COMMANDING SPIRIT 3.30 HEXHAM
Micky Hammonds record in this race reads 1211 and Commanding Spirit is his representative this year. He shares very similar traits to the three winners in as much he had a prep at the track before winning this. Hammond has done very well with him as in the last year Commanding Spirit has saw his mark drop 20lbs. He was given the perfect prep for this last time and despite being a 12 race maiden under rules, Hammond knows exactly how to win this and the horse will be cherry ripe.
Mcgintys Dream is in good form but his mark has gone over 90. He is 0-3 in the 90s without placing. He isnt a big horse and he doesnt carry weight well. He is 0-8, never placed, when carrying more than 10-10.
Westend Theatre was showered and off to Hexham town centre before Mcgintys Dream finished when they met last December. That was Westend Theatres only ever win. He is 0-5 on his seasonal debut and last season he finished third beaten 17ls. On a line through the second he cant beat Commading Spirit on these terms.
A Ladies Milan would have a chance on good ground but his record on soft ground or slower reads 0-5, never placed.
Slainte Mhor is the second Lucinda Russell runner in the race. However, the record of the highest rated horse in handicap chases of 0-110 or less on heavy ground at Hexham reads 0-17 and horses that have to carry more than 11-8 are 0-14 so he has big negative trends to overcome.
Costly Dream was just under 4ls in front of Commanding Spirit when they met here last month and on similar terms he can be fancied to finish in front again. Difference here is the latter wasnt trying that day. Costly Dream is yet to place in four races on soft or heavy.
Rollerball Rocco is a weak finisher and doesnt stay a yard beyod 24f, 0-8, never placed. He is yet to place after a break/of 120 days or more, 0-3.
Too Wise Man has the weight stat to overcome. As well as the top weights being 0-17, the second top rated horses in 0-110 or less handicap chases on heavy at Hexham are 1-17.
Just Georgie comes from a yard bang out of form though the Smiths had three placed at Sedgefield on Thursday from three runners so maybe they are turning the corner. Just Georgie has been in decline for a while as he hasnt won since February 2018 and he hasnt placed since April 2018. The closest he has got to a winner was 19ls.
Farran Dancer has nothing to recommend him other than the fact he is a bad horses in a bad race.
Conclusion: This will be attritional in this ground and I dare say they will be walking at the finish. However, Micky Hammond knows how to win this and with his horse following the same path as Square Viviani, Frank The Slink and Verko, his chance is transparent. Commanding Spirit won his point by 25ls on heavy ground with 11-11 on his back. He will think he has been let loose with two stone less to carry.
