Hexham Tips: Saturday 9 May 2026

Hexham Tips: Saturday 9 May 2026

Hexham on good ground on a May afternoon. Seven races on the card, three of which stand out as genuinely puntable. The going suits horses who travel and jump fluently rather than heavy-ground grinders, so anything winning on soft or heavy recently needs a second look. Nicky Richards is in fine form with a 3/6 strike rate over the last fortnight, and that matters up here where trainer momentum is everything.

3:20 — Harrison Family Remembering Loved Ones Novices' Hurdle (2m, Good)

Six runners and a 1/12 odds-on shot does not make for a punting race, but it is worth covering briefly because there is a framing angle here. Tap Tap Shamie is the form pick at 1/12, and at that price you are not backing him to win, you are simply acknowledging he will probably win. The Olly Murphy yard is firing at just 1/13 over 14 days, which is cold, and Tap Tap Shamie was beaten at 2/13 last time at Carlisle. That is not a red flag on its own, the runner-up there went on to be competitive at Punchestown, but it does confirm he is not bullet-proof.

Rachel Lopez at 8/1 with Boyle Sports is the most interesting alternative if you want a speculative play. Debut for Stuart Coltherd over hurdles, decent enough point-to-point background, and Sean Quinlan in the saddle is always a positive in the north. Still, this is Tap Tap Shamie's race to lose. Leave the race alone at those prices unless you have a specific each-way system that requires coverage.

4:30 — Paxtons Now Stocking Stihl Equipment Handicap Chase (3m, Good)

Eight runners over three miles on good ground. This is the race of the afternoon and there is genuine value to be found.

Gold Clermont Each-Way at 7/2 with Boyle Sports is the selection. The Andy Irvine yard has hit 1/4 in the last fortnight, which is a decent clip for a small northern operation. Gold Clermont won a handicap chase at Fontwell last time, squeaking home by a short head, but what matters is that it was on good ground over 3m2f, the conditions today replicate that profile closely, and she goes up just 3lb for the win. The jump to a bigger track is a question mark, but she is ex-Olly Murphy and has the class from that yard to handle Hexham's undulating layout.

Betterforeveryone at 13/2 is the danger. Tom Cannon rides, Alan King trains, and this horse won over four miles here in March 2025 on good to soft. The track suits, the distance is well within range, and 73 days off after being pulled up at Bangor on soft gives this a forgive-and-forget feel. King's yard is ticking at 3/19 lately, which is modest, but this is a competitive price for a confirmed course winner.

Hostile Hotelier at 5/1 is not to be ignored. The heavy fall last time was not a form line, it was bad luck, and before that run he had shown solid placed form. Jennie Candlish is cold at 2/27 over the last fortnight, however, and that stat drags the enthusiasm down.

Gold Clermont each-way at 7/2 (three places at 1/5 odds) is the play.

5:42 — Paxtons Number 1 For Case IH Handicap Hurdle (2m4f, Good)

Twelve runners, a proper northern handicap hurdle, and a race where the trainer form stats are central to the call.

Saracen Beau Each-Way at 9/2 with Boyle Sports or Betfred is the selection. Nicky Richards is running at 3/6 over the last 14 days, the hottest yard in this article by distance. Saracen Beau won at Doncaster in March on his second start over 2m5f on good to soft ground, and today's good going is not a concern for a horse that won on a drying surface. Yes, he goes up 7lb, but he is lightly raced at seven years old, with improvement almost certainly still to come. Danny McMenamin takes the ride, a combination you want to be on when the Richards yard is this hot.

The Four Sixes at 9/2 is the market co-leader and Sean Bowen is a big booking. The Spotlight angle is sound, dropped to a good mark after disappointing chase runs, down in grade today. But Olly Murphy's 1/13 recent record is hard to ignore as a negative, and The Four Sixes has a P-6-0-7-4 form string that doesn't scream confidence.

Dare To Shout at 8/1 Boyle Sports is worth a mention. Course and distance winner in October 2023 over hurdles, second run after a wind operation, and Ryan Mania knows how to place one fresh at this track. At 17/2 with Betfred and LiveScore, there is a little extra value there if you want to stretch the each-way net.

Saracen Beau at 9/2 each-way is the banker of the card.

Today's NAP