Hexham - Saturday 9th May 2026
It's difficult to look past TAP TAP SHAMIE, who has run to a decent level on both runner-up efforts under Rules so far. The form of the opposition is thin on the ground and Olly Murphy's charge is sure to prove a warm order once more. 50-rated Flat performer Colinski is making his hurdling debut and may serve the most resistance to the selection, ahead of Rachel Lopez.
A switch to more positive tactics saw Natural Ability finishing second at Sedgefield last month and he must enter calculations. A 2lb higher mark shouldn't prevent another bold showing from the eight-year-old, but stable debutant CONQUER THE BREEZE could prove to be better treated. Although Adam Nicol's inmate finished his time with Maurice Barnes with something to prove, he sits on an attractive mark and a change of scenery may freshen him up. Welsh raider Zero Tolerance is the pick of the remainder.
Having supplemented a good third at Fontwell in March with a win at the same venue the following month, GOLD CLERMONT ticks plenty of the right boxes in her current vein of form. A 3lb nudge up in the ratings looks workable and she edges the vote over Eaton Anne. Olly Murphy's inmate has undergone a wind procedure since his latest fourth at Carlisle and he remains with potential in this discipline. Last year's third Hostile Hotelier completes the shortlist.
Peaceinthevalley is the best horse here on official ratings and has a Naas second over hurdles to his name from his time with Henry De Bromhead, but he lacks experience over fences, pulling up at Limerick before finishing third at Charm Park in a point-to-point. EASTERN STORM has run up four wins in a row, the latest at Tranwell, and he looks the one to beat under Rules, with multiple winner Line Em Up the most serious danger.
Mark Walford knows the sort needed to take this, with two of the last seven winners, and if Johnson's Blue can repeat his better chasing form back over hurdles, he would have a big say. Gardener is 2-2 here after C&D wins in March and April and is capable of going close, despite the rise in class, but SARACEN BEAU may have the edge. An easy winner at Doncaster in March, he might be able to shrug off a 7lb rise for the in-form Nicky Richards.
SCOTS POET returned to winning ways over 2m1f at Sedgefield last month and the veteran merits plenty of respect once again, despite a 4lb rise. Clean Getaway failed to fire when well behind the selection last time but is a player based on his previous success at the same venue, while King Sacre edges out Ms Cindy Kate to be best of the rest.
BREADALBANE LASS had plenty in hand when winning over 2m at Perth a couple of weeks ago and the six-year-old may be able to defy an 8lb rise in a race of this nature. Snapaudaciaheros scored over C&D recently and is likely to be the main threat to the selection, although My My My Delilah was only a couple of lengths behind Rebecca Menzies' mare last time.
No depth at all to this novice hurdle and anything but an easy win for TAP TAP SHAMIE will be viewed as disappointing. He was beaten at short odds last time having raced keenly over almost 2m4f, but this is much weaker and he's back down to 2m. Colinski could be the one to follow him home on what is his hurdles debut, although a better effort from Mickthesoldier wouldn't surprise.
Chasing newcomer Ghasham can be given a chance on his hurdles best, but this can be a tricky course and WE GOT YOUR BACK might be a better option back chasing and over a C&D he's won over previously. He's hardly solid, though, and Natural Ability, who has found some form of late, will appeal to many as an alternative.
Eaton Anne is better than he showed last time and he returns having had a wind op and sporting a new headgear combination. He seems sure to go well but JET LEGS finds himself 3lb below his last winning mark now and has the advantage of being a former C&D winner. He's worth chancing, although Hostile Hotelier makes appeal also back chasing provided he's over a last-time-out fall hurdling - he was battling it out for the placings at the time.
Eagles Rock was runner-up in a hunter chase at Kelso just the other day and must go well if turned out again so quickly but EASTERN STORM and Line Em Up are two prolific winning pointers who are preferred on this occasion. The selection is making his debut over regulation fences and has signifciant potential, while Line Em Up was in winning form in point three weeks ago and has yet to run under rules at all.
Nicky Richards is responsible for the progressive SARACEN BEAU, who improved for the step up in trip over hurdles when winning at Doncaster last time and he's taken to follow up off 7lb higher with further progress likely. Former stablemate Florida Dreams doesn't win often but he's really useful on his day and the change of stable could see him recapture his best form. He's the danger ahead of Gardener, who is on a hat-trick and should go well off his new mark.
Scots Poet is coming off a win at Sedgefield and his new mark still looks competitive but former C&D scorer GEMINI MAN appeals more now back over hurdles. He's been in decent form on the Flat and has a capable rider claiming a handy 5lb. Handicap debutante Ms Cindy Kate is of some interest also even though a stiffer test will suit before long.
BREADALBANE LASS returned to her best at Perth last time and is taken to overcome an 8lb rise in another moderate heat. The Nicky Richards-trained The Best Way returns from another long absence but has shown he can go well fresh and needs respecting, as does National Question who is back down to his best distance.
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