Hexham
Monday, 13 April 2026 · 2m4f · Good To Soft · hurdle · Class Class 5 · £4,806
Race Assessment
This Class 5 handicap hurdle at Hexham features 10 runners spread across a modest ratings band (78-104). The race looks fairly competitive with several horses having legitimate chances based on recent form and course/distance preferences.
Key Factors
- •Course form
- •Going preferences
- •Trainer-jockey combinations
- •Class drops
- •Distance suitability
Going
Good to soft ground should suit most, though Divilabother prefers firmer conditions and may be disadvantaged. Several have shown their best form on similar or softer ground.
Pace
Likely to be a moderately run race given the field composition. No obvious front-runners, so those who can quicken late may have an advantage in what could develop into a tactical affair.
Recommendations (1)
Party In The Park
eachway7/10Confidence: 7/10The Hamilton-McMenamin combination has outstanding statistics (28% strike rate, A/E 1.31) and both trainer course and distance records are positive. The step up in trip should suit his pedigree, and while his handicap debut was poor, this represents a significant drop in class. At 5.5 the market underestimates a horse with strong statistical backing.
Suggested stake: 2% of bank
Runner Analysis
Rock Dj
Market leader who has run respectably in his first two handicaps over similar trips on suitable ground. Drops back in grade today which is a positive, though statistical data shows some concerns with the jockey-trainer combination's A/E ratios.
- + Dropping in grade
- + Suitable conditions
- + Recent decent form
- - Trainer 18% course strike rate but negative P/L
- - Jockey A/E ratios below 1.0
Balking
Lightly raced 8yo who showed promise when runner-up at 25/1 on handicap debut. Recent run at Ayr may have been needed after a long break. The Mania-Sayer combination has strong A/E figures suggesting they work well together.
- + Strong trainer-jockey combo (A/E 1.15)
- + Lightly exposed
- + May have needed last run
- - Poor recent form
- - Long layoff
- - Limited experience
Divilabother
Course winner who showed ability when fresh last season but hasn't been seen for over four months. Prefers firmer ground than today's conditions, which is a significant negative. The Dunne-Davidson combination shows excellent statistics.
- + Course winner
- + Excellent trainer-jockey stats (A/E 3.05)
- + Proven at this distance
- - Wrong ground conditions
- - Long layoff
- - Trainer poor recent form
Asa
Mare who has been running over longer trips recently but drops back to a more suitable distance today. Recent chase form suggests she's in good heart, though statistical data shows concerning trends for the stable.
- + In good recent form
- + Suitable distance drop
- + Proven stamina
- - Trainer/jockey stats poor at course
- - Unproven at this trip
- - Below-par statistical indicators
Party In The Park
Promising type stepping up in trip which should suit his pedigree. The Hamilton-McMenamin combination has outstanding statistics with 28% strike rate and strong A/E ratio. Course and distance stats for the trainer are also positive.
- + Excellent trainer-jockey combo (28% SR, A/E 1.31)
- + Strong course record for trainer
- + Trip should suit
- - Poor handicap debut
- - Relatively inexperienced
- - Trainer poor with 5yos
Woodview Lad
Lightly raced but was tailed off in both recent handicap starts. The statistical data doesn't suggest any strong positives, and recent form is concerning. Very long odds reflect market scepticism.
- + Lightly raced
- + Some ability shown in Ireland
- - Tailed off recent starts
- - Poor statistical indicators
- - Trainer weak with 5yos
Getaway Master
Showed improvement with headgear back on last time and has course form. The hood is retained today which is encouraging. However, statistical data for all connections at this course/distance is poor.
- + Course form
- + Headgear working
- + Some recent improvement
- - Poor statistical data across all connections
- - Inconsistent form
- - Trainer poor with 9yos
Stylish Recruit
Hard to fancy based on recent form but has tumbled down the weights. Notably, his two best career RPRs have been at Hexham, suggesting this course suits him well.
- + Course specialist
- + Dropped in weights
- + Proven course ability
- - Very poor recent form
- - Multiple equipment changes
- - Trainer A/E ratios poor
Eire Street
Limited recent form data but appears to be struggling. First-time visor suggests connections are trying something different. Statistical data shows mixed signals.
- + First-time visor
- + Jockey good course record
- - Very poor recent form
- - Trainer poor with 9yos
- - Limited recent data
Do Ye Wanna
Showed promise when third at Carlisle but disappointed here last time. Lightly raced so improvement possible, but statistical data suggests limited potential at this level.
- + Lightly raced
- + Some recent promise
- + Weight relief
- - Poor last run here
- - Trainer weak at distance
- - Limited experience
No Value
Likely to be competitive as the market leader but odds of 3.25 offer no edge given concerns about key statistical indicators
Avoid
Wrong ground conditions - clearly prefers firmer going and today's good to soft ground significantly compromises his chances despite course form
Runners (10)
| Pos | Draw | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | OR | Weight | Odds | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | Rock Dj | Jamie Hamilton | Mark Walford | 104 | 168lbs | 3.3 | 4/10 |
| - | - | Balking | Ryan Mania | Dianne Sayer | 104 | 168lbs | 12.0 | 6/10 |
| - | - | Divilabother | Robert Dunne | Tristan Davidson | 104 | 168lbs | 5.5 | 3/10 |
| - | - | Asa | Joe Williamson | Philip Kirby | 101 | 165lbs | 5.5 | 3/10 |
| - | - | Party In The Park | Danny McMenamin | Ann Hamilton | 100 | 164lbs | 5.5 | 7/10 |
| - | - | Woodview Lad | Benjamin Macey(5) | Gary Hanmer | 95 | 159lbs | 67.0 | 2/10 |
| - | - | Getaway Master | Conor O'Farrell | Micky Hammond | 94 | 158lbs | 9.5 | 3/10 |
| - | - | Stylish Recruit | Patrick Wadge | Sandy Thomson | 89 | 153lbs | 17.0 | 4/10 |
| - | - | Eire Street | Sean Quinlan | Jackie Stephen | 88 | 152lbs | 15.0 | 3/10 |
| - | - | Do Ye Wanna | Edward Austin(5) | George Bewley | 78 | 142lbs | 17.0 | 4/10 |