Racecards
15:55 Hexham
Eldon Square Heart Of The Community Handicap Hurdle (Class 5)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 3m
- Going: Heavy
- Surface: Turf
- £3,300 added
- Winner: £2,259
- 2nd: £658
- 3rd: £329

- Form 0700-12
- Age 5
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 99
- Trainer M Todhunter
- Jockey Henry Brooke
led to 8th, weakened before 2 out, virtually pulled up

- Form P2306-3
- Age 8
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 97
- Trainer Miss Lucinda V Russell
- Jockey Grant Cockburn
towards rear, pushed along 8th, went 3rd before 2 out, plugged on and never dangerous

- Form 214-132
- Age 8
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 95
- Trainer K Tutty
- Jockey Gemma Tutty
held up in rear, headway from 7th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before last, tailed off

- Form 1243-3F
- Age 7
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 93
- Trainer Miss Lucinda V Russell
- Jockey Craig Nichol
tracked clear pair, pushed along 7th, went 2nd before 2 out, led before last, kept on well, driven out

Spruzzo
23- Form 050P5/
- Age 6
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 69
- Trainer C W Fairhurst
- Jockey F Keniry
with leader, led 8th, ridden and headed before last, one pace

Isla Patriot
137- Form U757-46
- Age 6
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 66
- Trainer N W Alexander
- Jockey P Buchanan
mid-division, weakened before 2 out
- Form 0/557-61
- Age 7
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 94
- Trainer J & S Quinn
- Jockey D C Costello
Nonrunner
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
LUCCOMBE CHINE stepped up markedly on previous efforts when encountering soft ground for the first time at Cartmel in August. She's 8lb higher now but may enjoy a fitness advantage over several of her rivals and can go in again. Spruzzo could be interesting as he's been much improved on the Flat this year, winning on soft ground over 2m at Musselburgh in June. Delightfully usually makes the frame here and makes more appeal than Almutaham and Saddlers Mot on these terms but Stormion continues to disappoint and Isla Patriot is a long way out of the handicap.
Formwatch
Almutaham (USA) 4-1 (10-12) Led, reminder before 3 out, ridden and headed after 2 out, soon beaten, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 14l behind Wheyaye (10-7) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) hvy in Jun.
Delightfully (FR) 9-2 (10-5) Chased leaders, led 3 out, headed before last, no extra and lost 2nd place final 50 yards, 3rd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Kykate (11-5) at Hexham 2m mrs hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in May.
Saddlers Mot 11-4 (10-12) Held up, headway approaching 8th, led 2 out, ridden and wandered before last, headed towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Bollin Fiona (11-0) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Jun.
Stormion (IRE) 5-2 (11-4) Leading when fell 2nd, in a race won by Cilliseal (11-5) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy, 5 ran.
Spruzzo 25-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, slow 2nd, dropped to last before 5th, soon lost touch, tailed off, 5th of 7, 28l behind Bewery Man (10-13) at Sedgefield 2m 4f sell hdl (5) gf in Apr '10.
Isla Patriot 9-2 (10-0) Towards rear, never dangerous, 6th of 15, 38l behind Almutaham (11-4) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in May.
Luccombe Chine 11-2 (11-3) Always prominent on outside, outpaced in 3rd after 2 out, ridden to chase leader after last, stayed on under pressure to lead final 50 yards, won at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Aug beating Shannina (10-4) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.