4:17 Hexham
This Class 3 Beginners' Steeple Chase at Hexham over 2m4f15y on good ground brings together three high-class performers dropping in class, though each carries questions about trip and recent consistency. The KTB Fit scores separate them clearly, with Jeriko du Reponet heading the numbers on 67, ahead of Royal Infantry on 57 and Welonlyhavedone on 44. With no previous course form for any of the trio, the race will hinge on how their proven ability translates to Hexham and whether the trip suits on this first visit.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape is strong with low confidence, driven by two habitual front-runners in Royal Infantry and Welonlyhavedone who tend to make the running or race prominently. This sets up the likelihood of an honest gallop that could collapse in the latter stages, playing to the strengths of hold-up performers. Jeriko du Reponet, who usually produces his effort late, is therefore well positioned to capitalise if the pace tells late on. The key question is whether the prominent pair can dictate matters or if the strong tempo will leave them vulnerable to a closer.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Jeriko du Reponet KTB Selection67/100
Jeriko du Reponet is a high-class performer on his day who showed strong recent placed efforts before a poor last run. He drops back from three miles to a trip he has tried only once without success, which asks a fresh question at this distance. The Ben Haslam yard has an 18% strike rate at Hexham from 127 runs with an A/E of 1.2, though this is the horse's first visit to the track. Harry Cobden takes the ride with a 0% strike rate from 8 Hexham rides and an A/E of 0. He has recorded 1 win from 4 starts on good ground with 2 places. Usually held up and producing his effort late with high confidence in that run-style, he is the KTB Selection.
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2Royal Infantry57/100
Royal Infantry is a high-class performer boasting strong recent form figures and a solid career record. He drops back in trip today having failed to land the odds at 2m5f last time, though he has already tried this distance twice without success. The Dan Skelton stable posts a 26% strike rate at Hexham from 54 runs with an A/E of 0.77, while the combination with Harry Skelton shows 22% from the 1418/6402 record with an A/E of 0.90. He has 1 win from 5 starts on good ground with 2 places and this is his first run at the track. A front-runner who tends to make the running or race on the pace with medium confidence, he is sure to set a strong gallop in a race where the pace could collapse late.
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3Welonlyhavedone44/100
Welonlyhavedone is a high-class performer on his day but has been disappointing of late with three pulled-ups from his last four starts. He drops back in trip today having failed to make an impact in two previous runs at this distance. The Sandy Thomson yard has a 0% strike rate at Hexham from a small sample of 1 run with an A/E of 0, making it too early to judge the trainer's record here. Brian Hughes rides with a 16% strike rate at the track from 808 rides and an A/E of 0.84. He has 1 run on good ground with neither a win nor a place. A front-runner who tends to make the running or race on the pace with medium confidence, he will be alongside Royal Infantry in the early battle for the lead.
KTB verdict
Jeriko du Reponet is the KTB Selection. He brings the highest Fit score of the three, has the benefit of a hold-up run-style in a race with a strong pace likely to collapse, and represents a trainer in solid form at Hexham. His high-class ability on the right day gives him every chance if the drop back in trip works out. Royal Infantry is the obvious danger as a strong front-runner with a good recent record and the Skelton team in attendance, while Welonlyhavedone cannot be entirely dismissed on high-class ability despite his recent disappointments.
KTB Selection Jeriko du Reponet
This is the narrative read of the 4:17 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 is dropping back from three miles?
Jeriko du Reponet is dropping back from three miles to a trip he has tried only once without success.
What is the trainer strike-rate at Hexham for the yard of the KTB Selection?
Ben Haslam has an 18% strike rate at Hexham with an A/E of 1.2 from 127 runs.
How many front-runners are in the field and what is the pace shape?
There are two habitual front-runners and the pace shape is strong with low confidence, which could collapse late and favour hold-up horses.
Which jockey has the strongest Hexham record in this race?
Brian Hughes has a 16% strike rate at Hexham from 808 rides with an A/E of 0.84.
What recent form issue does Welonlyhavedone carry?
Welonlyhavedone has been disappointing of late with three pulled-ups from his last four starts.
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