Mudlark Modulus should relish conditions

188Bet Handicap Hurdle | 2m4f | 4yo+ | ATR

In-form Modulus will be among the mudlarks in their element at Hexham, despite the glorious spring weather which much of the country has enjoyed for the last few days.

Hexham had its share of good weather over the weekend, but it had been so wet for the previous week or so clerk of the course James Armstrong insists it will still be testing underfoot.

He said: "Since we raced on the Thursday of Cheltenham we have had 135mm of rain, which is equivalent to around five inches. We've had some lovely spring weather over the weekend and it's drying out nicely, but it's still going to be testing, although with elements possibly of soft ground within the general heavy by the time we race."

Modulus, who is on the upgrade and has won three of his last four starts for the father-and-son team or Peter and Ryan Winks, will have no trouble with conditions, but nor will most of his opponents as the trainers of today's ten runners will not have declared in the expectation of good spring ground.

Needs to step up

Veteran Irish raider See Double You needs to shake off three recent disappointments at Ayr if he is to repeat last year's win. He is 14 now, and only 3lb lower.

Second run for Ellison

Barrys Jack gets in towards the foot of the handicap and will be of obvious interest granted this much stiffer test on just his second run since joining Brian Ellison from Ireland.

What they say

Malcolm Jefferson, trainer of Ryedale Racer
He's in good form and he likes a stiff track. He's got to give weight all round, but he has a good record at Hexham and he won't mind the ground. At Ayr last time, I just wonder if he did a bit too much and set it up a bit for the others.

Lucinda Russell, trainer of Vertigo
The maiden hurdle he won rather fell apart, and this will be a truer test, but he didn't go up at all for winning and I think he's fairly well treated. He'll get the trip, and further, and I'm delighted to be running for decent prize-money at Hexham. He likes the track, having won his bumper there.

Jonathan Haynes, trainer of Beyondtemptation
She's very well in herself and she loves Hexham, but she's up in the weights now.

Peter Winks, trainer of Modulus
He's a bit of a mudlark, so conditions will suit, and he seems to be progressing still. It's a stiff track, but he's been finishing his races well and he should get the trip there.

Graeme McPherson, trainer of Hollywood All Star
It's probably down to dreadful placing by his trainer, but he hasn't had the heavy ground he needs all season, so with Hexham still waterlogged at the weekend we thought it was worth the trip. He's in good order and on the pick of his form he's in with a real shout. I don't have any worries about the trip.