Rare Course Visit - Symonds & Coleman Bid For Hexham Double

Herefordshire handler Tom Symonds has only ever sent four horses to Hexham during his career, but interestingly sends a pair of runners on the long journey up to the Northumberland track on Monday afternoon. In-form jockey Aidan Coleman is set to be on board both and is another rare visitor to the course. Check out our editor’s view of each runner, alongside Bet365‘s new customer offer of Bet £10 Get £50 In Free Bets.

HIDOR DE BERSY – 1:30 Hexham (Thornton Firkin ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle)

A taking winner of a bumper at Huntingdon last season, HIDOR DE BERSY has shown some useful form since embarking on his hurdling career, and although Tom Symonds’ charge has only registered one victory over timber in four hurdle outings, the five-year-old has been unlucky to bump into some talented individuals in defeat. 

Runner-up on hurdling debut at Carlisle in maiden company, Hidor De Bersy ran a very encouraging race but was ultimately no match for Dan Skelton’s Nurse Susan who pulled away stylishly in the closing stages. That useful mare followed up at Leicester shortly after and has subsequently finished fourth behind unbeaten star Love Envoi at the Cheltenham Festival in the Grade 2 Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.

Third on his second start over hurdles at Uttoxeter, Hidor De Bersy was soon off the mark on New Year’s Day at Fakenham. Jumping fluently throughout, the five-year-old effortlessly drew right away from his eight rivals turning for home and was heavily eased on the run to the line. 

Tom Symonds’ charge lost little in defeat when coming up against smart novice Knickerbockerglory at Ludlow last month, and with comfortably the strongest form on offer, Hidor De Bersy should be difficult to beat on Monday afternoon and will be expected to return to winning ways. 

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HYSTERY BERE – 3:15 Hexham (Discover Northumberland’s Only Racecourse Handicap Hurdle)

Wind surgery and the switch to handicaps have seen HYSTERY BERE take his form to new heights this campaign, and while he was disappointing when last seen, excuses can be made and Tom Symonds will be hopeful his five-year-old can bounce back to form on Monday.

A cosy winner of a juvenile hurdle at Fontwell last season, Tom Symonds’ charge returned to the West Sussex track following a 294-day absence on handicap debut. Reappearing from a mark of 123, the five-year-old made rapid headway turning for home before comfortably seeing off the challenge of market rival Smurphy Enki in the closing stages over the extended 2m1f. 

Lining up in a competitive Class 2 handicap at Cheltenham on his penultimate start, Hystery Bere produced an eye-catching effort when finishing third at Prestbury Park. Racing towards the rear of the field, the five-year-old made significant headway as they climbed towards the line but was just unable to reel in Severance and Brian Ellison’s subsequent Morebattle Hurdle winner Cormier. Heavily supported in the market for the Grade 3 Imperial Cup at Sandown on his following start, Hystery Bere never travelled with any conviction and was ultimately pulled up two from the finish. 

Dropping markedly in Class on Monday afternoon, Tom Symond’s useful handicapper should relish the step up to 2m4f on the evidence of his penultimate start. A line can be drawn through his latest blip at Sandown and if returning to his previous form, the five-year-old will take plenty of beating. 

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