It's a tricky-looking card at Hexham this afternoon, and we're taking on a couple of hot favourites with a pair from Mark Walford's Yorkshire yard.
The first being RUBY ISLAND at 7/2 in the 1.05 – a mares' novices' hurdle over 2m.
Dan Skelton's Royale Dance is the odds-on favourite, and to be fair her position at the head of the market isn't undeserved.
She was a PTP winner in November last year before finishing runner-up in a warm bumper in March – and last time out, exactly 33 days ago, she won nicely on hurdles debut over course and distance.
That form isn't great though, and the 7lb penalty she carries for that success makes her opposable.
Second in the betting is Miss Lamb, who has been off the track for 305 days. Despite having obvious potential, she's also best left in my opinion.
So, for me the penny lands on Ruby Island, who has some lovely pieces of bumper form – including behind one of the Champion Bumper favourites Queens Gamble and an unbeaten horse of Harry Fry's called Credrojava who bolted up on hurdles debut just yesterday.
We're of course taking a chance on her jumping ability, but she will be fit having ran a few weeks ago and her bumper form suggests she has the class to be involved here.
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Finally, I'm taking on another short-priced Skelton favourite in the 2.15 – a 2m4f maiden hurdle.
Camdonian tops the betting on the basis that he has valuable experience that others in the field don't, but he's practically ran to the same level in all four contests and hasn't won any of them.
He was poor last time out on his seasonal reappearance at Uttoxeter just 17 days ago, but to play devil's advocate that was his first run in eight months after having wind surgery in June.
He should improve for the run, but he's already looking a bit exposed and so I just have to oppose him at such skinny odds.
I'm chancing another Mark Walford inmate – CHOOSETHENEWS at 4/1.
The five-year-old son of Westerner is yet to run under rules, but absolutely bolted up by 25L in his sole PTP back in April, with his nearest rival that day since going on to win on his next start.
I'm not sure this race will take much winning, and for me Choosethenews is one of the more promising prospects in the line-up.
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