In the Kirkley Hall Ltd Zoological Gardens Handicap Hurdle (3.10) at Hexham on Monday, Michael Scudamore sends Dan Emmett on the 566-mile round trip to Northumberland from his Bromsash yard as his sole representative of the afternoon and the hint looks worth taking. The Flower Alley gelding has run creditably in defeat on all three starts over hurdles and looks reasonably treated, off a mark of 120, for his handicap debut.
His best form, so far, has come on good to soft and soft going but, while underfoot conditions are possibly faster than ideal, a few light showers are expected in North East England on Sunday and connections will, presumably, withdraw him if the going becomes too fast. So far, he’s been tried at 2 miles, 2½ miles and 3 miles over hurdles without success but, as a winner over 2 miles on the Flat, 2 miles 4½ furlongs should be ideal for him, especially with the steep climb from the end of the back straight at Hexham likely to play to his strengths.
Jockey Tom Scudamore presumably had the choice of riding for David Pipe at Newton Abbott or Kempton, so his decision to head north is also highly encouraging as far as Dan Emmett is concerned.
Selection: Hexham 3.10 Dan Emmett to win