October 04 / 16.05 Hexham

16.05

Good

Bet Calculator At oddsmetrik.com Novices’ Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £5201.78
  • 3m 0f 41y
  • Class 5
  • 12 runners
SKY
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Bet Calculator At oddsmetrik.com Novices’ Handicap Chase

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.20
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 0P9/11

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Former maiden pointer who showed modest form over hurdles; better over fences, winning two handicaps at Fontwell (3m2f, good to soft) from two starts, the latest by 9l last week; has a 7lb penalty; contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

30th Oct 2024

Good

3m 0f 38y

Class 5

14:20 Fakenham

Instant Gambler

11st 6lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Alexandra Dunn

held up in rear, headway on outer before 2 out, went second on turn before last, soon hung left, no extra and lost second towards finish

10/11

8/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 231219

Last run: 16 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Lost his chance when making a bad mistake last time, but is a dual winner over fences at Cartmel this summer (2m5f, good/heavy); should stay 3m and a possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

18th Jul 2026

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 4

17:30 Cartmel

Sean Og

11st 4lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Dianne Sayer

All five wins over fences have been at this track and latest was over C&D (good) in May; didn't shine here last time but that was a Class 2 handicap and he still looks on a workable mark; respected on this big drop back in grade.

9/2

4th

6

28th Jun 2026

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 2

16:15 Cartmel

Sean Og

10st 6lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Dianne Sayer

All five wins over fences have been at this track, four over today's distance; at his best when scoring over C&D (good) last month and 4lb rise still gives him a good chance.

7/2

OUR TIP

11/2

  • Place: £2.60

Form: -45581 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish; placed in two points and regained his form over hurdles when winning a Perth handicap on his stable debut last time (3m, good; cheekpieces back on, 22-1); has plenty of experience over fences (placed twice) and an interesting contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

15th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 149y

Class 4

12:45 Newcastle

Steps Match

11st 12lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Daragh Bourke

took keen hold, led

20/1

7th

2

15th Nov 2024

Good

2m 7f 149y

Class 4

12:45 Newcastle

Steps Match

11st 12lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Daragh Bourke

took keen hold, led, pushed along briefly after 4th, hit 8th

20/1

4

31st Oct 2024

Good

2m 7f 149y

Class 4

13:45 Newcastle

Steps Match

11st 7lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Daragh Bourke

Triple 3m hurdle winner, the latest at Perth (good) in September, when 10lb lower; held over fences in both subsequent starts and likely to be playing for a place at best back over hurdles.

14/1

Form: P/P603

Last run: 38 days

W: 10st 2lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Winning pointer; progressive over fences, last time finishing a creditable third of eight at Stratford (3m3f, good to firm; tongue and cheekpieces on for first time); headgear retained; could go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

14th Oct 2024

Good

3m 1f 44y

Class 5

15:30 Hereford

No Promises

10st 10lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Steph Cameron

Winning pointer who left inauspicious chase/handicap debut a long way behind when third at Stratford (3m3f, good to firm) in first-time cheekpices/tongue-tie in August; didn't run badly at Hexham ten days ago and enters calculations here.

10/1

4th

12

4th Oct 2024

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

16:05 Hexham

No Promises

10st 2lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Steph Cameron

Winning pointer; progressive over fences, last time finishing a creditable third of eight at Stratford (3m3f, good to firm; tongue and cheekpieces on for first time); headgear retained; could go well.

15/2

Form: 266320

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Has won a point and a bumper; placed twice in handicap chases this summer until below-par run at Worcester last time; more exposed than most.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

4th Oct 2024

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

16:05 Hexham

Macavity

11st 6lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Has won a point and a bumper; placed twice in handicap chases this summer until below-par run at Worcester last time; more exposed than most.

12/1

10th

4

1st Sep 2024

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

14:10 Worcester

Macavity

11st 9lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Won his only bumper; 0-13 jumping under rules (3-6 in points) but placed in good-ground handicap chases at Uttoxeter (3m2f) and Perth (3m) on last two outings; place chance again.

15/2

2nd

6

17th Aug 2024

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 5

18:05 Perth

Macavity

11st 4lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Tristan Davidson

Turned over at short odds on final start for Jack Teal, and didn't offer much on his first two starts for this trainer; better when a staying on third in similar company at Uttoxeter (3m2f, good 14-1) latest; 2lb higher and others favoured.

4/1

Form: 3-9736 BF

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Winning English pointer; won a four-runner bumper at Catterick last November (1m7f, good to soft) and placed three times over hurdles; not out of it on chase debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 107y

Class 5

16:30 Cartmel

Defence Witness

11st 8lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Sam England

Justified favouritism over 2m5f on this card last year (good to soft), and added a Catterick stayers' event in the winter, both off 4lb lower; all wins on good to soft and soft but last month's Sedgefield second on good was the equal of his peak soft-ground form; chance.

9/2

2nd

3

10th Apr 2026

Good

3m 2f 59y

Class 5

15:38 Sedgefield

Defence Witness

11st 3lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Point, bumper and dual chase winner at up to 3m1f, all on slow ground; below par at Kelso latest (2m5f, good to soft); on a competitive mark if bouncing back but will need to produce better than he has previously done on good going.

