Hexham
Monday, 13 April 2026 · 1m7½f · Good To Soft · chase · Class Class 4 · £6,786
Race Assessment
A competitive Class 4 handicap chase over a stamina-testing 1m7½f at Hexham. Several horses have course form advantages, with the going conditions favouring those who handle cut in the ground. Young Getaway makes his chase debut after a year off but represents the in-form Nicky Richards yard.
Key Factors
- •Course form at Hexham
- •Ground conditions (good to soft)
- •Chase experience vs novice chasers
- •Recent form and fitness
- •Trainer form
Going
Good to soft conditions will favour those with proven form on similar ground. Several runners have shown their best on soft/heavy, while others may be inconvenienced by the ease underfoot.
Pace
Likely to be a steady-run affair with Rock On Jet the main front-runner. The stamina-testing trip and going suggest those who stay well and finish strongly will be favoured in the closing stages.
Recommendations (2)
Royal Deeside
eachway7/10Confidence: 8/10Trainer has exceptional course record (33% strike rate, A/E 2.04) and horse has won twice at Hexham. Drop back in trip from 2m4f to 1m7½f appears positive based on recent shaping. Recent thirds suggest he's in good form and the course specialisation is a significant edge. Market odds of 6.5 underestimate his chances given the course advantage.
Suggested stake: 1.5% of bank
Flash Du Pistolet
eachway6/10Confidence: 6/10First-time tongue-tie addition to existing cheekpieces could spark improvement. Trainer has excellent course record (14% strike rate with positive P/L) and horse is just 2lb higher than when winning double at Kelso. The equipment change combined with strong trainer course form provides value at 11.0.
Suggested stake: 1% of bank
Runner Analysis
Young Getaway
Makes chase debut after 364 days off but represents Nicky Richards who is in phenomenal 14-day form (89% strike rate). Won a maiden hurdle and went close in a novice at this course previously. The year off is a concern but trainer form is exceptional.
- + Trainer in exceptional form
- + Previous course form
- + Won on good to soft going
- - 364 days since last run
- - Chase debut
- - No trainer success at this distance
That One
Recent form figures of 21-269 show inconsistency. Poor trainer and jockey statistics at the course with low A/E ratios across the board. Lacks the profile to suggest he can compete at this level.
- + Recent second place
- + Relatively fresh
- - Poor trainer course record (7%)
- - Jockey poor at course
- - Inconsistent form
Heads Or Harps
Best form on soft/heavy ground which may not be available today. Two recent seconds at Ayr but failed to threaten winners. Drop back in trip may help but ground preference is a concern on good to soft.
- + Recent placed form
- + Drop back in trip may suit
- - Prefers softer ground
- - Failed to threaten recent winners
- - Poor trainer/jockey combination stats
Choose A Copper
Down to a dangerous mark but showed no return to form on two winter starts. Both victories came at this course which is a positive. Trainer has excellent course record (19% strike rate) despite poor recent form.
- + Both victories at this course
- + Down in the weights
- + Trainer excellent at course
- - No form this winter
- - Trainer 0% recent strike rate at distance
- - Poor recent runs
Rock On Jet
Front-runner dropped 3lb since last run. Pulled up at Ayr but has shown better form previously. May set the pace but questionable if he can sustain it over this trip on this ground.
- + Dropped 3lb
- + Natural front-runner
- + Better form shown previously
- - Pulled up last time
- - Poor trainer recent form
- - May not stay this trip
Flash Du Pistolet
First-time tongue-tie added to cheekpieces. Trainer has excellent course record (14% strike rate, positive P/L). Just 2lb higher than when winning double at Kelso last March. Equipment change could spark improvement.
- + Trainer excellent at course
- + First-time tongue-tie
- + Near winning mark
- - Mixed recent form
- - Trainer 0% at this distance
- - Jockey/trainer combination poor
Too Cool Forshrule
Limited data but jockey has excellent distance record (33% strike rate, A/E 3.30). Recent form mixed with a pull-up but trainer/jockey combination stats are concerning.
