March 12 / 16.22 Hexham

16.22

Heavy

mybettingsites.com /Find & Compare Irish Bookies’ Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £5281
  • 3m 0f 41y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
SKY
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mybettingsites.com /Find & Compare Irish Bookies’ Handicap Chase

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

OUR TIP

Form: 144F35 D

Last run: 40 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Won a four-runner handicap at Southwell last May (good); two fair efforts for today's rider this year, last time finishing 14.5l fifth of seven at Musselburgh (2m7f, good to soft); each-way chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

10th Jul 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:35 Worcester

Always Busy

11st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Stamina to spare at tonight's trip, and he's representing last year's race-winning trainer and rider combination; never especially consistent, however, and last month's Hexham disappointment as favourite took his chasing strike-rate to 2-16; unclear what to expect.

5/1

6th

4

6th Jun 2026

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 4

18:10 Hexham

Always Busy

11st 8lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

1lb above last winning mark (3m, Southwell); knocking on the door at Taunton (3m4f; third) on penultimate start, and might have had a role to play in the Norfolk National at Fakenham (3m5f) latest but for falling three out.

9/2

10

4th May 2026

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 3

16:38 Fakenham

Always Busy

10st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Back in good nick for his two runs last month, latterly when close third to Wicked Thoughts at Taunton (3m4f, good); still unexposed over marathon trips and still on a workable mark; could have a say.

7/1

Form: 3-3114 D

Last run: 53 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
In good form this season, winning over 3m at Wetherby and Uttoxeter in December (soft/good to soft) before fourth in stronger company at Windsor last time (3m4f, soft); chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

24th Apr 2026

Good

3m 6f 121y

Class 3

14:05 Perth

Express Surprise

11st 1lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Only defeat in his last four races came in a good-quality 3m4f handicap at Windsor; jumped well and stayed on best at Chepstow last time (2m7f, soft) where the front two pulled well clear; raised 7lb but Ned Fox takes away 3lb out of that; respected.

13/2

1st

6

15th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

15:20 Chepstow

Express Surprise

11st 11lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Clive Boultbee-Brooks

Back-to-back wins at Wetherby (3m, soft) and Uttoxeter (3m, good to soft) before finding a Class 3 beyond him at Windsor (3m4f), though didn't run at all badly; considered back at this level.

4/1

Form: 523322 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Has run creditably on last five starts, finishing second behind progressive Bo Cruz on last two occasions (3m/3m1f, soft); each-way chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

9th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 4

16:30 Hexham

Court At Slip

11st 2lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Tim Easterby

Pulled up over 4m here last time (soft); plenty of decent placed efforts in 3m chases before that; has an each-way chance.

8/1

8

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 7f 199y

Class 4

15:41 Hexham

Court At Slip

10st 12lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Tim Easterby

Without a win since December 2023 but this consistent sort has finished second at Catterick (3m1f/3m, soft) on his last two starts and ran well over 3m6f there in January 2024; each-way claims.

8/1

Form: 533UUF

Last run: 3 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Fair hurdler; yet to complete the course in his four runs over fences, but was travelling strongly when falling two out at Stratford on Monday (2m6f, soft); risky proposition, but would have a chance with a clear round.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

18th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

13:52 Bangor-on-Dee

Streamsforth Lad

12st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Gary Hanmer

Jumping has been an issue but it's improved in his last two races when runner-up behind winners who were well backed and well handicapped; has course form; big shout.

6/1

2nd

3

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

15:30 Hexham

Streamsforth Lad

11st 11lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Gary Hanmer

He's fallen/unseated on three of his five starts over hurdles but was going well when exiting two out at Stratford (2m6f, soft) last month and ran well when runner-up to well-backed winner at Bangor (3m, good) a fortnight ago; major player granted a clear round.

7/2

2nd

4

31st Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

16:20 Bangor-on-Dee

Streamsforth Lad

11st 12lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Gary Hanmer

Maiden; three times third over hurdles; 0-4 over fences and yet to complete the course, yet he was bang in contention when falling two out at Stratford three weeks ago (2m6f, soft; has form on good); if avoiding the mistakes he should have a role to play.