7/2

7th

10

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 2

14:40 Kelso

Defence Witness

10st 2lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Progressive in cheekpieces this season, winning twice (2m5f/3m1f, good to soft/soft) and posting a good second at Sedgefield (3m2f, soft) last time; it's possible the first-time blinkers will prompt a positive reaction today but he's up in grade and a career best is necessary.

9/1

Form: 4PP6-2

Last run: 111 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Yet to win in 12 attempts over fences (and in 14 runs pointing) but fair second in a C&D handicap off this mark last time (good); each-way chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

4th Oct 2024

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

16:05 Hexham

So Be It

11st 4lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: William Young Jnr

Yet to win in 12 attempts over fences (and in 14 runs pointing) but fair second in a C&D handicap off this mark last time (good); each-way chance.

14/1

2nd

6

15th Jun 2024

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

17:27 Hexham

So Be It

11st 6lb

J: Derek Fox

T: William Young Jnr

0-16 under rules; on a handy mark based on 2023 form but hard to fancy judged on his recent form in points.

25/1

6th

7

28th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 4

14:04 Kelso

So Be It

10st 13lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: William Young Jnr

led, headed but prominent 12th, outpaced and dropped to last 4 out, soon weakened

20/1

Form: 32-344

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Point winner in 2022 (3m, good); placed in four of her nine starts over hurdles and last time was 9l fourth to Steps Match (3lb worse off) in a handicap at Perth (3m, good); chase debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

24th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

17:25 Perth

Lady Mendoza

11st 5lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Rebecca Menzies

0-14 over hurdles; returned from layoff with pretty good fourth at Cartmel (2m6f, good) in May but three lesser efforts have followed and she doesn't always look enthusiastic; headgear switched again today.

14/1

5th

7

23rd Aug 2025

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 5

15:20 Cartmel

Lady Mendoza

11st 2lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Rebecca Menzies

0-13 over hurdles; kept on for fourth here (2m6f, good) in May, after a layoff, but two lesser efforts have followed and she doesn't always look enthusiastic; needs to be perked up by change of headgear.

10/1

10th

3

16th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

17:10 Uttoxeter

Lady Mendoza

11st 3lb

J: William Maggs

T: Rebecca Menzies

Kept on for fourth at Cartmel (2m6f, good) in May, after a layoff, and may not have been suited by the soft ground when below form there last month but she's 0-12 over hurdles now and doesn't always look enthusiastic.

12/1

Form: 369-52

Last run: 120 days

W: 11st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Ex-Jedd O'Keeffe and Alan King; bought for £5,500; placed in a bumper and in a maiden hurdle but showed best form last time (June) when runner-up in a Uttoxeter handicap chase (3m, good); could go well on stable debut.
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: 223P9F

Last run: 48 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Placed in two hunter chases and a novice handicap chase in May (all at around 3m); hasn't done as well since; others stronger.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

8th Mar 2025

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 5

16:35 Ayr

Toucan Sam

10st 8lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Andrew Hamilton

His mark continues to fall but this 7yo remains a maiden after 21 rules starts and recent evidence doesn't indicate a win is imminent.

25/1

10

19th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 5

15:20 Doncaster

Toucan Sam

11st 2lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Andrew Hamilton

Made it 0-20 under rules when pulled up over fences at Ayr last week; however, before that he posted two fair runs over hurdles (2m5f/2m) and shaped as though he would benefit from this longer trip; well treated on last spring's chase form; could appreciate the return to hurdling; interesting.

33/1

9

11th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 5

16:20 Ayr

Toucan Sam

10st 13lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Andrew Hamilton

19-race maiden; placed in handicap, a couple of hunter chases and in two points last year; two fair runs over hurdles this term after wind surgery; well handicapped but others appeal more.

20/1

Form: /36-58 C

Last run: 103 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Won a bumper here in April 2021 (2m, good); yet to win over jumps and was well beaten in two handicap chases in the summer; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

4th Oct 2024

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

16:05 Hexham

Grand Du Nord

11st 2lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Micky Hammond

Won a bumper here in April 2021 (2m, good); yet to win over jumps and was well beaten in two handicap chases in the summer; others preferred.

14/1

Form: 5F5-17

Last run: 92 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Mare

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Placed in an Irish point; off the mark over hurdles when winning a mares' handicap at Kelso in May (3m2f, good to soft; visor on for first time); not so good next time; chase debut; others look stronger.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

16th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

17:10 Uttoxeter

Somebodys Fortune

10st 8lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Now 6lb lower than when holding on gamely to make winning handicap debut at Kelso (3m2f, good to soft) in May 2024 but her subsequent form has been very disappointing; needs to turn a corner.

20/1

7

8th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

17:42 Perth

Somebodys Fortune

10st 10lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell

Far from consistent but registered her sole success in first-time visor (off 4lb higher); possibilities if taking similarly well to first-time blinkers.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £18.90
Straight Forecast £18.96
Tricast £131.37
Trifecta £115.60

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Instant Gambler

SPOTLIGHT:

Steps Match

POSTDATA:

Instant Gambler

The Times:

Instant Gambler

The Guardian:

Instant Gambler

Daily Mail:

Instant Gambler

D Express:

Instant Gambler

Daily Mirror:

Instant Gambler

The Sun:

Instant Gambler

The Star:

Instant Gambler

Telegraph:

Steps Match

Daily Record:

Steps Match