Hexham Wednesday 8th December

 

The more that I looked at this race, one horse at a very nice price stood out, we'll come on to him.

 

It's going to be deep and attritional and I'm looking for form in the ground and at this trip and ideally a fair bit further.

 

Folks Like Us travels a long way from South Wales but has no form yet on heavy going. Jelski has won in the deep past on heavy but more of a summer type recent and has been off for 100 days for James Moffatt who also runs Lady Bowes who has been off for 209 days but who could be a live danger as it won on this Card in 2020 but had run prior to that. A possible shrapnel bet if you want one close to the off if the price is steady or falling.

 

Cash Again will be a danger for Ben Haslams yard, a Course winner and a Distance winner elsewhere, runs off its last winning Chase mark which is 4lbs above its last winning hurdle mark of 98, not totally convinced in this Going though. Sophia Olivia too will be a danger a Course and Distance winner off a mark of 108 in the past, runs off a mark of 96 and interesting on that but not really evidence that it'll appreciate the Going especially.

 

The one they all have to beat is Stoney River, it's on a nice mark, has had a run, the underfoot conditions should be OK and if you want a win saver I would not put you off.

 

The one that stands out for me though is RYEDALE RACER off top weight. A Course and Distance winner, has had a run, has performed well in higher Grades in the past but when winning in a Class 4 at 80/1 off a mark of 118 the Trainer did note it appreciated the easier Grade and it has run well on soft and heavy Going. Off a mark of 110 with a 5lbs Claimer, I'd gobble up 25/1 as early as possible...I'll be very disappointed if it's not placed at least.

 

I'll do a crafty TRicast perm with Stoney River and Sophia Olivia too.

 

TRACKER - Ryedale Racer (see T/Cast perm suggestion and win saver thoughts)

 

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In the 3.20 race I really can't see past ESPOIR MORVIERE - if it went 4/1 I'd lump on each way but a win bet at 3/1 otherwise. I'd be worried about the ground for Askgarmor, Great Raffles has glimmers of form at a price, LATE DATE @ 14/1 has run OK on soft and over further and if fit off 76 day break might be worth a small shrapnel investment, Skipness has one little bit of form but basically disappointing and Rivabidova has all the right form in the past but very disappointing of late and at the odds is a shade too risky for me. I'll watch FAME AND HOPE and track it after today as off a break of 200 days it will surely benefit from the run, had it have had one it would have been an each way bet.

 

TIP - Espoir Morviere (win or each way is punter discretion) - have a shrapnel bet on Late Date @ 14/1 if you wish