7/2

Form: PP-647

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Won a handicap chase off 6lb higher at Kelso in April 2024 (2m5f, soft); mixed form this season, best run when fourth in a handicap hurdle at Ayr in January (2m5f, soft); bit to prove after a poor chase run last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 4

16:46 Kelso

Raceview Road

10st 11lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

He's well handicapped on his 2024 chase form (won here) but his subsequent profile has been mixed and he was soundly beaten when back over fences at Carlisle two months ago; others have more pressing claims.

14/1

7th

5

3rd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 5

16:04 Carlisle

Raceview Road

11st 5lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

Lost his way over fences last season but he kept on for an encouraging fourth of 19 over hurdles at Ayr (2m4f, soft) last month and has a handy mark to work with now back chasing, with the step back up in trip a plus.

14/1

Form: -74464 BF

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner who has yet to win over jumps; some fair runs over fences this season, including when 16.5l last of four at Ayr last time (3m, soft; first run after wind op); each-way chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

12

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

15:52 Carlisle

Swallows Song

10st 2lb

J: William Maggs

T: Iain Jardine

Close second at Newcastle (2m7f Class 5) last weekend but looks far from certain to go one better; out of the weights in this better race and 0-17 since debut win.

20/1

2nd

5

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

16:35 Newcastle

Swallows Song

11st 9lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Iain Jardine

Bumper winner; yet to win over jumps but fair fourth at Ayr last time (3m, soft) on first run after wind surgery; should go well again.

6/1

Form: 1314P4 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Has won twice over C&D on good to soft this season, the latest in October; hasn't done quite as well since and this softer ground a slight concern.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

19th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 28y

Class 5

16:40 Sedgefield

Ballydangan

10st 7lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Hugh Burns

Two wins at Hexham (3m, good to soft) last year and on a handy mark on that form; soft ground may not have suited here last time but he's now been well below par on his last two starts and has to get back on track.

12/1

4th

3

19th Feb 2026

3m 2f 59y

Class 5

15:08 Sedgefield

Ballydangan

11st 3lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Hugh Burns

Won twice over 3m at Hexham last year (good); pulled up when returning from a short break at Catterick last time; conditions perhaps not ideal and a bit to prove.

9/1

Abandoned

Form: 8-15P9 CD

Last run: 46 days

W: 10st 3lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Winner over C&D in November (good to soft) but has been disappointing since; bit to prove at present.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

16:35 Newcastle

Eveque

10st 13lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Jane Walton

Won at Hexham in November (3m, good to soft); very disappointing since; best watched for now.

33/1

Form: 5-F5PP CD

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 3lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Returned to form to win this race on good to soft last year (also a C&D winner in April 2023); has failed to finish in three of his four runs this season; needs to bounce back again.
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: 645632 C

Last run: 31 days

W: 10st 2lb

10 yo Mare

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Creditable second of four at Catterick last time (3m1f, soft); 5lb out of the handicap and 0-17 over fences but has an each-way chance on that form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

21st Jun 2026

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 4

16:13 Hexham

West Lawn

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: James Walton

Off the mark at 20th attempt over fences when winning here in May (3m, good); decent fourth next time (3m, good); place chance.

12/1

4th

9

6th Jun 2026

Good

3m 0f 41y

Class 4

18:10 Hexham

West Lawn

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: James Walton

Took advantage of a final-fence error from The Clonmel Kid to get off the mark over fences at the 20th attempt over C&D (good; 10-1) 18 days ago; effectively 6lb higher from out of the weights today and her task is tougher; others preferred.

15/2

1st

8

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

19:20 Hexham

West Lawn

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: James Walton

0-19 over fences and has struggled in her last two starts, both over C&D; being 9lb wrong in the handicap doesn't help.

50/1

Form: 68P-PP C

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 2lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Third in a point in January, but pulled up in handicap chases on both starts since; stiff task from 12lb out of the handicap.
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

Verdict

Although it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if Gibberwell were to repeat his 2025 win despite some poor runs recently, EXPRESS SURPRISE has far better credentials and is taken to win from Court At Slip and Swallows Song.[Colin Russell]

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Court At Slip

SPOTLIGHT:

Express Surprise

TOPSPEED:

Express Surprise

The Times:

Express Surprise

D Express:

Express Surprise

The Sun:

Express Surprise

The Star:

Express Surprise

POSTDATA:

Court At Slip

Telegraph:

Court At Slip

The Guardian:

Court At Slip

Daily Mail:

Court At Slip

Daily Mirror:

Court At Slip

Daily Record:

Court At Slip