Hexham, Monday 13 April 2026 — Tips & Preview

Hexham, Monday 13 April 2026 — Tips & Preview

Hexham stages an eight-race card on good to soft ground, and with Nicky Richards operating at a staggering 8/9 strike-rate over the last fortnight, his runners demand serious attention. The track rewards course specialists, the ground is fair for most types, and there are genuine angles worth following across the three featured races below.

2:00 — carpetgallop.co.uk NH Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Selection: Blues Singer — 11/8 Bet365 (5/4 Coral, 2.44 Betfair Exchange)

Alan King runs at Hexham with a 42% strike-rate, which is frankly exceptional, and Blues Singer arrives here in cracking form. The six-year-old bumper winner on good to soft broke through at Huntingdon last month, winning a big-field maiden with something to spare. He steps up to take a 7lb penalty, but this is a novice hurdle, not a Grade 1, and King's runners at this track tend to arrive fit and ready. The good to soft ground mirrors the conditions he's won on in bumpers and hurdles alike. Red Oak will push him, but that rival's recent run includes a pulled-up, and the form line is less convincing. Blues Singer is the one.

2:30 — Anthony Woods Electrical Lightning Bolt Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Selection: Young Getaway — 4/1 Bet365 (4/1 William Hill, 5.6 Betfair Exchange)

The Nicky Richards factor looms large again. The yard has won eight of its last nine runners, and Young Getaway makes a fascinating debut over fences after a year off the track. His hurdle form at Hexham was encouraging, going close here last time before the break, and this horse clearly handles the track. He won a maiden hurdle at Newcastle on good to soft, so today's ground is no concern. Chase and handicap debut means there is some unknown, but Richards does not run horses without purpose and the spotlight commentary flags him strongly if he's backed. Keep an eye on market movement before the off. At 4/1 in the yard's current purple patch, this is a live contender.

Each-way angle: Flash Du Pistolet Each-Way — 10/1 Bet365

With 13 runners paying four places, Flash Du Pistolet at 10/1 deserves a small each-way ticket. Stuart Coltherd is 1/3 in the last fortnight, and the horse completed a double at Kelso on good to soft last March from just 2lb higher than his current mark. He wore a tongue-tie and cheekpieces last time and is clearly being freshened up for a specific target. This could be it.

3:00 — Horslyx Mares' Handicap Hurdle

Selection: Out On Her Own — 7/2 Bet365 (10/3 William Hill, 5.2 Betfair Exchange)

She has yet to win over hurdles but has been runner-up twice at Carlisle since returning from a break, including one over 2m3f on good to soft. The drop back to 2m here suits, the going is fair for her, and Dianne Sayer has her timed well. The Spotlight note is blunt: she has another big role to play here. The market agrees, with 7/2 reflecting genuine confidence. At that price in an eight-runner mares' handicap, she is overpriced.

Respect for: Gintime — 9/4 Bet365

Nicky Richards. 8/9. Need I say more. Gintime's fifth in a Kelso series final last month was a strong effort, and this is a considerably easier race. The 9/4 means she is likely to start favourite, and she could easily win. But at that price with Out On Her Own looking a generous 7/2, the value sits elsewhere.

• 2:00 Novices' Hurdle: Blues Singer (11/8)
• 2:30 Handicap Chase: Young Getaway (4/1), Flash Du Pistolet EW (10/1)
• 3:00 Mares' Handicap Hurdle: Out On Her Own (7/2)

Today's NAP