ALL roads lead to Hexham Racecourse tomorrow for the Border fixture, the grand finale of the 2011 Northern Area season, writes PETER BURGON.
It has attracted 116 entries on a seven-race card starting at 2pm, and admission is only £8 with under-16s free.
Narciso has been one of the most genuine and consistent pointers in the North over the last five seasons and will prove a tough nut to crack in the Ladies Open Race. The 11-year-old was produced late on the scene by Jacqueline Coward to land a third course victory in the Haydon Mixed Open a fortnight ago, and his follow-up bid is strengthened by the fact that he has 19lb less to carry here.
Ex-chaser Doc Row gave a brilliant display of fast, fluent jumping when galloping his rivals into submission at Friars Haugh in March.
Tristan Davidson’s mount has subsequently been freshened up by an eight-week break and is fancied to stage a repeat performance in the NPPA Club Members Race.
Another Dark Rum and Temple Green represent the main threats to my selection. The former won by 10 lengths on the bridle at the Haydon meeting and is still on an upward curve, while Temple Green was transformed by first-time blinkers when scoring on the same card.
Trianconi is one of the few proven stayers among the 17 entries for the three-and-a-quarter mile Open Maiden Race and I make him a sporting nap.
Willie Kerr’s charge was always prominent before finishing three lengths 3rd to Link House Appeal in the Haydon equivalent and that run should have put him spot on.
Recent form figures of F336 for Orraloon don’t inspire confidence but he was noted staying on well behind Spadestep last time and should be suited by the extra six furlongs.
Coquet Head is the one they all have to beat in the two-and-a-half-mile Open Maiden Race.
Jimmy Walton’s home-bred five-year-old caught the eye when runner-up to Miss Vivian in a fast time at Tranwell, with that form franked when the winner followed up in a Perth Novices Hunter Chase.
The battle for the minor honours appears to concern Red Myst and Shahramore, who posted career-best marks when placed behind the aforementioned Spadestep.
Definite Appeal can live up to his name in the Members Race. Susan Corbett’s acquisition was in good form between the flags and in hunter chases in his native Ireland earlier this year, before providing son Jamie with his first riding success on the recent Haydon card. Merry Eric looks the best option for forecast purposes.
Tom Bannister’s prolific winner My Old Piano is the class act in the Men’s Open Race and it is hard to see the likes of Mr Gossip, Commercial Express or Dix Villez lowering his colours.
Shropshire-based rider Richard Burton leads the National Men’s Jockeys Championship by four from Phil York, and if he heads north to Hexham it won’t just be for a change of scenery. Burton’s best chance of adding to his tally probably lies with Mr Wickham in the Restricted Race.
The safest option for punters is to side with Maura My Love.
