'She has a good chance' - can Cup Of Coffee make the long journey worthwhile?

Monday: 1.00 Hexham
Download The Ne-Bet App Today Handicap Hurdle | 2m | 4yo+ | Sky

Long-distance raider Peltwell from the Neil Mulholland stable captured this prize 12 months ago, and Worcester-based Cup Of Coffee could follow suit.

The eight-year-old mare is Sam Drinkwater’s only runner at Hexham, and she travels north after a creditable Doncaster fourth to Stop Talking last month.

A subsequent 3lb drop in the weights can only aid her cause, and she will relish the drying ground, her sole victory having been achieved on good ground at Ludlow in November.

Adam Wedge, who has been in fine form, makes the trip for just this ride.

For Three attempts a hat-trick after a 243-day layoff, during which he has undergone wind surgery.

Those two wins came at Perth last July in seven and four-runner fields respectively, and he’ll find this tougher off an 8lb higher mark than for that first success.

Go Fox enjoyed a spin on the Flat at Wolverhampton this month in preparation for this return to hurdles, but looks a shade high in the weights.

Serious Ego seems best in the mud, but Lord Caprio will enjoy the forecast good ground at a track he likes.

The seven-year-old was delivered with precision timing by Richie McLernon to snatch a 0-115 over course and distance last August, and added to his tally at Sedgefield in November.

He’s likely to give a good account of himself off bottom weight, with McLernon again on board.
Race analysis by Richard Birch

What they say

James Ewart, trainer of For Three
He's in good form. He's a two-time winner at Hexham and this is his time of year; this seems like a good starting point for a summer campaign. He's probably as fit as we can have him, he's been in training a long time and we've been waiting for the appropriate ground.

George Bewley, trainer of Paddy The Horse
He's had wind surgery and dropping back in distance won't be an issue. Long term he'll do better over fences as a novice chaser.

Nicky Richards, trainer of Serious Ego
He ran well first time out this year. We could do with it a little bit wetter but hopefully it'll be safe enough ground and he'll run a good race.

Micky Hammond, trainer of Applaus
He's a course-and-distance winner who seems in pretty good form. We're very happy with him at home and hope he'll give a good account of himself. The horses are running well generally and he'll be happy on the ground.

Sam Drinkwater, trainer of Cup Of Coffee
She's in good nick. We've dropped a bit down the weights and she'll like the ground, she has a good chance. I thought she'd be a lot higher rated when she beat a subsequent Listed winner, off 107. The track should suit and everything is set up for a nice run.
Reporting by Owen Goulding

For all our exclusive free bet offers and must-have daily promotions click the free bets button or go to racingpost.com/freebets