BRIGHTEN UP

old is fresher than many for the time of year; and it will be interesting to observe whether that, coupled with the sense his turn is nearing, is sufficient to tempt the generally summer jumping-averse West to roll the dice again very soon.

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HEXHAM, May 19 (Good, good to soft in places)

2m7f63yds 0-100 Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (class 5)

A fun horse between the flags for Tom Ellis and latterly Andrew Pennock, never out of the first three in that sphere whenever completing, ARTISTE d’AINAY should prove a similar sort for Billy Aphramian now operating back under Rules. Hexham looked the perfect place to start for new connections considering his pointing successes around the galloping lines at Horseheath and (the month before, in front of your writer) Charm Park, and for most of the way round it appeared another podium finish was in the offing at generous odds before the effects of the softening ground and the odd sticky leap caught up with the No Risk At All gelding. This can certainly be built on, probably back over fences and perhaps around a Uttoxeter (where Aprahamian has a 43% strike-rate with chasers) or Worcester once Hexham closes for the summer in a month's time.

2m4f15yds 0-100 Novices’ Handicap Chase (class 5)