March 25 / 14.50 Hexham

14.50

Good To Soft

Racing To School Handicap Hurdle (Div II)

  • Prize money: £4805.71
  • 2m 4f 28y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Racing To School Handicap Hurdle (Div II)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.80
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 593137 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Stayed on for fair third on handicap debut over 2m here (good) in November and won over this C&D (soft) next time; fair third of 16 at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) in January and not seen to best effect at Catterick last time (3m1f, good to soft; made mistakes); could bounce back with bold show.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

16

27th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 56y

Class 4

15:20 Wetherby

Forest Blaze

10st 10lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Mark Walford

Below par at Ayr last time, ending a consistent spell of form; rebound looks possible but this is a difficult task and he's still seeking a first win away from Hexham.

33/1

5th

7

6th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

16:20 Ayr

Forest Blaze

11st 3lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Mark Walford

Placed on consecutive starts in cheekpieces here (2m4f/2m3f) in December/January and again ran well when close second in first-time visor at Wetherby (2m3f, soft) on latest outing; contests this competitive race from a career-high mark but still enters calculations.

8/1

7/1

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 12/0P1

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent 9yo who likes Catterick, where he returned to form with a win last month (3m1f, good to soft); needs to back up that performance but he's run well here in the past and is entitled to respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

14

21st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 66y

Class 4

14:20 Catterick

Bollin Neil

11st 4lb

J: Mr William Easterby

T: Tim Easterby

Eight-time winner here (Flat and jumps) who has been running respectably over further at this venue since November; drop back in trip asks a question but he's impossible to rule out.

7/1

5th

3

(3)

28th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

15:10 Catterick

Bollin Neil

9st 13lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Prolific winner who arrives seeking a hat-trick, after winning over C&D (soft) and 1m6f (good) here this month; back up a total of 7lb so this looks a tougher assignment but still has pretty strong claims.

9/4

5th

3

(3)

28th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 7f 189y

Class 6

15:10 Catterick

Bollin Neil

9st 13lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

Prolific winner who arrives seeking a hat-trick, after winning over C&D (soft) and 1m6f (good) here this month; back up a total of 7lb so this looks a tougher assignment but still has pretty strong claims.

9/4

OUR TIP

7/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: /16182 D

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 9lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
10yo who is inconsistent but he's won twice for his new yard this season and bumped into a well-handicapped winner when 16l runner-up at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) last time; could have a part to play.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

2

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:35 Newcastle

Aquitaine Boy

11st 11lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ruth Jefferson

Has a patchy profile but he got hampered when unseating over C&D last month and is now only 2lb higher than when winning this race (good to soft) last year; that was a brave success and he's a player if he can recapture that form.

10/1

4th

5

20th Apr 2025

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 5

16:20 Market Rasen

Aquitaine Boy

11st 8lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Ruth Jefferson

raced in third

5/1

4th

5

20th Apr 2025

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 5

16:20 Market Rasen

Aquitaine Boy

11st 8lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Ruth Jefferson

raced in third

5/1

Form: -73755 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Fair third at Kelso in November and now 3lb lower but he's failed to shine on his three starts since and needs to raise his game.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

6th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

16:00 Kelso

Maillot Blanc

11st 12lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: N W Alexander

Won a 3m Perth handicap last term (good); comes into the reckoning following two sound runs last month when third over 2m6f here (good; form sound) and when second over 3m at Perth (good).

4/1

2nd

4

22nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

17:12 Perth

Maillot Blanc

11st 6lb

J: Miss Jesika Rennie

T: N W Alexander

C&D winner off 3lb lower last June (good); clear of the remainder when 3.5l third in a decent race at Kelso last time (2m5f, good; winner went on to win 2m Scottish Champion Hurdle); has won on soft; interesting contender.

9/2

3rd

8

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 4

16:15 Kelso

Maillot Blanc

10st 3lb

J: Dominic Hislop

T: N W Alexander

Runner-up off this mark over C&D (good to soft) in November; however, this inconsistent 9yo has won just two of his 27 starts and was down the field at Musselburgh later in November when last seen; others appeal more.

14/1

Form: 6-86P4

Last run: 12 days

W: 10st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Hasn't achieved much but his saddle slipped when pulled up on handicap debut at Newcastle on March 3, and he made late headway when 15l fourth here (2m, good to soft) on March 13; his useful pedigree also suggests he'll be suited by this step back up in trip; interesting contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 61y

Class 5

14:23 Carlisle

Rock N Roll Champ

10st 5lb

J: Edward Austin

T: Sandy Forster

Gave pretty good account before fading into fifth at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft) on Tuesday but he's 0-11 over hurdles now and has to compete from just out of the weights.

16/1

5th

9

31st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

17:00 Newcastle

Rock N Roll Champ

10st 4lb

J: Edward Austin

T: Sandy Forster

13-race maiden; mainly fair efforts since returning from a break on last five starts; on a career-low mark; not without a chance;

14/1

Form: P-4042 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 5lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
10yo who doesn't appear to be the force of old but he ran well when second at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) last month and is one to consider on the back of that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

16th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 218y

Class 5

15:42 Carlisle

Coral Blue

11st 0lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Daragh Bourke

10yo who is a five-time hurdle winner and ran well when second at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) in February; however, his campaign concluded with two lesser performances and he returns from some time off today.

