Hexham Monday

Advance going of soft at Hexham on Monday where we make the short trip across the border with 3 horses. A couple making their hurdling debut and a fancied one in the handicap hurdle.

But more on that later.

Starting off in the 2m novices' hurdle at 1.30pm is Eden Mill who makes his first run for the TD9 Racing partnership.
This 5 year old Leading Light gelding has shown promise in two bumper runs and we hope he makes up into a nice hurdler in time. But this is his debut outing over hurdles and the main focus will be on his jumping and a nice round.

Of the two previous winners at the head of the market, preference is for Honeyball's well-bred son of Diamond Boy, Hatos.

It's a similar story in the next race where a couple of previous hurdle winners look set to fight out this Mares' Only novice hurdle.
Rebecca's Fonzarelli was a big-price winner of a 3m Listed contest at Doncaster last time. She looks capable of conceding 5lb to Marsh Wren who is a winner over 2 miles but finished 31 lengths behind Fonzarelli at Doncaster.

Paper Tiger starts her hurdling career here over 2m 4f after a couple of bumper runs for experience. It's a big ask to expect her to contest the finish but like Eden Mill, we hope she can jump round.

Like Eden Mill, Paper Tiger runs in the TD9 Racing colours with Craig Nichol in the saddle. Good luck to all.

So, our best chance of a winner on the day lies with Eternally Yours in the 2m 4f handicap hurdle at 3.15. She ran very well at Ayr last time in mid March, finding only Charm Offensive too good for her. Several of this field have come out and run well recently and the Sulamani mare is in very good form at home.

However, there are a couple in the field who are in equally good heart on the track, none more so than Rebecca's dual novice hurdle scorer High Moon. He acts on soft ground and if he continues his progression he could be thrown in on an opening mark of OR122.
Flat-bred Hystery Bere has a bit to prove in his first attempt at 2m 4f especially over this taxing Hexham circuit.
Sue Smith's East Street is handily weighted with OR107, and on pedigree would appear to have scope for improvement over distances such as this. But both his own and his family's better performances have come on a sound surface.

Foster'sisland has been a consistent sort over the past year - 5 wins - and can be counted upon to make a bold showing here.

Mmmnn......a tougher race than at first appeared but fingers crossed that Craig Nichol can have an enjoyable ride on this lovely mare.