May 04 / 17.00 Hexham

17.00

Good To Soft

At The Races App Expert Tips Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £5096.16
  • 2m 4f 15y
  • Class 5
  • 13 runners
SKY
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At The Races App Expert Tips Handicap Chase

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.50
  • Place: £2.70

Form: 8P424-

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 10lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Point/dual hurdle winner; 0-13 over fences but returned from an absence with a second at Carlisle (2m5f, soft) in March and was a creditable fourth in similar conditions at Kelso last month; in the mix.
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

16/1

  • Place: £4.30

Form: 8243P-

Last run: 59 days

W: 10st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Creditable third at Musselburgh (2m4f, soft) in February but he's not easy to predict and was pulled up at Catterick last time; record now stands at 0-11 and others are more convincing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

16:30 Cartmel

Halfway House Lad

10st 10lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

5lb out of the weights when romping home on recent stable debut at Hexham (3m, good); now 8lb higher and all wins have been gained at Newcastle or Hexham so still has some convincing to do around a sharp track.

15/8

1st

13

2nd May 2026

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

19:45 Hexham

Halfway House Lad

10st 2lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

Three chase wins for Maurice Barnes including over C&D in March 2025 (good to soft); well beaten last three starts; 5lb out of the handicap for stable debut.

16/1

6th

10

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

16:35 Newcastle

Halfway House Lad

10st 7lb

J: Charlie Price

T: Maurice Barnes

Won this race off a 4lb lower mark last season (Hawkseye View third); mixed form this season, but the drier ground will suit and has an each-way chance.

16/1

10/1

  • Place: £3.90

Form: 2/P46- D

Last run: 138 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Sole win was over hurdles at Newcastle (2m4f, good) in April 2022; had only five runs last year and he struggled in four of them including over fences at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) in December; tongue-tie returns on this drop in grade but has plenty to prove back from a break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

4th Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

15:48 Perth

Warriors Story

10st 6lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

Winless since April 2022, and he beat only one in 3m handicap hurdle here 25 days ago; visor is reached for with lots to find.

16/1

10th

4

9th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

16:52 Perth

Warriors Story

11st 5lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

prominent, pressed leader before 3rd

8/1

4

21st May 2024

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

18:58 Hexham

Warriors Story

11st 7lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: N W Alexander

prominent, not fluent 2nd, lost position 7th, dropped to rear 9th

9/4

Form: /6471- CD

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
No win in his first 19 starts but he came good when beating Cudgel by 8l over C&D (heavy) in March; up 5lb but that was only his sixth chase run and he's a big player again if he can back that up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

11

3rd Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 5

16:00 Carlisle

Stowaway John

10st 5lb

J: Murray Dodd

T: Sandy Forster

Belatedly off the mark in Hexham event (2m4f) last March; has failed to build on that win; not the percentage call.

33/1

Form: 65PPP- CD

Last run: 113 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Runner-up off 8lb higher in this race (good to soft) last year but he's lost his way since last July and has been pulled in last three runs; now returns to chasing after a break but he needs a major turnaround; cheekpieces worn last time are removed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

11th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 133y

Class 5

13:55 Hexham

Follow Your Arrow

10st 7lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

Record of 1-20 over fences and was disappointing last time, but he was placed three times in a row here (1m7f-2m4f, good to soft) in the spring; had wind surgery since his last run and could be dangerous back at this track on his return; cheekpieces reapplied.

14/1

11

21st Jul 2025

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

16:50 Cartmel

Follow Your Arrow

10st 12lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

Has modest 1-19 strike-rate over fences and fell here when last in action but was placed three consecutive times off today's mark at Hexham (1m7f-2m4f, good to soft) in the spring; considered each-way.

6/1

Form: 34222- C BF

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 7lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
All of his six wins have been at this track and he's finished runner-up in last three starts, including over C&D (heavy) last twice; remains feasibly treated and he should go well again kept to his ideal venue.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

12

14th Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

15:48 Hexham

Cudgel

10st 2lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: James Walton

towards rear

20/1

Form: /61F6- C

Last run: 71 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Improved form when winning on handicap/chase here (1m7f, heavy) in December; looked a big danger when he fell two out at Sedgefield next time but he disappointed there in February; bit to prove but he's still lightly raced and has claims if he can bounce back on this drop back in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 210y

Class 2

16:27 Carlisle

Heeztheboy

11st 4lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Gary Hanmer

Progressive for new stable, winning four times, until form dipped sharply in last two outings; has seemingly gone off the boil and may be in the assessor's grip now to boot.

16/1

3

24th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 54y

Class 4

16:00 Catterick

Heeztheboy

11st 7lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Gary Hanmer

Tailed off at Leicester (2m6f, good to soft) last month but highly progressive for new yard previously, winning four times (2m4f/3m, good to soft/heavy); no surprise if he bounces back with a big performance.

