Luckily, I don’t have to travel too far, as I go to Hexham on Saturday for their twilight meeting.
What is it like to ride Hexham?
Though Hexham looks like a picturesque racecourse to ride at, I really don’t like it. It’s a track that you feel like you’re going well at two out, but when you get to the hill before the home straight, you can often find that your horse struggles to get up it. It doesn’t matter if it over hurdles or fences it just seems to have the same effect.
Also down the back, you are jumping downhill over hurdles and fences, and there aren’t too many tracks like that in the UK. Overall, it’s a very unique and tricky track to ride that isn’t up there with my favourites.
My rides at Hexham
4.25 – Baron De Middleton (Brian Ellison)
He’s been a good horse for Brian Ellison over the years. Last season, he showed that he still retained some of his old ability by running some good races in handicaps. He didn’t run well at Catterick last time out, but there were excuses for that. This is a selling hurdle, so on ratings, he should have a good chance, and I am hopeful he can run a big race.
6.10 – Here Comes Georgie (Patrick Neville)
He showed a lot of promise last season when he beat Cracking Rhapsody in a novice hurdle at Carlisle. That form has been well-franked, and he’s a nice prospect moving into this season. Today he will be making his chase debut in what looks like a competitive little race, though he is getting a lot of weight from his rivals. I schooled him over fences last week, and he jumped well enough. I can see him being right in the mix.
6.45 – Le Jeune Bresil (Brian Ellison)
He arrives here having been a little bit in and out of form in recent months. However, he didn’t run too badly to finish third at Wetherby last November behind a nice horse of the Skelton’s called Heltenham. I think the ground and track will be more in his favour this time around, so we should see a better run.
7.50 – Hartur d’Oudairies (Brian Ellison)
It was a good performance when he ran on well from an unpromising position to finish second at Musselburgh last month. This track will probably suit him a lot better, and I think he’s got a nice chance of being competitive.
8.25 – Boolamore Classic (Nick Alexander)
The last time we saw him, he was running a good race when he unseated Danny McMenamin at this track, two out. Today Nick is reaching for first-time cheekpieces, which should make him concentrate a little bit better. This will be his handicap debut, so I’m hoping he’s on a nice mark.
I hope you all have a good weekend, and enjoy the new jumps season!