Racecards
16:00 Hexham
Racing To School Handicap Chase (Class 5)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 3m 41y
- Going: Heavy
- Surface: Turf
- £4,200 added
- Winner: £2,729
- 2nd: £801
- 3rd: £401
- 4th: £200
- Form 4P3531
- Age 10
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 97
- Trainer P Stafford
- Jockey Jonathan Moore
towards rear, jumped slowly 3rd, headway after 11th, ridden when bumped next, outpaced in 4th before 3 out, soon weakened
- Form 611P/2F
- Age 8
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 95
- Trainer G Bewley
- Jockey Jonathon Bewley
in rear, struggling 8th, well behind when pulled up before 12th
- Form 363342
- Age 9
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 94
- Trainer V Thompson
- Jockey Thomas Dowson
pressed leader, led 3rd, headed before 5th, soon led again, headed 7th, bumped 12th, weakened before next
- Form 4P3214
- Age 8
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 93
- Trainer N W Alexander
- Jockey Lucy Alexander
tracked leaders, lost place 3rd, ridden after 7th, struggling when pulled up before 12th
- Form 234-P56
- Age 7
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 92
- Trainer J Bewley
- Jockey Callum Bewley
tracked leaders, outpaced from 3 out, 3rd and beaten after next, weakened before last
- Form 10-1012
- Age 12
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 91
- Trainer J Hodge
- Jockey Grant Cockburn
led until 3rd, prominent, led 12th, 4 lengths clear last, stayed on, ridden out
- Form 926545
- Age 9
- Weight 10-9
- Official Rating 80
- Trainer Miss T Jackson
- Jockey Finian O'Toole
mid-division, outpaced 8th, behind when pulled up before 12th
- Form 6-134PP
- Age 7
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 78
- Trainer J C Haynes
- Jockey Callum Whillans
chased leaders, closed 4th, led briefly before next, led again 7th, hung left and headed 12th, 4 lengths off winner last, no impression flat, stayed on same pace
Verdict
GIBBSTOWN came right back to her best over course and distance last month. Paul Stafford's mare only had to be pushed out to beat Flaming Thistle by five lengths with The Bishop a further 16 lengths backing fourth and she mat be capable of defying a 9lb rise in the weights to double up. Joseph Mercer looks held on a line through The Bishop but King Of The Dark is interesting as stepping up to 3m might help his cause, though he has no concrete form on going this heavy. Brae On has won off today's mark over hurdles but still appears to have a bit to learn about jumping fences.
Formwatch
Gibbstown (IRE) 7-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders from 4th, poised to challenge in 3rd 3 out, went 2nd after next, led before last, soon clear, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Hexham 3m hcp (5) sft in Mar beating Flaming Thistle (11-6) by 5l, 7 ran.
Brae On (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Held up in rear, fell 4th, at Carlisle 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Apr.
King Of The Dark (IRE) 7-2 (11-8) Close up, led 3 out, headed next, rider soon dropped whip, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Attimo (11-13) at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Apr.
The Bishop (IRE) 2-1fav (11-8) With leaders, led 3 out, ridden and headed before last, soon no impression with front pair, lost 3rd closing stages, 4th of 7, 21l behind Gibbstown (11-3) at Hexham 3m hcp (5) sft in Mar.
Major Ridge (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Held up mid-division, weakened before 4 out, 6th of 12, dist behind Whats Up Woody (11-12) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (4) gs in Apr.
Flaming Thistle (IRE) 11-2 (11-6) Led narrowly to 4th, remained prominent, outpaced in 5th after 4 out, rallied after 2 out, went 2nd before last, kept on same pace, no impression with winner flat, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Gibbstown (11-3) at Hexham 3m hcp (5) sft in Mar.
Joseph Mercer (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) With leaders, led before 3 out, headed 2 out, soon outpaced, 5th of 8, 23 1/4l behind The Bishop (11-0) at Hexham 3m hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
Maz Majecc (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, mistake 6th, weakened before 12th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 4 out, at Hexham 3m hcp (4) hvy in Mar.