- + Jockey excellent at distance
- + Recent run at course
- - Poor trainer course record
- - Limited reliable form
- - Recent pull-up
Powerofjet
Won at Newcastle on second chase start and ran creditably in series final at Carlisle. This less competitive field suits. Good recent RPR of 116 suggests he's in form.
- + Won on good to soft
- + Recent good form
- + Less competitive field
- - Trainer poor at distance
- - No trainer/jockey combination success
- - Owner poor at course
Royal Deeside
Two wins over 2m4f at this course last year. Recent thirds suggest drop back in trip could be positive. Trainer has exceptional course record (33% strike rate, A/E 2.04). Well positioned despite poor recent trainer form.
- + Two course wins
- + Drop in trip may suit
- + Trainer exceptional at course
- - Recent form only thirds
- - Young jockey
- - Trainer poor at distance
Kicksaftersix
Won three in a row over 3m here last spring but this trip may be inadequate for a marathon specialist. Recent hurdles run encouraging but significant trip reduction is concerning.
- + Excellent course record
- + Won three in a row here
- + Recent encouraging run
- - Trip likely too short
- - Trainer poor at distance
- - Age factor (10yo)
Nonbinding
Lightly raced since winning for Gordon Elliott in 2022. Recent form shows three pull-ups and poor performances. Trainer has terrible course record (3% strike rate). Hard to recommend.
- + Light weight
- + Previous winning form
- - Terrible recent form
- - Trainer dreadful at course
- - Multiple pull-ups
Elusive Warrior
Poor bumper and hurdles form but showed promise on chase debut at Sedgefield. Open to improvement but from out of handicap proper and jumping needs improvement. Long odds reflect limited ability shown.
- + Promise on chase debut
- + Open to improvement
- + Light weight
- - Poor previous form
- - Jumping needs work
- - Out of handicap proper
No Value
Likely contender with trainer in exceptional form but 364-day absence and chase debut make odds of 5.0 fair value
Solid recent form and suitable conditions but odds of 7.0 accurately reflect his chances in this company
Avoid
Multiple recent pull-ups, trainer has terrible 3% course strike rate, and form since 2022 wins has been abysmal
Runners (13)
| Pos | Draw | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | OR | Weight | Odds | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | Young Getaway | Danny McMenamin | Nicky Richards | 110 | 168lbs | 5.0 | 5/10 |
| - | - | That One | Jack Power(5) | James Walton | 110 | 168lbs | 7.0 | 4/10 |
| - | - | Heads Or Harps | Derek Fox | Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore | 109 | 167lbs | 6.5 | 4/10 |
| - | - | Choose A Copper | Patrick Wadge | Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore | 108 | 166lbs | 12.0 | 4/10 |
| - | - | Rock On Jet | Jonathon Bewley | George Bewley | 106 | 164lbs | 10.0 | 4/10 |
| - | - | Flash Du Pistolet | Sean Quinlan | Stuart Coltherd | 101 | 159lbs | 11.0 | 6/10 |
| - | - | Too Cool Forshrule | Jonathan Burke | Jackie Stephen | 99 | 157lbs | 13.0 | 4/10 |
| - | - | Forsa Bay | NON-RUNNER | L J Morgan | 96 | 154lbs | 10.0 | - |
| - | - | Powerofjet | Jamie Hamilton | Martin Todhunter | 96 | 154lbs | 7.0 | 6/10 |
| - | - | Royal Deeside | Charlie Maggs(3) | Patrick Morris | 93 | 151lbs | 6.5 | 7/10 |
| - | - | Kicksaftersix | Ryan Mania | Martin Todhunter | 92 | 150lbs | 11.0 | 4/10 |
| - | - | Nonbinding | James Best | Victor Thompson | 85 | 143lbs | 51.0 | 2/10 |
| - | - | Elusive Warrior | William Maggs(3) | Sandy Thomson | 84 | 142lbs | 21.0 | 3/10 |