12.55pm Hexham Tips & Betting Preview 22/11/2017

A Class 4 novices’ handicap chase over the minimum trip with a prize of £3,769. Read on for expert analysis and betting tips.

IN SUMMARY: CELTIC FLAMES is relatively unexposed and has been given a chance from the assessor on his handicap debut. Just Minded was sent off favourite last time but fell and there is probably more to come from him.

1 JUST MINDED – Finished last season on a high when giving the useful Ami Desbois a race but fell when held on chase debut last time. That was his seasonal reappearance so he is entitled to take a step forward and he was fancied in the betting that day; considered.

2 CHATEAU CHINON – Has raced just the four times under rules and was beaten a distance in each of those starts. He is quickly switched to fences however for a new yard so these types of handicaps are his future and he has some potential.

3 NINEPOINTSIXTHREE – Ended a sequence of poor runs when third at Ayr but refused to go with the field on his last racecourse appearance. He has the form to go well in this sort of race and would be a danger if jumping off but is risky enough from a betting point of view.

4 CELTIC FLAMES – Has made just the five starts under rules having won a point-to-point in Ireland. He’s been behind a few decent horses and a mark of 104 doesn’t look impossible now sent chasing, certainly one to consider.

5 CHARLIE SNOW ANGEL – Won his point-to-point after three second place efforts and made a decent debut under rules when second in a hunter chase. He’ll need to find some improvement if he is to win off his current mark but he’s not without a chance.

6 PADDLING – Never really made any impression in his six starts in bumpers or over timber but was slightly better on chase debut. He will need to take a big step forward if he is to be seriously involved in this company but isn’t a completely forlorn hope.

7 MR WITMORE – The rank outsider of the field and is unlikely to get off the mark at the twentieth time of asking today. He races from twenty-two pounds out of the handicap and this looks an impossible task.