May 21 / 18.58 Hexham

18.58

Good

Northumberland County Show Novices’ Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £5096.16
  • 2m 4f 15y
  • Class 5
  • 8 runners
SKY
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Northumberland County Show Novices’ Handicap Chase

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.50
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 43P54-

Last run: 66 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Irish point winner who is 0-9 under rules and hasn't been at the top of his game this year; however, he's edged down the weights and shaped over 2m7f at Newcastle last time as though this shorter trip may help.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 4

14:00 Newcastle

Shadows In The Sky

11st 12lb

J: Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

10yo whose form has been mixed this season but he's edged back down the weights and his Newmarket yard is 3-6 here; capable of a big run.

10/1

1

17th Oct 2025

Good

2m 5f 44y

Class 4

16:25 Fakenham

Shadows In The Sky

11st 8lb

J: Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

Most consistent win or lose over either obstacle for this stable until finding a brush hurdle series final at Worcester all too much last time (2m4f, good); swimming in calmer waters again on this return to fences, albeit still above any class he's ever won in.

3/1

12

26th Sep 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

14:42 Worcester

Shadows In The Sky

11st 2lb

J: Nathan Howie

T: James Owen

Consistent over fences and hurdles for new stable this season, winning once under each discipline; suited by this C&D but may find less exposed rivals better handicapped today; swaps cheekpieces for refitted visor.

20/1

10/1

  • Place: £3.90

Form: 1833-7 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Novice hurdle winner who also showed some ability in points; well beaten this spring on first two chase/handicap starts and hasn't looked a natural, but things may click over fences at some stage for this 6yo.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

10th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 4

16:40 Hexham

Backbyjet

11st 9lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Brian Ellison

All three chase wins have been on this course but over 2m4f; 1m7f would have been too sharp on last month's return from a break but he could be vulnerable to stronger stayers at this trip.

8/1

4

10th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 4

16:40 Hexham

Backbyjet

11st 9lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Brian Ellison

All three chase wins have been on this course but over 2m4f; 1m7f would have been too sharp on last month's return from a break but he could be vulnerable to stronger stayers at this trip.

8/1

5th

1

14th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 133y

Class 4

14:48 Hexham

Backbyjet

12st 0lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Brian Ellison

prominent, lost position 8th, weakened on turn before last

6/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 85/0-8

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
She's well handicapped on her 2022 novice hurdle form (including on good ground here); remains lightly raced and she looked a threat before fading quickly over C&D this month, but she's now been soundly beaten on each of her last four starts.
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

Form: /557P-

Last run: 193 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Down the field/pulled up on his three hurdle starts last autumn (soft/heavy); however, he was third in a good-ground bumper last April and could tap back into that promise now back on better going on chase/handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

20th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 5

15:00 Warwick

Edgewell

12st 0lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Nick Scholfield

Landed back-to-back wins at Hereford over 3m1f on good this spring; found out in a higher grade twice since but back at his winning level and should run his race.

13/2

3rd

6

5th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

17:42 Hereford

Edgewell

10st 8lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Nick Scholfield

Record of 3-13 over fences; 2-2 over C&D, namely good-ground wins this spring; below par at Fontwell in hat-trick attempt but has possibilities back here; admittedly yet to score above Class 5.

13/2

4th

6

24th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 210y

Class 4

17:45 Fontwell

Edgewell

10st 12lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Nick Scholfield

8yo who has been resurgent with wins at Hereford (3m1f, good) in his last two starts; 3lb higher than last time but he stayed on strongly to beat a clear second and remains well handicapped on his best form; key player.

100/30

OUR TIP

Form: /0369-

Last run: 26 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Tailed off on last month's chase and handicap debut at Huntingdon (2m7f, good) and has since left Alan King (remains in same ownership); however, this lightly raced 7yo had shown promise previously and could improve for that latest run (his first since January) and this drop back in trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

19th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 198y

Class 5

14:17 Carlisle

Hey Brother

11st 0lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Barry Murtagh

towards rear

33/1

5

19th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 198y

Class 5

14:17 Carlisle

Hey Brother

11st 0lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Barry Murtagh

towards rear

33/1

9

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 7f 199y

Class 4

15:02 Hexham

Hey Brother

10st 5lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Barry Murtagh

Ex-Jedd O'Keefe; good second at Uttoxeter in June (3m, good); hasn't jumped well on either start for new yard; cheekpieces now tried; others stronger.

50/1

Form: 479P4-

Last run: 112 days

W: 10st 12lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
She's not easy to fancy judged on her five hurdle runs but they have been on testing ground in the main and she showed some promise in bumpers last summer on good/good to soft going; this lightly raced 5yo is an interesting contender now back on better ground for her chase debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

4th Sep 2025

Good

2m 5f 28y

Class 5

17:28 Sedgefield

Rorys Story

10st 10lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Has been getting her act together over fences and the breakthrough came at Cartmel (2m1f) in July on her penultimate start; stayed on from the rear when third of eight over that C&D (also good) ten days ago; this sort of trip is probably worth exploring again.

3/1

3rd

8

25th Aug 2025

Good

2m 1f 61y

Class 5

17:18 Cartmel

Rorys Story

10st 11lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

The breakthrough had been coming and he was much too good for Pittsburg over C&D (good) a month ago; 7lb higher but something appears to have clicked.

7/2

1st

6

19th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 61y

Class 5

17:10 Cartmel

Rorys Story

10st 3lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

14-race maiden; in the frame in three consecutive good-ground chases since dropped back to about 2m this season but needs to find something extra to get a win on the board here and the forecast slower ground is a worry.

11/2

Form: /4P45- D

Last run: 253 days

W: 10st 7lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Hurdle winner for whom the drop back in trip and return to better ground may be a plus now back over fences; however, her form has become patchy and she hasn't convinced on her last few chase starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

17th Aug 2024

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 5

18:05 Perth

Miss Wachit

10st 8lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ruth Jefferson

Sole win came in first-time blinkers at Southwell (2m4f, Class 5 mares' handicap hurdle) in June 2022; a bit better since returning from further wind surgery, rallying into fourth from 8lb out of the handicap at Market Rasen (3m; cheekpieces) latest; isn't without a chance.

11/2

4th

11

20th Jul 2024

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

17:00 Market Rasen

Miss Wachit

10st 2lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ruth Jefferson

Stuck to task well when fourth here (2m5f, good; just behind Ribeye) last month but is effectively 7lb higher today and is yet to add to his 2022 hurdle win; often wears blinkers; cheekpieces tried today.

33/1

Form: /P46-3 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Disappointing on his three runs last season but there were signs of a revival over C&D (good to soft) recently when a fair third; he's won on good ground and could improve for that latest run, which came after a break; the tongue-tie that went back on last time is left off; one to consider.
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

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £91.40
Straight Forecast £86.71
Tricast £951.66
Trifecta £599.40

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Warriors Story

SPOTLIGHT:

Edgewell

D Express:

Ring Pretender

The Star:

Miss Wachit

POSTDATA:

Warriors Story

The Times:

Warriors Story

Telegraph:

Warriors Story

The Guardian:

Warriors Story

Daily Mail:

Warriors Story

Daily Mirror:

Warriors Story

The Sun:

Warriors Story

Daily Record:

Warriors Story