DJ to spin us a winner for the opening leg
Back Ayr Of Elegance @ 7.06/1 in the 13:50 at Hexham
Enduring was placed second and ran well for the first-leg of the each-way double at 9/1 in yesterday's column, but like all good each-way bets for the second leg, Lila Girl finished fifth - one away from the extra place with the Sportsbook.
Hexham's opening 2m4f Mares' Handicap Hurdle looks reasonably open, and the DJ Jeffreys-trained Ayr Of Elegance is an interesting runner on her latest start.
She ran over 3m last time, but hasn't convinced at that trip in her career and she looks best at shorter. As a front-runner, she will have the ability to control this too. Winning form on good to soft (and one of her best at Newton Abbot) makes her a good candidate for ideal conditions with rain forecast.
Archie Bellamy claims a helpful 7lb. It's a tried and trusted angle for me; horses coming down in distance having not quite seen out a trip over further. Crucial for Hexham.
Arvans can be the saint for Hexham
Back Saint Arvans @ 2.35/4 in the 16:10 at Hexham
Donald McCain and Brian Hughes have a chance of a winner on the card with Minella Plus, but I'll oppose the 11/8 favourite with Saint Arvans.
Minella Plus makes his chase debut this afternoon and as a 0-140 Hurdles' winner in 2021, and should strip fitter after his latest run at Uttoxeter in a good quality race over hurdles, as that was after a break, but his best form is at speedy tracks and he could be vulnerable to something with a bit more staying power.
Saint Arvans has won at the course and has form over further, and with 3-6 over fences already, he still gets 1lb from the favourite.
Both like to lead and despite the small field, they could take each other on. He also scored at Hexham in the summer over 2m4f in a novice company.
September singles winners:
Enduring 9/1 Placed
Noble Dynasty 3/1 Won
Nostrum 2/1 Won
Kaif 15/8 Won
Only Money 2/1 Won
Ah La Francaise 5/2 Won
Exoplanet 5/1 Won
Courage Mon Ami 5/1 Won
City Walk 9/4 Won
Shaara 6/1 Won
Tarhib 5/4 Won
City Vaults 5/2 Won
Sea Stone 9/1 Won
Funny Story 5/2 Won
New Kingdom 8/1 Won
Prakasa 6/4 Won
Well Educated 9/4 Won
Kingori 10/11 Won
Dynamic Kate 10/11 Won
First View 9/2 Won
Mostahdaf 9/2 Won
Leopold's Rock 4/5 Won
High Velocity 9/2 Won
Back On Springs 5/4 Won