Evening Action at Hexham
Right then, eight races under the lights at Hexham tonight and I'm already reaching for the thermos. March evenings in Northumberland aren't exactly Barbados, but there's decent prize money on offer and some proper competitive racing to get stuck into.
The track's been rotavated to 120mm deep and compressed back to standard to slow going, which translates to 'bring your wellies and back the mudlarks' in plain English. Check out the full Hexham racecard for all the form details, but let me walk you through the key contenders who should relish getting their toes dirty tonight.
Feature Race: The Class 2 Handicap (6:30pm)
The £26,000 Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Handicap is the evening's centrepiece, and what a cracking contest it shapes up to be. Seven runners over seven furlongs, with ratings spanning from 85 to 104 - that's the sort of competitive spread that gets the pulse racing.
Mount Athos heads the weights off 104 for James Tate, and the seven-year-old comes here with course and distance form in the locker. Daniel Muscutt takes the ride on Serengeti (103), who represents James Ferguson's in-form yard. But it's Golden Mind for Richard Fahey that catches my eye - rated 102, course and distance winner, and John Egan knows his way around this track blindfolded.
The going is crucial here. Standard to slow will suit the proven mudlarks, and both Mount Athos and Golden Mind have shown they can handle cut in the ground. Serengeti is more of an unknown quantity on this surface, which might just tip the scales.
Early Fillies' Action
We kick off at 4:55pm with the EBF Fillies' Restricted Novice Stakes, and this looks a two-horse race on paper. Moonshine tops the ratings at 77 with Kieran Shoemark aboard for Ed Walker's yard. She's got the form figures to suggest she's a cut above this level.
But don't write off the unrated pair at the foot of the field. Thai Princess carries the Balding-Murphy combination that's been firing in winners lately, while Oisin Murphy wouldn't be making the trip north for a no-hoper. The slow going might just level the playing field more than the ratings suggest.
Competitive Handicap Action
The 7pm Virgin Bet Fives Handicap over a mile is a proper puzzle with thirteen runners, but there's some decent course form to work with. Final Night has won here before and Rossa Ryan's booking suggests connections fancy their chances. Rey de La Batalla is another with course and distance form, though at five years old he's getting on a bit for this level.
Caph Star catches the eye at 73, with Rob Hornby taking the ride. The seven-year-old is proven over course and distance, and this slower surface should be right up his street. Sometimes the old stagers know exactly what's required at tracks like Hexham.
The 7:30pm sprint handicap over six furlongs looks wide open. Amazonian Dream and Al Barez share top weight at 75, both with course and distance wins to their names. But in these competitive handicaps, it's often worth looking at the horses coming down the weights. Em Four represents the Osborne father-daughter team with Saffie taking the ride - that combination has been among the winners lately.
Ones to Watch Tonight
If I'm having a punt tonight, Golden Mind in the feature race gets the nod each-way. The Fahey horse has the class, the course form, and crucially the right jockey for the conditions. John Egan's record at Hexham speaks for itself.
In the early fillies' race, Thai Princess might be worth a speculative punt at bigger odds. The Balding yard is in good form, Oisin Murphy doesn't travel for no reason, and unrated three-year-olds can improve rapidly at this time of year.
For the mile handicap, Caph Star appeals as a solid each-way proposition. Course winner, distance winner, handles the ground, and Rob Hornby knows what he's doing. Sometimes the simple angles are the best ones.
The slow going will be the evening's defining factor - it'll sort the wheat from the chaff and reward those horses who genuinely handle the conditions. Hexham on a soft evening in March isn't everyone's cup of tea, but for those who get it right, there are prizes to be won. Wrap up warm and may the best mudlark win.
