Hexham 2.25

 

A similar war of attrition likely and may not suit the fancier types at the head of the market.

 

Cudgel; Golan Cloud and The Very Thing could well finish 1-2-3- with the rest out of sight but I'm not sure any of them are well handicapped now, not sure any are best in these conditions and want to take them on. 

 

Wind Of Hope for Alastair Whillans is a real threat, ticks all boxes except the handicap mark and that just puts him 3rd in my list. If you want a pair of Trackers in the race play him for 1/2 point but I'll advise just the pair in terms of proofing.

 

Both are from the Rose Dobbin yard. ESPOIR MORVIERE is solid, trip and going are fine and the horse is fit enough, the mark is a bit on the high side but i just sense it's more suited to market leaders to these conditions.

 

The more interesting one is FINAL FLING who I remember winning a few for us back in 2017/2018. It was then off for 641 days and has taken time to get back to any kind of form and fitness. Some of it's runs though have seen it finish within 8-10 lengths of decent horses and it's shown it does retain a chunk of that old ability. The conditions will be a leveller and it may not be as sharp as it was but the nature and style of this race may suit it. Its wins before injury were off 94 and 101 , I don't think its capable of that any more but off 90 with a decent 7 lbs Claimer up, the clever trainer has given it every chance. I'm a bit intrigued as to why she claims off this and not the other one, a plot maybe?