20/1

7th

9

19th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 61y

Class 4

17:12 Carlisle

Coral Blue

10st 11lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Daragh Bourke

Without a victory since early 2023 but he comes here in good order, ridden too aggressively when a fading sixth in 2m4f Hexham handicap 25 days ago; considered with cheekpieces refitted.

12/1

7th

9

19th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 61y

Class 4

17:12 Carlisle

Coral Blue

10st 11lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Daragh Bourke

Without a victory since early 2023 but he comes here in good order, ridden too aggressively when a fading sixth in 2m4f Hexham handicap 25 days ago; considered with cheekpieces refitted.

12/1

Form: 5/6582

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Following wind surgery he took a step back in the right direction when 11l second over 2m at Ayr this month; needs to build on that latest performance but it's possible the step back up in trip will be a plus.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

25th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

14:50 Hexham

Its Dan

11st 6lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: R Mike Smith

Following wind surgery he took a step back in the right direction when 11l second over 2m at Ayr this month; needs to build on that latest performance but it's possible the step back up in trip will be a plus.

5/1

2nd

5

7th Mar 2025

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

15:35 Ayr

Its Dan

11st 10lb

J: Ben Smith

T: R Mike Smith

Maiden hurdler who came in only eighth of 12 in 2m5f handicap here 46 days ago; has since undergone breathing surgery and needs to take a big step forward.

25/1

8th

2

20th Jan 2025

Soft

2m 5f 91y

Class 5

13:50 Ayr

Its Dan

11st 13lb

J: Ben Smith

T: R Mike Smith

midfield

20/1

Form: 0-43P

Last run: 89 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
16-1 when pulled up on handicap debut at Wetherby (2m3f, good to soft) in December and it's hard to be confident on the back of that, but the subsequent break may have helped and two starts ago he stayed on for a promising third in a novice at Carlisle (2m1f, soft); not written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 2

14:40 Kelso

Bridge Court

11st 1lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Sandy Thomson

Runner-up at Catterick in December on first two chase starts (2m3f, good to soft/good) and bounced back from lesser show at Haydock to win at Musselburgh (2m7f, soft) last month; hit with 8lb rise for last time but he had plenty in hand and could still be well treated.

13/2

1st

7

15th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 138y

Class 4

16:20 Musselburgh

Bridge Court

10st 7lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Sandy Thomson

Still not fully exposed over fences but his second-place finishes in December were achieved over 2m3f in Class 5 at Catterick; bit to prove in this scenario/grade.

4/1

5th

7

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 4

12:15 Haydock

Bridge Court

10st 8lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Sandy Thomson

Point runner-up who improved for the switch to fences when second at Catterick (2m3f, good to soft) last month and got even closer to a first win when beaten a nose there (2m3f, good) 12 days later; could be bang there.

11/2

Form: 5282P5 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Won for Dan Skelton at Worcester last September and twice runner-up for this yard in November/January; however, she hasn't been at her best the last twice and a return to form is needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

16:22 Perth

Santa Clarita

10st 2lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: William Young Jnr

Two good efforts at about 2m5f in midwinter but she's been pulled up on her latest two starts and can only watch from 6lb wrong.

33/1

13

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

16:22 Perth

Santa Clarita

10st 2lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: William Young Jnr

Two good efforts at about 2m5f in midwinter but she's been pulled up on her latest two starts and can only watch from 6lb wrong.

33/1

Form: 063043

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 7yo who was a fair third at Bangor (2m3f, heavy) last month on his third handicap start, but needs a bigger performance today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

25th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

14:50 Hexham

Tan Law

10st 12lb

J: Ross Chapman

T: Stuart Coltherd

Lightly raced 7yo who was a fair third at Bangor (2m3f, heavy) last month on his third handicap start, but needs a bigger performance today.

9/1

3rd

7

26th Feb 2025

Heavy

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

16:35 Bangor-on-Dee

Tan Law

11st 1lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

in touch with leaders, headway after 6th, went second after 3 out (usual 4 out), lost second before last, soon weakened

16/1

4th

4

5th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 3f 9y

Class 5

14:05 Sedgefield

Tan Law

11st 7lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Stuart Coltherd

midfield on outer

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £32.90
Straight Forecast £33.41
Tricast £170.96
Trifecta £165.90

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Bollin Neil

The Times:

Tan Law

D Express:

It's Dan

Daily Mail:

Forest Blaze

SPOTLIGHT:

Rock N Roll Champ

Daily Mirror:

Aquitaine Boy

The Guardian:

Tan Law

The Sun:

It's Dan

POSTDATA:

Bollin Neil

Telegraph:

Bollin Neil

The Star:

Bollin Neil

Daily Record:

Bollin Neil