3:58 Hexham
A small but competitive Class 5 handicap hurdle at Hexham over 2m7f63y on good ground, forming part of the Go North Brindisi Breeze Series qualifier. With only five runners, the KTB Fit Scores point to a tight contest at the top, headed by Stylish Recruit on 63, followed closely by Scottish Dancer on 60 and Frisky Whiskey on 56. The race features several course winners and horses in decent recent form, though the limited field size and uncontested pace shape add tactical interest.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape indicates a lone leader with little to pressure it, suggesting an uncontested lead that could prove difficult for closers to reel in. Killybegs Jet Lady is the only front-runner in the field and is likely to take up that role from the outset. The other four runners are all held-up types who will be looking to produce their efforts from off the pace, setting up a race where the key question is whether the leader can dictate matters or if the late runners can bridge the gap on good ground.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Stylish Recruit KTB Selection63/100
Stylish Recruit is a useful performer with an official rating of 99. He has won three times at Hexham from seven runs and boasts a solid record on good ground with three wins from eight starts. The eight-year-old has won at today's trip and arrives in decent form having scored on his most recent outing, adding to recent form figures of 1-6521. Sandy Thomson has no recorded runners at this track, so that side brings limited course insight, though Patrick Wadge takes the ride with a 13% strike rate at Hexham and an A/E of 0.87 from 77 rides. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he will be looking to come from off the pace in a race where the leader may get an easy time of it.
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2Scottish Dancer60/100
Scottish Dancer is a useful performer with an official rating of 100. He arrives in decent nick after two placed efforts this spring, adding to recent form figures of 080-31. The seven-year-old has won on good ground and at today's trip, though the yard's record here is poor with a 0% strike rate at Hexham and an A/E of 0 from 44 runs. Tim Reed and Harry Reed combine with an overall 14/164 (9%) record, an A/E of 1.02 and +£77.58 LSP. Usually held up and producing his effort late with high confidence, this will be his first run at Hexham, where he will need to overcome the yard's local record while chasing the likely uncontested leader.
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3Frisky Whiskey56/100
Frisky Whiskey is a useful performer on the balance of his ratings with an official rating of 98. He showed a bit of promise when fourth on his only previous visit to Hexham and now drops back in trip to a distance he has never tried, with recent form figures of 66432. The five-year-old has been competitive on good ground with one placed effort from five starts but no win. Brian Ellison and Brian Hughes team up with a 49/232 (21%) record, an A/E of 0.88 and -£30.40 LSP; the yard has a 16% strike rate at Hexham from 279 runs while the jockey has a 16% strike rate from 800 rides with an A/E of 0.82. Run-style evidence is limited but he is usually held up, meaning he will come from off the pace against a likely clear leader.
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4Robert d'Ores50/100
Robert d'Ores is a fair performer with an official rating of 85 who has won three times at this track and three times at today's trip. He has been below his best on his last two starts and his record on good ground shows placed efforts without a win, though he is dropping in class. The yard has a solid 10% strike rate here from 306 runs.
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5Killybegs Jet Lady45/100
Killybegs Jet Lady is a fair mare with an official rating of 87 who has placed twice from seven runs at Hexham without winning. She drops back in trip today having last run over further, though she is 1-6 at this distance and has a solid record on good ground with one win and six places from ten starts. Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore hold a 15% strike-rate here from 47 runs while Derek Fox is aboard.
KTB verdict
Stylish Recruit stands out as the KTB Selection. He is a useful performer who has won three times at Hexham from seven runs, boasts a strong record on good ground and arrives in decent form after scoring last time out. His ability to win at this trip and his course experience give him a clear edge in a race where the pace is likely to be uncontested up front. Scottish Dancer and Frisky Whiskey are the main dangers, both useful sorts in reasonable heart, though the former must overcome his trainer's poor Hexham record and the latter is unproven at the trip.
KTB Selection Stylish Recruit
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:01 UTC, 2 Oct. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Stylish Recruit | 11/4 | Bet365 |
| Scottish Dancer | 5/2 | 7Bet |
| Frisky Whiskey | 13/8 | 7Bet |
| Robert d'Ores | 11/1 | Bet365 |
| Killybegs Jet Lady | 11/1 | 7Bet |
This is the narrative read of the 3:58 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. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse is likely to take the uncontested lead?
Killybegs Jet Lady, as the only front-runner in the field with a run-style that tends to make the running or race on the pace.
How many course wins does Stylish Recruit have at Hexham?
Three wins from seven runs at the track.
What is the yard's strike rate at Hexham for Scottish Dancer's trainer?
0% strike rate at Hexham with an A/E of 0 from 44 runs.
Has Frisky Whiskey won over this trip before?
No, he drops back in trip to a distance he has never tried.
How many times has Robert d'Ores won at this track?
Three times from 17 runs at Hexham.
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