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A really good winner at Hexham today, a brave effort from Lethem Crescent.

Otherwise we had a couple of so-so runs, and a non-runner:

TIME COURSE SELECTION 1pt/2pt win Bookmaker(s) / Price(s)

2.50 Bath Nude 1pt 6/1 generally BOG 13/2Skybet 7/1 Betfred

3.55 Chester Tartan Gunna 1pt 9/1 Bet365/Hills/Skybet 8/1 Lads and others

4.15 Hexham Wheetfromthechaff 1pt 13/2 Paddy Power/VC 7/1Betfred Sportingbet 6/1 generally

5.20 Hexham Lethem Present 1pt 9/1 Coral/Bluesq 10/1 Skybet 8/1 others

Nude opened on course at 13/2, not looking massively popular, but then the money came again for her and she started at 4/1, so we got the price, and she didn't run badly particularly. Always up there, she was short of room for a stride which didn't help, but then didn't really quicken well enough to trouble the leaders, and she finished fourth, not beaten far.

Tartan Gunna (SP 9/1) was held out the back and given a nigh on impossible task, finishing strongly but never going to get there. Ironically Mark Johnston's other runner won the race, Jutland.

Wheetfromthechaff was a non runner.

Lethem Present, our winner, was nicely backed this morning, and the 10/1 and 9/1 went just a few minutes after the email delivered, so we'll take 8/1 as our price. Then there was a couple of damn r4s to worry about, and it was one of those where it depends on which bookie you backed it with, but it appears a 10p deduction is most common. So that's near enough 7/1, so for the sake of argument we will just chalk him up as a 7/1 selection (which also was the SP after he drifted on track).

Anyway what a grand performance from the mare. She was always up there, jumping really fluently, although it looked as they turned for home that she might have to settle for minor honours. But she stuck to her task and was given a fantastic ride by Brian Harding, who helped her to stay on really stoutly past I'm Your Man, to win by more than three lengths. The tactic of going wide for the better ground seemed to help as well. Nice one Brian, good job, and Tim Butt, who owns the horse as well as trains her, well done. We were sorry to see of course the nasty accident on one of the bends for Hasper, who was very well backed on course, but sadly broke his leg when slipping up. Our condolences to connections.

Confirmation of results with prices (advised --- SP):

Nude, 4th/10, 6/1 --- 4/1

Tartan Gunna, 6th/12, 9/1 --- 9/1

Wheetfromthechaff NR

Lethem Present, 1st/9, 7/1 --- 7/1

We were just beginning to get into a reasonably lengthy run without a winner, albeit many of them going very close, and it's always nice to put a stop to that. We'll do our best to push on again tomorrow!