Geyser – 2.15 Hexham – 2 Mile Handicap Hurdle – 40/1 Bet365, Ladbrokes, Coral – BOG – 1 Point each way

I put up Geyser last time out and he was moving nicely into contention two out but made a bad jumping error which knocked him out of contention.

Nevertheless, this was still a step in the right direction, and we have to give him another chance while he is a 40/1 shot.

I, therefore, recommend 1 point each way.

He is still value at 16/1.

Please see my previous write-up for more rationale.

Geyser – 3.15 Hexham – 2m Handicap Hurdle – Best priced 100/1 Best Odds guaranteed.

This race looks weak, with no last-time-out winners and the head of the market is full of horses with plenty to prove.

I like this type of race as it’s ripe for an outsider to pop up and take the spoils.

Geyser has been on my radar ever since he came back from an injury-induced 473-day absence. He is trained by Barry Murtagh, who doesn’t get the best of ammunition to go to battle with, but he can train, and now Geyser has run four times his fitness and wellbeing are peaking.

Geyser’s breathing has caused him issues throughout his career, which resulted in a first wind op in July 2020, but since his absence the issue has flared up once more, needing another operation before his latest start.

We can therefore excuse his first three runs back this year for fitness/wind problems, and his latest start was very likely just a confidence booster for his wind.

A horse invariably puts in a better performance on his second start after a wind operation, so now he is back to his winning trip of 2 miles and Murtagh has jocked up his strike jockey Danny McMenamin I’m very hopeful of a big run, especially with cheekpieces applied for the first time.

The pairing won with Baraboy in a Hexham November handicap who himself was coming back with similar injury woes, so I’m happy to make a 1-point each-way play on Geyser at rewarding odds of 100/1.

Jack Thunder – 2.35 Worcester – 2m 4F Handicap Hurdle – 18/1 Lads/Coral/Bet365 (best priced 20/1) – BOG 1 Point each way.

I have put up Jack Thunder the last twice, but he has been a non-runner due to rain softening ground going against him.

It makes me think connections are very much looking to strike when he is fresh (all his best form is first time out).

I, therefore, recommend 1 point each way at 18/1 (best priced 20/1 with Bet365).

He is still value at 12/1.

Please read my previous write-up for more rationale.

Jack Thunder – 8.20 Southwell – 2m 4F Handicap Hurdle – 40/1

The 8-year-old Jack Thunder hinted at ability in 3-mile Point to Points before running well in an Irish NH flat race postmarking 106.

He was sold onto UK connections and while with Charlie Mann showed that same level of form in his maiden hurdles postmarking 107 and 108.

All his form is on good ground, so it was no surprise he was kept away from winter ground and ran well in a jumpers bumper postmarking 114.

Things were looking good, but unfortunately, he suffered an injury and missed last year, only returning to action recently for new trainer Alex Hales.

He was pulled up on return, but the race was full of promise as he tracked wide the whole way round, was close up, until fading quickly at the 4^th last. I was surprised he was pulled up before the third last, but at least he didn’t have a hard race which should stop the dreaded bounce factor this time out.

He was due to run a couple of weeks ago, but the heavens opened overnight, and he was a late non-runner. The fact they pulled him out suggests, that under the right conditions he is ready to run a big race.

It’s a big positive that Harry Bannister is back on board, as he knows the horse well.

The trip, ground, and track should all suit, and his handicap mark of just 95 looks too tempting not to get involved, as he was on 108 for his handicap debut, but the handicapper has dropped him 13lb for two runs which seems extremely generous.

The 40/1 is huge, and whilst we need him to come on for that run, he is priced up to take the chance, as if he is fit then he should be a single-figure price.

I recommend 1 point each way.

He is still value at 16/1