Rhys Williams' Friday Racing Tips: Staying test to suit Pascal

Thorough stayer catches the eye

Hexham 16:40: Only For Pascal 0.5pt e/w 22/1

There's the potential for the closing handicap hurdle at Hexham to be run at a good pace and turn the race into a thorough test of stamina and that could bring improvement from a mare having her second start in Britain.

Only For Pascal showed glimpses of ability when trained in Ireland by Dermot McLoughlin when looking in need of a test of stamina. When third at Navan three starts ago, she was pushed along entering the home straight and looked to be struggling after jumping 2 out before rallying under pressure on the climb to the line.

She has since joined Mike Sowersby and ran ok on her first start for him at Uttoxeter in what I think was a stronger race than the one she contests today. Having initially set off in midfield, she gradually dropped back to be third last with a circuit to go. She was driven along turning the final bend and plugged on under pressure, while never getting anywhere near the leaders, to be beaten 12½ lengths in ninth.

The winner of that race has since run well off a 5lb higher mark, the third has won since off a 1lb higher mark, the fourth ran well for a long way next time until mistakes cost him late on and the seventh, who only finished just ahead of Only For Pascal, was sent off favourite for a handicap next time.

Only For Pascal has been dropped 4lb for that run which I think is generous and I think the test of stamina that this race will provide will be ideal for her.

It may be that she's just very slow and isn't the most straightforward but I think this scenario gives her a chance to show her best and any 16/1 or bigger appeals.