Poz
Hope this is of some assistance
PARADE RING
Look for a horse that is alert but relaxed. This indicates it understands the task in hand. Basically, you are looking for a horse that walks round the parade ring nice and relaxed with just the one handler, isn’t pulling at the reins.
Watch out for sweaty horses, especially at Hexham where it is usually cold. If they are pulling their lad/lass around the parade ring, they are usually tugging at the reins to keep them calm. These horses are using up a lot of nervous energy.
It is unlikely at Hexham and other NH tracks but watch out for horses neighing, that takes up an awful amount of energy and they are probably nervous types.
The coat should be gleaming this time of year. Look out for dull coats, it could be they are about to be getting their winter coat or they could be not feeling themselves.
If they look well in their coat, they are generally feeling happy in themselves.
The hind quarters on NH horses is where all the strength is, especially in chasers. If the hind quarter is visibly muscular then you can be sure the horse is probably fit.
You can get deep girthed horses so sometimes it looks like they are carrying condition but in fact it is just their girth. If you can see their ribs, that is a good sign but if you can’t I wouldn’t worry.
Look for a decent gap between the front legs as this indicates a big heart, which it will need to get up that hill.
Ensure the horse has bright eyes and ears pointing forward which means they know what is about to happen and are prepared.
COURSE
At Hexham, they don’t often go round the track to the start so you don’t get a chance to look at the horses cantering. They generally cross the middle of the course. However, they may canter down to the last hurdle and return in front of the stands before crossing.
You have to look how they are walking/cantering and the back hoof goes over the mark left by the front foot.
TRAINER
On Friday Wilf Storey has Lady Hamilton declared in two races, she is also in at Kelso on Sunday. It is likely she will go for the three miler at Hexham. Connections lost boat loads on her at Cartmel and they have been very patient waiting for the right opportunity for the mare.
Lucinda Russell is 12-47 at this meeting and has had at least one winner in 8 of the last 12 seasons. She is 4-10 with her novice chasers.
Stuart Coltherd does well with horses he buys off Adam McCormack. Usually, Coltherd trains them for McCormack and then when he decides to get rid of the horse, Coltherd buys it.
Coltherd is 23-83 in handicap chases at Hexham. He has Ring Pretender entered in both chases on Friday, a former McCormack horse, Similar Story is also entered.
STATS
Horses that have placed in a Handicap Chase at the track have a 60% race strike rate whilst those that have placed in a handicap hurdle have a race strike rate of 49%. You will get a lot of old foes continually meeting each other at the track.
Owners are very well catered for and it is a smashing day out for them.
The first three in the betting strike at 72% and the first four at 82% I doubt we will have a season like 2019 when 90% of the winners came from the first four in the market.
Have a great day.
I can imagine the ladies wanting a little bit of shelter so best look into our needs carefully. Being cold would be a spoiler especially if they are poshed up. Is there an official food outlet or just burger vans?
