The Stage Is Set at Hexham

Saturday, 5 September 2026. The sun is dipping, the season is turning, and Hexham is about to host one of the most compelling Group 3 contests of the entire flat campaign. The William Hill September Stakes — 1m 3f 219y of relentless, grinding, soul-searching racing — is the kind of race that separates the pretenders from the genuine article.

With £95,000 in prize money on the line and a field of seven that reads like a who's who of middle-distance quality, this is no ordinary Saturday afternoon. The going is Standard to Slow, the draw is tight, and the stories behind these horses are rich enough to fill a novel. Buckle up.

You can view the full Hexham racecard for all the details on Saturday's card.

Contender-by-Contender Breakdown

Gethin (4yo, Rating 117) — The One They All Have to Beat

Owen Burrows sends out the top-rated horse in the field and, frankly, Gethin arrives here with the profile of a horse on a mission. Rated 117 and already a course winner at Hexham, Callum Rodriguez takes the ride from stall 3 — a lovely pitch in a seven-runner field. He's proven he handles this track, he's proven he belongs at this level, and Burrows is a trainer who doesn't pitch up to Group races without a plan. This is the one to beat.

Tornado Alert (4yo, Rating 116) — Bin Suroor's Secret Weapon

Saeed bin Suroor saddles two in this race, and while Dubai Future grabs attention for other reasons, Tornado Alert is the one that sets pulses racing in the Godolphin camp. Rated 116 and drawn widest of all in stall 7, Oisin Murphy — one of the finest jockeys in the world — takes the reins. Murphy doesn't take rides lightly at this level. No course form on record, but a horse of this quality with that jockey is never, ever to be dismissed. Watch for him making a sweeping move from the outside in the final quarter-mile.

Pride of Arras (4yo, Rating 114) — Beckett's Distance Specialist

Ralph Beckett has built his reputation on getting the very best out of middle-distance horses, and Pride of Arras fits that mould perfectly. The distance winner tag is hugely significant at 1m 3f 219y — this gelding has already shown he stays every yard of this trip and relishes it. Rossa Ryan takes the ride from stall 4, right in the heart of the field. Drawn ideally, proven at the distance, trained by a master — Pride of Arras is a serious each-way proposition.

Dubai Future (10yo, Rating 113) — The Old Warrior Rides Again

Ten years old and still lining up in Group 3 company. You simply have to admire Dubai Future. This extraordinary gelding is a course winner AND a distance winner at Hexham — the only horse in the field to tick both boxes simultaneously. Jack Mitchell knows this horse inside out, and from stall 6, he'll be looking to use that course craft to maximum effect. Standard to Slow going? A ten-year-old veteran with proven stamina? Don't write him off for a moment. The old boy could absolutely steal this.

Almeric (4yo, Rating 112) — Balding's Dark Horse

Andrew Balding is a trainer who quietly goes about his business and then produces something special when the big occasion arrives. Almeric arrives here rated 112 — the joint-lowest rating in the field — but Balding's record in Group races is not to be sniffed at. Rob Hornby is a smart jockey who rides with his head, and from stall 5, Almeric has a clean route through the field. No form flags to shout about, which makes him something of a wildcard — but sometimes that's exactly what you want at a price.

Constitution Hill (9yo, Rating 101) — A Legend in the Wrong Race?

Here's the elephant in the paddock. Constitution Hill is, of course, a name that resonates far beyond the flat racing world. Nicky Henderson's nine-year-old gelding — a course and distance winner, remarkably — lines up here rated just 101, the lowest in the field by some margin. Billy Loughnane takes the ride from stall 2. The course and distance form is intriguing, but at this level, against horses rated 12-16 pounds higher, it's hard to make a compelling case. A sentimental watch, certainly. A betting proposition? Much harder to justify.

Going and Draw: The Hidden Factors

The Standard to Slow going is absolutely pivotal here. This is not a surface for flashy, free-running types — it rewards stamina, grit, and horses that truly stay the trip. That immediately boosts the claims of Dubai Future and Pride of Arras, both proven distance winners who will relish every yard of the 1m 3f 219y journey.

In a seven-runner field, the draw is less of a lottery than it might be in a big handicap, but stall positioning still matters. Gethin in stall 3 and Pride of Arras in stall 4 look ideally positioned — close enough to the pace to be in contention without burning energy fighting for position. Tornado Alert in stall 7 is the widest drawn, and on a Standard to Slow surface, Murphy will need to be patient and measured before unleashing that challenge.

Warrant Holder (stall 1, tongue tie) is worth a mention as a distance winner drawn on the rail — Benoit de la Sayette could find a cosy lead if he wants it, though the tongue tie suggests there may be some management required.

Value Picks and Dangers

  • Best Bet: Gethin — top-rated, course winner, ideal draw, top trainer and jockey combination.
  • Each-Way Value: Pride of Arras — proven at the distance, perfect draw, Beckett at his best.
  • Each-Way Punt: Dubai Future — course AND distance winner, veteran savvy, Mitchell partnership. Don't overlook him at a price.
  • Danger: Tornado Alert — Oisin Murphy doesn't take rides like this without confidence. He could blow them all away.
  • Swerve: Constitution Hill — beloved, yes. Likely to win this? The ratings say no.

Our Selection: Gethin to Deliver

When you strip it all back, Gethin is the most compelling package in this race. He's the highest-rated horse in the field at 117, he's already proven he handles Hexham, Callum Rodriguez is riding with real confidence this season, and Owen Burrows has him primed for a big performance. The Standard to Slow going won't inconvenience a horse of his quality.

The danger — and it's a genuine one — comes from Tornado Alert with Murphy aboard. If the Godolphin raider travels well and Murphy produces that trademark late surge, this could go right down to the wire. But on ratings, course form, and trainer intent, Gethin gets the nod.

Pride of Arras is the each-way play. Proven at the distance, beautifully drawn, and Beckett rarely runs a horse in a Group 3 without believing it can hit the frame. Back him to make the first three at a tempting price.

Don't miss a beat on Saturday — check the full Hexham racecard and get your bets on early. This one will fly by.

Who Is the Favourite for the William Hill September Stakes 2026?

Gethin is expected to head the market as the highest-rated runner in the field at 117. The four-year-old colt trained by Owen Burrows arrives as a proven course winner at Hexham, and with Callum Rodriguez in the saddle, he ticks virtually every box. Tornado Alert, rated 116 with Oisin Murphy aboard, is likely to be pushed forward as the main market rival.

Does the Going Suit the Runners in the September Stakes?

The Standard to Slow ground will play a significant role in Saturday's outcome. It favours genuine stayers and horses with proven stamina — which is great news for Dubai Future and Pride of Arras, both distance winners. Horses that prefer quick, zippy ground may find conditions more testing than ideal, so the going report is essential reading before finalising your bets.

Is Dubai Future Worth Backing at His Age?

Absolutely worth considering each-way. At ten years old, Dubai Future is the veteran of the field — but he's a course AND distance winner at Hexham, which no other runner can claim. Jack Mitchell knows him inside out, the Standard to Slow going suits a horse of his proven stamina, and at what will likely be a generous price, he represents genuine each-way value in a wide-open Group 3.