PREVIEW: HAYDON (SATURDAY 16TH MAY)

All roads lead to Hexham Racecourse on Saturday 16th May for the Haydon fixture, the grand finale of the Northern Area Point-to-Point season, which has attracted a total of 69 entries on a six-race card starting at 2.00pm.

Lucy Brown is 11pts ahead of Joanna Walton in the Perth Racecourse-sponsored Northern Area Ladies Championship and they are set to meet in the opening 3m Galbraith Conditions Race (11 entries) on Townhill and Everyday Champagne. Lucy’s mount Townhill, unpenalised for a comfortable win at the Buccleuch on March 8, had excuses when runner-up to Deerstalker at Overton a fortnight later and is taken to get back on the winning trail here at the main expense of Everyday Champagne (5lb penalty). At his best on a sound surface, the latter made virtually all to beat Not The Chablis by ten lengths at Pusk three weeks ago. Others to note are Carrhill, also entered in the Restricted, and Second Subaltern who is back in calmer waters after running in the Heart Of All England Maiden Hunters’ Chase on the adjoining National Hunt track last Saturday.

The 3m Graham Reader Motor Engineer Maiden Race has 14 entries and may chiefly concern the Jack Teal-trained duo Ifyouhaveaplan and Tellmesam, and Libero. Tellmesam finished strongly on his debut in this grade when only beaten a head by Chiroqui Princess at Garthorpe three weeks ago, Ifyouhaveaplan held every chance when unseating two out at Charm Park on April 18 before finishing eight lengths 4th to stable companion Willielle at Witton Castle, while the penny seems to have finally dropped with Libero who only went down by a rapidly diminishing neck to Loch Frisa at Pusk.

A couple of 4-year-olds Ocean Captain (by Crystal Ocean) and Orderly (by Order of St George) take the eye in the 2m4f Jacksons of Hexham Maiden Race (17 entries). Representing the Fred Timmis yard which sent out Jolie Joue to win the 2025 renewal, Ocean Captain was only a length behind the leader when falling two out in a 2m4f Tabley Maiden on debut last month, while Kate Leckenby’s recent acquisition Orderly shaped with plenty of promise in a 3m Punchestown Maiden on debut before being pulled up two out. Others of interest are locally trained Claramount, beaten under six lengths in Maiden contests on four occasions this term, long distance traveller Down The Valley, and lightly raced Hard To Know who should appreciate the drop in trip.

Former 129-rated hurdler Tag Man is the one to beat in the 2m4f Insync Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic Ladies Open Race (10 entries). Charles Clark’s charge completed a four-timer under Lucy Brown at Witton Castle when beating Ballydonagh Boy by fifteen lengths and a 7lb penalty is unlikely to halt his winning run. All of Watch Law’s best form has come on a sound surface but he is yet to win over this shorter trip, aforementioned Second Subaltern would have 19lb less to carry here than if taking his chance in the Conditions Race, while the useful Hollywood Harmon is back down in grade over his preferred trip after four runs in Hunters’ Chases this season.

Charles Clark’s in-form yard holds all the aces in the 3m J S Hubbuck Ltd Maling Trophy Mixed Open Race (9 entries) with the evergreen Summerville Boy and Sam Magee. Former Cheltenham Festival hero Summerville Boy has won the Hurworth equivalent for the last two years, while proven stayer Sam Magee was a wide margin winner of his last three starts in Open company at Dalton Park, Sheriff Hutton and Witton Castle, including the 4m1f Grimthorpe Gold Cup. Overton specialist Western Run got his season back on track at Pusk, prolific Pointing winner Whatdeawant is back in calmer waters after running in Hunters’ Chases at Hexham and Kelso, while Eastern Storm had won all four Pointing starts this term before ruining any chance he may have had in last week’s Heart Of All England Maiden Hunters’ Chase with too many jumping errors.

A competitive-looking 3m Neville White Construction Restricted Race (8 entries) may chiefly concern Flying Skipper, Fayrely Fruitful (5lb penalty) and Carrhil (5lb penalty). On his return from a ten-month break, Flying Skipper made all to win the 3m Buccleuch Maiden before twice finishing twelve lengths 3rd to the useful Boley Bob at Tranwell and Kelso, and another big run is expected. Fayrely Fruitful was also returning from a lengthy break when scoring first time out at Dalton Park in this grade, but was held in second when falling at the last at Hornby Castle, while Carrhill stayed on well to beat Royal Cave by six lengths in a Pusk Restricted and this test of stamina should again suit.

The main action is preceded at 1.00pm by pony racing, with all 3 contests sponsored by Northern Rug Repair. They have attracted a total of 18 entries, including Ingle Harry Brown and Judge Fox who have won eight times between them this season.

Admission is £15 per person including a racecard, with U16’s free (Cash only on the gate).

Hexham Racecourse is well signposted from the A69, and the post code is NE46 2JP.