Hexham- A Georgeous Course!
Hexham on a Summer’s Day..You Can’t Beat It..
I was amazed at the drift yesterday of American Art- I got on a 5-1, I was even more amazed by the in-running prices that were being laid in the early stages of the race at Cartmel. Despite that American Art trotted up and landed us a right touch!
Not so good today, a usual Tuesday. I will be sticking with jumping and taking it easy today. Hexham is a picturesque Northumberland track which is like the Arctic in winter but gorgeous in the summer. The going is good to firm, but our horses will relish the surface and play to our strengths.
There are two horses that take my eye today, both of whom were very good winners last time out. The first is Harry Flashman (7.35) who steps up in trip after winning impressively last time out, turning over a long odds on favourite in the process, at Hexham. The trip will certainly be no problem, he was second over todays course and distance on his penultimate start. Clearly he likes Hexham, he has had 3 career runs which have yielded 2 wins and a second place. Harry Flashman is a worthy favourite today.
I think Harry Flashman has the beating of all his rivals in this average looking novice hurdle contest but Michael Hourigan always deserves respect, especially when sending horses over to England and more so on a Tuesday at Hexham. Toby Jug would be the only worry, but he has not shown much to date. The ground will certainly pose no problems and his regular jockey rides. It all adds up to a winner in my book!
Then the very next race..Graze On and On (8.05) should complete a quick double for us. John Quinn is running this 4 year-old filly quickly following a very good win last week at Towcester. That was a conditional jockeys event so she has no penalty to carry and should prove to be a very nicely handicapped horse tonight. She is stepping up in trip, but there is no worries on that score, she gave the impression, up the Towcester hill, that she is a tough staying type. With the Quinn yard in such good form and Dougie Costello taking the ride, Graze On and On should complete her hat-trick at Hexham and have us singing late in to the night. The ground is ideal for this decent filly who is my NAP of the Day!
