Richard Birch's play of the day at Hexham

Halfway House Lad

3.48 Hexham

My best bet of the day is Halfway House Lad, who boasts strong claims of completing a hat-trick in the 3m handicap chase (3.48) at Hexham.

A big horse who has probably taken time to grow into his considerable frame, Halfway House Lad is firmly in the zone following wins at Newcastle and Hexham off low marks.

He stayed on strongly to beat Community Rebel by two and a half lengths on the first occasion and won in similar style when fending off Lewa House by half a length last time out.

The six-year-old is still officially rated just 79 and strongly appeals as the type to develop into a 90+ horse by midsummer.

He may have 13 rivals in Hexham's 0-100 contest, but it is hard to make any sort of case for the majority, and Halfway House Lad, who competes off just a 9lb higher mark than at Newcastle, should run them ragged with only 10st 4lb to carry when factoring in Charlie Price's 3lb claim.

Time and time again at Hexham's spring and early summer meetings you see horses racking up multiple wins, and Halfway House Lad has long been on my radar as the ideal candidate to join that group.

Halfway House Lad15:48 Hexham

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Jky: Charlie Price (3lb)Tnr: Maurice Barnes

Racing Post+ subscribers can read more of Richard Birch's tipping here:

'He should run them ragged' - Richard Birch makes strong case for Hexham chaser plus three fancies at Pontefract   

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