Today at Hexham

With the eyes and ears of the racing world homed in on Cheltenham this week, one of our favourite tracks - Hexham - stages an attractive card for the stay-at-home northern racegoers.

Sam Patch is probably our best chance on the form book, and he goes in the 3m 1f handicap chase. Blinkers are fitted for the first time on the 11 year old gelding, but he is prone to breaking blood vessels and even after his fine second last time, there were traces of blood visible from his nostrils. Fingers crossed.

Our dour, staying hurdler Bollin Fiona is another who is running well at the moment, and takes on 16 rivals in the 3m handicap hurdle. She's well exposed now, a course and distance winner and young Ryan Nichol takes off a valuable 10lb. A good each way chance, especially with 4 places up for grabs. 

Ellistrin Belle ran well for a long way at Musselburgh last time, finishing 4th on her handicap debut. We've taken her back to 2 miles in the opener, and this smooth travelling mare should go close. It is quite a hot contest though, and you can make a good case out for any number of her rivals. Still, you can only worry about what's in your control, and she's a mare we know has plenty of ability.....so we'll see!

Ellistrin Belle