Trainer sends just second bumper runner in five years to Hexham, the other won.

The Tim Easterby yard are far better known for their flat exploits but they have had winners under National Hunt rules. Winners in bumpers are very rare for them, just 2/35 in the last five years spread across twelve different tracks. Despite that , Easterby has sent just one to Hexham in that time, that horse winning earlier on this season.

On Sunday, just the second bumper runner in five years hits Hexham from the Easterby yard and that is a huge point of interest. There are just three meetings on Sunday for our horse racing tips with Pontefract and Worcester the other tracks in action aside from Hexham.

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5.15 Hexham – Michael Morris Decades Of Loyal Service Open National Hunt Flat Race

San Roch has had a run in a bumper already, fourth to a Denis Hogan runner at Market Rasen. That winner is sent over from Ireland to run in the 4.15 on this card so the form could have a boost by the time this gelding runs. Market Rasen looked far too sharp for San Roch, outpaced as they quickened but doing some fair work late on when running on again.

That suggests that the move to this much stiffer track at Hexham is going to be a big plus. With that experience under his belt, it would be no surprise to see him take a big step forward now he understands more of what is required. He was half a length behind Huntsman’s Call and a length and a half in front of Kian Calling on that occasion, both of whom re-oppose.

Easterby’s yard are ticking over nicely on the flat at present, with a winner over hurdles at this track in May. A half-brother to a pair of black type performers on the flat, San Roch is bred to be better than a Hexham horse which further adds to the interesting of this being his second assignment.

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