1:43 Hexham
This Class 4 maiden hurdle at Hexham over 2m4f28y on good ground features a small but competitive field of three. The KTB Fit Scores rank Northern Milan top on 57, followed by Presentandcorrect on 51 and Finisk Pride on 44, indicating a race where the principals are closely matched on the numbers. With no standout leader in a steadily-run, tactical affair, the ability to produce an effort at the right time from a handy position is likely to prove decisive.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape lacks a clear leader, pointing to a steadily-run, tactical contest where being handy should pay dividends. All three runners are typically held up and tend to produce their effort late, so the race is likely to develop into a sprint for the line from the home turn. The key question is which horse can quicken most effectively off a modest gallop while adapting to the step up in trip.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Northern Milan KTB Selection57/100
Northern Milan showed fair form when runner-up on debut over 2m1f and then ran to a similar level when fourth next time. He remains lightly raced overall and now steps up in trip with first-time headgear applied. The yard boasts a 44% strike rate at Hexham from 16 runs and the trainer-jockey combination has produced a 6/16 (38%) record with an A/E of 1.86 and +£16.20 LSP. While he is unproven on good ground and has no course form on record, the yard's strong local record adds significant appeal. His run-style sees him usually held up, which should suit a race lacking an obvious leader.
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2Presentandcorrect51/100
Presentandcorrect is a useful performer who has shown consistent form this year with two placed efforts from his last three starts. He now drops back in trip to a distance he has never tried, which asks a fresh question. The yard operates at an 8% strike rate at Hexham from 281 runs, while the trainer-jockey partnership shows an 11% strike rate with an A/E of 0.90 and -£173.02 LSP. He is competitive on good ground having been placed on both starts on the surface, though he has no course form on record. His run-style is to be held up and produce his effort late, fitting the steadily-run nature of this contest.
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3Finisk Pride44/100
Finisk Pride is lightly raced with only four career starts and just two in the last year, so the form figures of 4125- should be read with real caution. He is dropping in class and steps up from 2m to 2m4f today, which asks a fresh question on trip. The yard has a solid 14% strike rate at Hexham from 49 runs and the trainer-jockey combination records a 10% strike rate with an A/E of 0.58 and -£138.82 LSP. He is unproven on good ground and has no course form on record. Like his rivals he is usually held up and produces his effort late, which could be advantageous in a tactical affair.
KTB verdict
Northern Milan is the KTB Selection. He showed fair form in his first two starts, remains lightly raced, and benefits from a yard with a 44% strike rate at Hexham. The first-time headgear and step up in trip look positive moves in a race that lacks an obvious leader. Presentandcorrect brings the strongest recent placed form and is proven on good ground, while Finisk Pride's light profile means his form should be treated cautiously but the yard's local record cannot be ignored.
KTB Selection Northern Milan
This is the narrative read of the 1:43 Hexham. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Hexham racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Hexham results & records page. How favourites, trainers, jockeys and the draw have fared here over the last five years is on the Hexham racecourse statistics page. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse steps up in trip with first-time headgear?
Northern Milan steps up in trip today with first-time headgear and remains lightly raced overall.
Which runner is dropping back in trip to a distance never tried before?
Presentandcorrect drops back in trip today to a distance he has never tried which asks a fresh question.
Which horse is dropping in class while stepping up from 2m to 2m4f?
Finisk Pride is dropping in class and stepping up from 2m to 2m4f today asks a fresh question on trip.
What is the trainer's strike rate at Hexham for Northern Milan's yard?
The yard has a 44% strike rate at Hexham from 16 runs.
How many career starts does Finisk Pride have?
Finisk Pride is lightly raced with only four career starts and just two in the last year.
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