April 22 / 15.30 Hexham

15.30

Heavy

Follow @AtTheRaces On Twitter Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £5201.78
  • 3m 0f 41y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
Follow @AtTheRaces On Twitter Handicap Chase

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Scattered showers

OUR TIP

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £1.90

Form: -0P322

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Nine-race maiden; runner-up at Newcastle on last two starts, the latest going down by just over 5l behind a subsequent winner over 2m7f on testing ground; one with a chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

6th Mar 2026

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 5

16:53 Ayr

Torosay

11st 10lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Low-mileage mare who got right back on track (under today's rider Gregor Walkingshaw) when a clear second of 11 over C&D 24 days ago; up 2lb but she holds leading claims for yard back among the winners.

7/4

2nd

6

10th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 5

16:05 Ayr

Torosay

11st 4lb

J: Gregor Walkingshaw

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Heavy-ground chase winner at 3m; close up over C&D in November (soft) but not quite at that level since and bit to find with Jirko on a recent clash here.

8/1

4

1st Nov 2025

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 5

13:23 Ayr

Torosay

11st 6lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Best effort when running away from 12 rivals at Hexham (3m, heavy) in April 2024; hasn't always had suitable conditions since, and she lost a shoe when bidding for a win in the same race 201 days ago; may still have some potential and she's now only 2lb higher than for the win.

5/1

Form: /4P52- C BF

Last run: 432 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Winning pointer; has won three times over hurdles at up to 3m1f including on heavy ground; second in Hereford handicap chase (3m1f, good) off this mark when last seen out in February 2023; could go well despite long break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

24th Sep 2024

Good

3m 2f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Warwick

Dynamite Kentucky

12st 0lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Didn't have a lot in hand at Worcester (2m7f, good) and has gone up 5lb; however, he won't mind the recent rain and a lack of stamina won't stop him.

7/2

1st

1

21st Aug 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

19:35 Worcester

Dynamite Kentucky

11st 13lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Would appeal more on ground slower than good but comes here after running well in defeat on consecutive appearances this summer (2m7f/3m1f) and is still on a workable mark; can't be ruled out.

7/1

2nd

4

22nd Jul 2024

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 4

15:20 Cartmel

Dynamite Kentucky

11st 9lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, headway after 3 out, led approaching last, headed and outpaced last, rallied final 110yds, kept on

7/1

10/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: -33376

Last run: 45 days

W: 10st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
12-race maiden; below par at Ayr on latest start (3m, good to soft), having shaped with a degree of promise on his two previous runs over fences; not out of it.
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: 2237P2 CD BF

Last run: 39 days

W: 10st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Won this race off 6lb lower last season (soft); beaten a long way when runner-up to an in-form rival over C&D last time (heavy); each-way chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

15:30 Hexham

Gibberwell

10st 8lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

His last two wins have come here (including this race in 2023) and he was 8lb out of the handicap when back here last time; however, this 10yo has been pulled up on his last three starts and needs to turn things around.

33/1

11

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 7f 199y

Class 4

15:41 Hexham

Gibberwell

10st 2lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

His last two wins have come here but this 10yo has been pulled up on his last two starts and is 8lb wrong at the weights.

50/1

Form: 45P246 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Dual winning hurdler; yet to score over fences, although was second over 4m here last month (heavy); rather disappointing since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

19:20 Hexham

Don Brocco

10st 8lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: Gary Rutherford

1-20 over fences and although he finished second here (4m) in March, he has run below that since at Carlisle and back over hurdles at Perth; requires an extreme test to be seen at his best.

33/1

8th

9

22nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

16:40 Perth

Don Brocco

10st 5lb

J: Miss Lucy Brown

T: Gary Rutherford

Both hurdle wins came over 3m/3m1f on soft back in 2022; fair second in a 4m h'cap chase at Hexham last month (soft), but not so good last time.

16/1

5th

5

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 5

15:27 Carlisle

Don Brocco

11st 0lb

J: Edward Austin

T: Gary Rutherford

Belied 40-1 odds when keeping-on second (no threat to winner) at Hexham (4m, soft) last month and is also well suited by this track but is far too inconsistent to rely upon and would appeal more on soft/heavy ground.

