2:55 Hexham
A compact Class 5 handicap chase over 1m7f133y at Hexham on good ground brings together six runners, several of whom are dropping in trip while carrying useful ability on their day. The KTB Fit scores point to a competitive heat led by Ghasham on 62, with Bentley Road, Chicago Storm and Divas Doyen all closely matched in the mid-50s to mid-40s. Trainer and jockey combinations at Hexham are largely in line with expectations, though yard form at the venue varies sharply from modest to respectable.
How the race shapes up
With a small field and no obvious front-runner declared, the pace shape looks likely to be on the steady side, placing the emphasis on travelling well and quickening off a strong gallop rather than pure stamina. Several runners have shown a preference for racing prominently or in mid-division, so early positioning could prove key around this sharp track. The drop in trip for more than half the field adds an unknown element and the race may be decided by which horse handles the sharper test best in the latter stages.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Ghasham KTB Selection62/100Ghasham is a useful performer who arrives in solid form after two seconds on his last two starts.
- 2Bentley Road56/100Useful performer who showed some promise when fourth of 12 over 3m here last time.
- 3Chicago Storm53/100Chicago Storm is a useful performer on his day with a solid career record but has been out of form for some time and was well held when last seen.
- 4Divas Doyen46/100Divas Doyen is a fair handicapper who has won once in eight runs at Hexham and arrives in reasonable form despite a recent pulled-up effort.
- 5Cross Of Redmoor34/100Modest performer who has shown very little in six starts and was well beaten when last seen.
- 6Mr Globalist33/100Modest performer who has shown bits of form here without winning.
The contenders
Ghasham KTB Fit 62/100
Ghasham arrives as a useful performer in solid recent form, having finished second on both of his last two starts. The seven-year-old has already placed over course and distance here without winning, and he has shown himself competitive on good ground although he is yet to register a victory on it. The drop back in trip today remains something of an unknown, but both trainer Sam England and jockey Jonathan England bring established records at Hexham that are close to expectations. With a 15% strike rate at the track for the yard and a 14% record for the rider, the combination can be relied upon to have him ready.
Bentley Road KTB Fit 56/100
Bentley Road is another useful performer who showed some promise when finishing fourth of 12 over three miles here on his most recent start. He drops back sharply in trip for the first time at around two miles, which poses a fresh question. Trainer Stuart Coltherd and jockey Derek Fox both hold solid records at Hexham, although the yard’s strike rate remains modest at 13%. The seven-year-old is dropping in class which could help him return to form if the shorter distance suits.
Chicago Storm KTB Fit 53/100
Chicago Storm remains a useful performer on his day with a solid career record, yet he has been out of form for some time and was well held when last seen. The seven-year-old drops back in trip today, having won at this distance in the past, although his record on good ground is modest with just one placing from 11 starts. Trainer Barry Murtagh has a 3% strike rate at Hexham from 311 runs while jockey Lorcan Murtagh is 5% from 87 rides here, figures that offer little encouragement.
Divas Doyen KTB Fit 46/100
Divas Doyen is a fair handicapper who has won once from eight runs at Hexham and arrives in reasonable form despite a recent pulled-up effort. The nine-year-old drops back in trip today having been placed without winning at this distance, while his record on good ground reads one win from nine runs. Trainer Sandy Forster has a modest 6% strike rate from 250 runs here, although jockey Patrick Wadge fares better with a 12% record from 73 rides at the venue.
The rest of the field
Cross Of RedmoorKTB Fit 34/100
Cross Of Redmoor is a modest performer who has shown very little in six starts and was well beaten when last seen. He drops back in trip today having failed to make the frame in three previous runs at this distance, and the trainer’s modest record at Hexham offers no encouragement.
Mr GlobalistKTB Fit 33/100
Mr Globalist is a modest performer who has shown bits of form here without winning. He has been placed on good ground and at today’s trip but his recent efforts have been no better than fair and he failed to complete when last seen at this track. The trainer and jockey both have modest records at Hexham.
KTB verdict
Ghasham stands out as the KTB Selection. He arrives in the best recent form of the principals with two seconds to his name, has already shown his liking for Hexham by placing over course and distance, and benefits from a trainer-jockey combination with reliable records at the venue. The drop in trip is the main question mark, yet his overall profile suggests he can take advantage of a race that lacks depth. Main dangers are likely to come from Bentley Road if the sharp drop in trip plays to his strengths, while Divas Doyen’s course-winning record cannot be ignored despite the modest yard form.
KTB Selection Ghasham
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:02 UTC, 13 Jun. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Ghasham | 5/6 | Bet365 |
| Bentley Road | 10/1 | LiveScore Bet |
| Chicago Storm | 9/2 | 7Bet |
| Divas Doyen | 5/1 | 7Bet |
| Cross Of Redmoor | 28/1 | Bet365 |
| Mr Globalist | 8/1 | 7Bet |
This is the narrative read of the 2:55 Hexham. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Hexham racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has the strongest recent form heading into this race?
Ghasham, who has finished second on both of his last two starts.
How many of these runners are dropping in trip?
Four runners – Bentley Road, Chicago Storm, Divas Doyen and Cross Of Redmoor – are dropping back in trip.
Which trainer has the best strike rate at Hexham among those represented?
Sam England with a 15% strike rate at Hexham from 117 runs.
Has any horse in the field won over course and distance?
No horse has won over course and distance, although Ghasham and Divas Doyen have both placed here.
Which jockey has the highest strike rate at Hexham in this field?
Jonathan England with a 14% strike rate at Hexham from 155 rides.
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