After notching eight wins on the spin, Nicky Richards sends three runners to Hexham for National Hunt action on Monday.
3.30 Hexham – Jamesieconn flies flag for on-song Richards stable
Jamesieconn arrives here for the Mick Walsh Open Ditch Handicap Chase chasing a four-timer for the red-hot Nicky Richards team, who have saddled eight consecutive winners over a sensational spring period.
This seven-year-old showed a liking for the three-mile trip and good ground when scoring at Carlisle the last day and has been subsequently nudged up 5lbs to a mark of 100. That extra weight could prove the difference but don’t be surprised if Danny McMenamin’s mount rises to the challenge once again.
Streamsforth Lad has placed in two hurdle races, a bumper and a chase across his 18 starts but is yet to get his head in front. Perhaps harshly, he is still off a mark of 97 having shown improvement when chasing home Three Zambezi’s at Bangor recently.
Stuart Coltherd has a level-stakes profit of +298 over the last two weeks and saddles Rightbackatyou, who was the best of the rest behind Scottish King over this course and distance recently.
2.30 Hexham – Young Getaway faces That One
Nicky Richards sends out Young Getaway to attempt to continue his aforementioned remarkable run in the Anthony Woods Electrical Lightning Bolt Handicap Chase. This lad is making his chasing debut a year after defeat over the smaller obstacles to That One, who reopposes.
That One is also making his bow over fences after being well beaten last time out at Newcastle for James Walton. Jack Power’s 5lbs claim could be very useful here, effectively bringing the seven-year-old’s mark down to a very workable 105.
The Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore combination field two runners here in Heads Or Harps and Choose A Copper. The former horse has been ultra consistent of late, having placed on his last four starts.
7.00 Newcastle – Grant Wood returns to happy hunting ground
After falling to defeat at Wolverhampton the last day, the Paul Midgley-trained Grant Wood returns to his happy hunting ground of Gosforth Park, where he has been successful on his two recent visits. Over the course of his career, the seven-year-old has never finished out of the first three in five visits to Gosforth Park.
Wicket Keeper has been successful twice over six furlongs but finished just over two lengths behind Power Fizz when fourth of 14 at 33-1 on his latest outing over this course and distance last month.
Paddy’s Day is wearing a tongue-tie for the first time for Nigel Tinkler, while one-time Constantine Handicap winner Albasheer returns in the hands of Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle.
Best of the rest
Gardener probably won more cosily over the course and distance than the winning distance suggested last time out and he returns for Hexham’s Happy Retirement Maurice & Anne Barnes Handicap Hurdle at 4.30pm.
