Hexham Tips: Elleon may relish marathon test

A busy Wednesday of racing action lies ahead, with five meetings taking place across the UK and Ireland. Jumps fare comes from Ffos Las, Hexham and Warwick, while they go on the all-weather at Kempton and Dundalk.

Here we have picked out a trio of runners to follow on the afternoon National Hunt offering at Hexham, where they race from 12:35-15:30 at the picturesque Northumberland venue.

Horse Racing Odds

Today's Horse Races

12:35 Hexham - One Step Up @ 9/2

Robert D'ores was runner-up here over further recently on his return from a wind operation. He will be a threat if replicating that effort, but the long-standing maiden isn't certain to be suited by this drop back in distance.

Irish raiders Technology and The Mass Path arrive with questions over their recent form and so ONE STEP UP is the pick in Hexham's opener.

Stuart Coltherd has a decent record here with runners from his yard in the Scottish Borders and this six-year-old has shown some glimpses of form since arriving from Nicky Richards.

He was second at Perth (2m, good to firm) in June and then finished third at Ayr (2m3½f, good to soft) last month on his second run back from a break.

He sported first-time cheekpieces in that pleasing run, with the aid retained now, and he should be firmly in the mix again under Sam Coltherd.

14:20 Hexham - Elleon @ 9/2

The Long Distance Handicap Chase over almost four miles will take some getting.

Lucinda Russell fires three of the nine runners, with recent Ayr winner Destiny Is All joined by Camp Belan (third in that three-mile event) and Jem In Em, who needs to improve on what he has shown so far over fences.

Sam England's horses continue to go well and she will be hoping that this marathon trip suits the consistent and likeable ELLEON.

The nine-year-old gelding is a winner of three races over fences, those successes all coming in 2024.

He scored at Haydock over 2m4f on soft going in March and added three-mile successes here in May/June on good/soft going, showing plenty of stamina in doing so.

He was second-best at Carlisle (3m2f, good to soft) last month behind a promising chasing debutant from the Dan Skelton yard in Illico De Cotte, with Elleon in turn pulling a long way clear of the third.

If he takes to this marathon test, he is still on a very workable mark.

14:55 Hexham - Kicksaftersix @ 11/2

Recent three-mile course winner Return Fire has to cope with a 6lb rise in the weights and a drop in trip if he is going to follow up for Russell and a solid alternative is the consistent KICKSAFTERSIX for Martin Todhunter.

The Scorpion gelding was a course winner over shorter last summer and has been consistent this season without notching a win.

His last three runs have yielded runner-up finishes at Cartmel and here, over trips ranging from 1m7½f-2m5f on good/soft ground.

The hold-up performer hasn't been doing a lot wrong and he races from an unchanged mark back up in trip here, he should get some tangible reward soon.

Horse Racing Tips from Betfred Insights.