13/2

Form: 485/0-

Last run: 87 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Six-race maiden who has struggled in three handicaps and first two were over fences (2m/1m7f); still unexposed but always behind on Sedgefield comeback in February and needs a transformation back chasing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

4th Oct 2024

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

17:15 Hexham

Ring Pretender

10st 12lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

in rear

7/1

3rd

5

21st May 2024

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

18:58 Hexham

Ring Pretender

10st 13lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

towards rear, outpaced 12th, soon rallied, headway on inner after 2 out, went fourth home turn, went third last, no impression run-in

6/1

3rd

5

21st May 2024

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

18:58 Hexham

Ring Pretender

10st 13lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

towards rear, outpaced 12th, soon rallied

6/1

OUR TIP

Form: 27342- C

Last run: 211 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Course winner who usually races prominently but his two chase wins have been at 3m/3m1f; runner-up here (3m, soft) in his final start in the autumn but this is a deeper race and he has some work to do back in trip after 211 days off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

16:30 Cartmel

Lights Are Green

10st 13lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

C&D record of 2-7 includes victory in this race in 2023 off 5lb higher (good); pulled up in last year's renewal, however, and other results last term offer scant optimism on this return from seven months off.

25/1

5

19th Oct 2025

Good

3m 2f 59y

Class 4

15:33 Sedgefield

Lights Are Green

10st 5lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

Has won off higher marks in the past but has regressed in four appearances this year; tried cheekpieces last time; others safer.

14/1

Form: 4P474- C

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 10lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Thrown in on his old chase form but last win was in December 2022 and this veteran has not achieved a great deal in the last 12 months; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

22nd Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

17:05 Ludlow

The Paddy Pie

12st 6lb

J: Miss Venetia Thompson

T: W M Wanless

Eight-time chase winner at up 3m1f but he's well into the veteran stage now and has struggled in three points this year; this looks tough on these terms back over regulation fences and others are preferred.

16/1

6th

5

19th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 203y

Class 4

17:00 Haydock

The Paddy Pie

11st 2lb

J: Jack Power

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Looked rather gone at the game last winter so connections and rider Jack Power have done brilliantly to get his enthusiasm back at his age; he completed the hat-trick a shade cosily at Sedgefield (2m5f, good; won on soft twice in midwinter) in March and another win is on the cards.

11/4

6th

5

19th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 203y

Class 4

17:00 Haydock

The Paddy Pie

11st 2lb

J: Jack Power

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

in touch with leaders, outpaced 4 out, weakened after 2 out

11/4

Form: 04333- BF

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
0-7 under rules but he's run well in three of his four chase starts, including a close call at Catterick (2m3f, good to soft) in December and a bold bid when third at Kelso (2m5f, soft) on his return last month; this drop back in trip looks a good move and he's highly respected with cheekpieces added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

11th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 19y

Class 5

13:30 Newcastle

Empty Nest

11st 6lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Usually goes well over C&D - form figures 212 - that win gained from a 2lb higher mark (favourite) over a year ago; recent Wetherby efforts were not so good but there was plenty to admire about the manner in which he rallied behind Always A Reason over C&D (good to soft) in January.

15/8

5th

7

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 4

14:37 Wetherby

Empty Nest

10st 2lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

C&D winner who was runner-up at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) in January and filled same position at Doncaster (2m4f, soft) last month; disappointing over C&D last time but no surprise if he bounces back with a bold show.

13/2

6th

7

26th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 85y

Class 4

15:35 Wetherby

Empty Nest

10st 13lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Two wins last season (including C&D) and he's run well to finish second on both outings this year (2m4f, good to soft/soft), most recently at Doncaster three weeks ago; solid contender.

11/2

Form: 34P87- CD

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 11lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
C&D winner who scored off 4lb higher at Newcastle (2m4f, heavy) last April but he's been out of sorts at biggish prices in his three runs this year and needs to get back on track.
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: /P47P-

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Point winner but he's 0-37 under rules and has form figures of PP47P over regulation fences; 3lb out of the weights here and can only be watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

4th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

17:00 Hexham

Glory

10st 3lb

J: Miss Alex Garven

T: Victor Thompson

Point winner but he's 0-37 under rules and has form figures of PP47P over regulation fences; 3lb out of the weights here and can only be watched.

40/1

13

4th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

17:00 Hexham

Glory

10st 3lb

J: Miss Alex Garven

T: Victor Thompson

Point winner but he's 0-37 under rules and has form figures of PP47P over regulation fences; 3lb out of the weights here and can only be watched.

40/1

4

22nd Apr 2024

Heavy

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

17:05 Hexham

Glory

11st 12lb

J: Miss Roisin Leech

T: Victor Thompson

Won a maiden point last February (3m, good) but has plenty to find overall.

100/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £133.30
Straight Forecast £120.48
Tricast £1658.82
Trifecta £2081.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Empty Nest

Telegraph:

Cudgel

Daily Record:

Lights Are Green

TOPSPEED:

Follow Your Arrow

D Express:

Warriors Story

Daily Mail:

Stowaway John

RP RATINGS:

Ex S'Elance

POSTDATA:

Empty Nest

The Times:

Empty Nest

The Guardian:

Empty Nest

The Sun:

Empty Nest

Daily Mirror:

Cudgel

The Star:

Cudgel