Hexham – Wednesday 8th December

Storm Barra did it’s worst up in these north-eastern parts, but it was not a patch on Storm Arwen, and so Hexham’s jumps card on Wednesday survives the elements, and today’s selection is very fittingly named to cope with the stormy and testing conditions – Storm Tiger.

The opening race on the card is the Season’s Greetings From Hexham Handicap Hurdle at 12.20, and it is without doubt worth trying to get your day off to a decent start by backing Storm Tiger each-way at a huge 33/1 with Paddy Power, BetVictor or Betfair Sportsbook for four places.

Available at 20/1 with SkyBet might be something that tempts a few in also, as they are offering 5 places, as long as 12 or more line up at post time.

If Storm Tiger was trained by a D McCain, L Russell or N Richards, there is no doubt that with the unexposed profile he has on this, his handicap debut, we would be receiving early quotes in the single figures. But instead, at 33/1 each-way, Storm Tiger is priced very appealingly, and so it wouldn’t take a huge investment to reap some nice rewards.

Since luckily winning a point-to-point, he has joined the yard of Stella Barclay, which is probably more known for all-weather flat handicappers, but have also chalked up a couple of wins over jumps in each of the last few seasons. Storm Tiger could easily be the jumps horse that opens their account in the 2021/22 season.

Whether that victory comes today, or over further in time (and perhaps fences), what is clear is the promise he has shown in his three novice/maiden hurdle runs suggest that he can more than hold his own, now entering low-grade handicap company.

Much the most promising of his hurdle runs came five weeks ago in a good race at Carlisle, that has already begun to work out well, with the winner acquitting himself very well in Grade 2 company at Sandown Park last weekend.

Sent off at 400/1 that day, the way he jumped and travelled held up in rear was eye-catching, and at a course where it is hard to peg back front-runners, Storm Tiger was never going to reel in better horses and finish near the frame.

But if you are an avid watcher, like me, of how supposed also-rans hit the line in these novice/maiden hurdles, then you’d have been really taken by Storm Tiger over the last couple of hurdles and furlongs.

At 33/1 each-way in the 12.20 at Hexham today, Storm Tiger is horribly over-priced. It might be that we are catching him a run or two too early, but the ability to jump and travel on testing ground today will count for plenty, and he can outrun those odds. Let’s hope he’s aptly named!