9/1

Form: -02221

Last run: 59 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Off the mark over fences in first-time cheekpieces over 3m3f at Sedgefield last time (soft); headgear retained and only 3lb higher; a possible.
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: 2-34P8 C

Last run: 7 days

W: 10st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Both chase wins have been over 2m4f although has won a 3m point and was runner-up to Gibberwell in this race last season; not at his best recently; others stronger.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

26th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 45y

Class 5

17:15 Wetherby

Ex SElance

10st 2lb

J: Miss Pippa Brown

T: Victor Thompson

Third in a point-to-point last month but this 12yo was pulled up when back under rules at Ayr (3m, soft) recently; 7lb out of the handicap and others are preferred.

50/1

Form: 647P32

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Seven-race maiden; two fair runs recently, notably when length-second at Newcastle last time (2m4f, heavy); longer trip a slight concern
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

27th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 5

19:38 Cartmel

Poetry Man

11st 4lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

After three successive pull-ups over fences he got back on track when close up in a 2m6f handicap hurdle here on Monday when in a first-time visor; if turned out again he'd command a level of respect.

14/1

3rd

4

25th May 2026

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 5

14:48 Cartmel

Poetry Man

11st 7lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

Ran fairly well in 3m1f hurdle in January but was pulled up in all three subsequent chases; swaps usual cheekpieces for first-time visor; can't be supported with much confidence.

33/1

3

2nd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

19:45 Hexham

Poetry Man

11st 10lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

Won a 3m1f handicap chase at Catterick in December 2024 (good); some fair runs since, but plenty to prove having been pulled up on last two starts; tongue-tie now tried.

25/1

Form: P68-95

Last run: 41 days

W: 10st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Modest form over hurdles; didn't jump particularly well when last of five on chase debut at Sedgefield last month (3m3f, soft; first run after a wind op); bit to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

26th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 5

16:35 Kelso

Derwent Dealer

10st 5lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Danny Brooke

Eight-race maiden; did not jump well enough when last of five on chasing debut at Sedgefield (3m3f, soft) in March and has since been pulled up (albeit on heavy ground) at Hexham; may fare better on the quicker surface here but still looks too risky.

16/1

2nd

7

26th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 5

16:35 Kelso

Derwent Dealer

10st 5lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Danny Brooke

Eight-race maiden; did not jump well enough when last of five on chasing debut at Sedgefield (3m3f, soft) in March and has since been pulled up (albeit on heavy ground) at Hexham; may fare better on the quicker surface here but still looks too risky.

16/1

8

22nd Apr 2024

Heavy

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

15:30 Hexham

Derwent Dealer

10st 8lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Danny Brooke

Modest form over hurdles; didn't jump particularly well when last of five on chase debut at Sedgefield last month (3m3f, soft; first run after a wind op); bit to prove.

12/1

Form: PP7592 CD

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Two wins over fences, the latest off a 6lb higher mark over C&D last May (good to soft); decent effort from out of the handicap when second at Wetherby last time (3m, soft; visor on instead of blinkers); same headgear here; a possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

22nd Apr 2024

Heavy

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

15:30 Hexham

Ballynagran

10st 7lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Joanne Foster

Two wins over fences, the latest off a 6lb higher mark over C&D last May (good to soft); decent effort from out of the handicap when second at Wetherby last time (3m, soft; visor on instead of blinkers); same headgear here; a possible.

9/1

9

22nd Apr 2024

Heavy

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

15:30 Hexham

Ballynagran

10st 7lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Joanne Foster

Two wins over fences, the latest off a 6lb higher mark over C&D last May (good to soft); decent effort from out of the handicap when second at Wetherby last time (3m, soft; visor on instead of blinkers); same headgear here; a possible.

9/1

2nd

5

28th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 0f 45y

Class 4

16:30 Wetherby

Ballynagran

10st 2lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Joanne Foster

C&D winner; scored at Hexham (3m, good to soft) last May and is well treated on that form, but he's been pulled up or tailed off on all six starts since; a dramatic revival is required; first-time visor replaces blinkers.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £49.70
Straight Forecast £52.92
Tricast £241.33
Trifecta £310.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Torosay

Telegraph:

Monaghan Boy

The Times:

Poetry Man

RP RATINGS:

Ballynagran

The Guardian:

Poetry Man

The Star:

Poetry Man

POSTDATA:

Torosay

Daily Mail:

Torosay

Daily Record:

Torosay

D Express:

Monaghan Boy

Daily Mirror:

Monaghan Boy

The Sun:

Monaghan Boy