4:00 Hexham Tips

Course-and-distance winner Divilabother is a proven performer at this level and is on a fair mark. He looks worth siding with at 9/2, with ground conditions in his favor in a weak-looking race.

Was a decent 2nd here back in December in a stamina test when beaten by an odds-on favourite in a three-horse race, losing by only just over a length. 6th here latest when running out of steam at the end, but that may have been impacted by the pull-up at Chepstow in the prior race. Last win was at Carlisle in November in Class Four company, so not too long ago. The drop down to Class Five company is a big plus.

Lightly enough raced 9yo who I've followed ever since he caught my eye a couple of seasons ago and he rewarded my faith by winning a couple of times including when bolting up by a whopping 25l on handicap debut...and I'm sure I even put him up then on @olbg. Has been very disappointing since but has finally slipped to a winnable mark as is now 3lb lower last win. Not one to go mad about but I like the fact Sean Quinlan has been booked as this horse has normally had an apprentice up in recent runs. Quinlan has been good to follow this month as has booted home 5 winners and has 6 seconds from his 21 rides this month alone. If the first time visor works he could be on an attractive mark and bar one other in the field is the only other distance winner in the field. Could bolt up if on a going day.

Stylish Recruit came back from a 66-day break with a return to hurdles 22 days ago, which would have sharpened him up for today. He never really took to chasing last year, apart from one good round at this track. He has won here previously in a Class 3 hurdle and is now down to a very good mark in this sphere. He will act on the ground and will have no stamina issues, having won a 3m point. Many rivals in this do not have the optimum ground or trip today, and he looks well placed by connections.