight ago; entitled to come on for that run but, despite competing from a 5lb lower mark, makes little appeal.

25/1

5

21st May 2024

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

17:25 Hexham

Bolt Man

10st 9lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Ian Duncan

Eight-race maiden; was returning from a 425-day absence when finishing down the field at Kelso (2m5f, good; beaten 33l) a fortnight ago; entitled to come on for that run but, despite competing from a 5lb lower mark, makes little appeal.

25/1

Form: P6269-

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 8lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Gave a good account when runner-up at Musselburgh (3m, good to soft; same mark) in December but has failed to stake any kind of claim at Sedgefield or Southwell subsequently; the percentage call is to focus on less-exposed rivals.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

11

21st Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 16y

Class 5

13:35 Market Rasen

Just Call Me Al

10st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Gillian Boanas

always behind

33/1

6th

12

1st Jun 2024

Good To Soft

2m 6f 7y

Class 5

21:00 Stratford

Just Call Me Al

10st 3lb

J: William Maggs

T: Gillian Boanas

An 11yo who has fallen back into modest mode since his second at Musselburgh in December.

20/1

6

21st May 2024

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

17:25 Hexham

Just Call Me Al

10st 8lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Gillian Boanas

Gave a good account when runner-up at Musselburgh (3m, good to soft; same mark) in December but has failed to stake any kind of claim at Sedgefield or Southwell subsequently; the percentage call is to focus on less-exposed rivals.

16/1

Form: 3PP4P-

Last run: 56 days

W: 10st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Some promise in bumpers but has toiled in all four starts over hurdles, regularly pulling up; switches to handicaps from a lowly mark on much better ground which offers scope for optimism; it's impossible to have confidence though unless the market speaks favourably.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

21st May 2024

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

17:25 Hexham

Court Case

10st 4lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Rebecca Menzies

Some promise in bumpers but has toiled in all four starts over hurdles, regularly pulling up; switches to handicaps from a lowly mark on much better ground which offers scope for optimism; it's impossible to have confidence though unless the market speaks favourably.

12/1

8

21st May 2024

Good

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

17:25 Hexham

Court Case

10st 4lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Rebecca Menzies

Some promise in bumpers but has toiled in all four starts over hurdles, regularly pulling up; switches to handicaps from a lowly mark on much better ground which offers scope for optimism; it's impossible to have confidence though unless the market speaks favourably.

12/1

2

26th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 4

15:05 Newcastle

Court Case

11st 7lb

J: Aaron Anderson

T: Rebecca Menzies

Pulled up in his first two hurdles and then tailed off over C&D three weeks ago; has weak claims, though this will be his first time away from heavy ground.

50/1

Form: 32750- CD

Last run: 104 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
1-32 overall; last year's winner from a similar mark; ran creditably back here on his next two starts before gradually losing his way again; had a break since struggling at Sedgefield (2m4f, soft) in February; the market may offer the best guide, as was the case last year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

14th Jul 2024

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 5

14:30 Stratford

Buto

10st 2lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Micky Hammond

towards rear, not fluent 7th, not fluent 12th, soon struggling and pulled up

20/1

8th

12

15th Jun 2024

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

17:27 Hexham

Buto

10st 2lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Micky Hammond

2m7f course winner (good) over hurdles; hard to make a strong case for on his chase debut based on any recent form in either code.

33/1

9th

11

(9)

10th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

2m 1f 27y

Class 6

20:00 Pontefract

Buto

8st 9lb

J: Mark Winn

T: Micky Hammond

Sole win came over hurdles; ran dismally in that sphere the last twice; unconvincing record on Flat and not seen under this code for two years.

20/1

Form: 6P/P6- C

Last run: 46 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Both wins here at Hexham (2m4f) in late 2021; chasing (0-5) didn't appear to suit, and has struggled to make any impact since returning to hurdles earlier this year; this is just his second attempt beyond 2m5f; an unlikely candidate.
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

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £17.20
Straight Forecast £15.29
Tricast £51.01
Trifecta £75.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Better Be Definite

RP RATINGS:

Kiss My Face

D Express:

Didnt Ask

POSTDATA:

Better Be Definite

Telegraph:

Better Be Definite

Daily Mail:

Better Be Definite

Daily Mirror:

Better Be Definite

The Star:

Better Be Definite

Daily Record:

Better Be Definite

The Times:

Kiss My Face

The Guardian:

Kiss My Face