It was another “low-key” Sunday for Aidan O’Brien at Leopardstown, which is to say he treated the Group 3 Ballysax Stakes like a private schooling session that the public was accidentally allowed to watch.
The master of Ballydoyle saddled four of the seven runners, eventually finishing 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 7th. Christmas Day (11/1) clearly didn’t get the memo that he was supposed to be the “second string,” lunging late under Wayne Lordan to deny stablemate Endorsement.
Satirical Post-Race Interviews
Aidan O’Brien (Trainer):
“We’re delighted with them all, really. Christmas Day is a lovely, sleepy horse. He actually thought he was still in the horse box until about the half-furlong pole. Endorsement ran a cracker, and Pierre Bonnard (the 4/5 favorite who finished 7th) just decided to socially distance from the winners’ enclosure today. He’s a high-class horse, he just needs a race where the other horses aren’t allowed to go faster than him. We’ll look at the Derby, the Preakness, and perhaps the Intergalactic Stakes on Mars for them next.”
Wayne Lordan (Winning Jockey on Christmas Day):
“I just asked him to pick up, and he said, ‘Fine, but only because it’s a Sunday.’ To be honest, I spent most of the race checking if Ryan (Moore) was going to go past me on the favorite. When I realized Ryan was busy navigating the Leopardstown scenery in 7th, I figured I might as well win it.”
Musselburgh: The Sunday Series Shuffle
While Aidan was conquering Dublin, Musselburgh hosted a gritty Sky Bet Sunday Series card. The stats favored the favorites early but turned into a bit of a “find the winner” lottery as the evening progressed.
The Results & Stats
Feature Winners: Adonius (1/1f) justified the hype in the 15:45, but the value hunters cheered as Fast Fred (10/1) and Abduction (10/1) landed the later handicaps.
The Stats: Out of 6 races, only one clear favorite obliged. The average winning SP was a healthy 13/2, proving once again that the “Sunday Series” is where betting slips go to die or get legendary.
The “Northern Spirit” Protest
The 18:15 handicap provided the drama of the day, or lack thereof, from Northern Spirit. While the rest of the field prepared for a lung-bursting sprint, Northern Spirit decided that the starting stalls were actually a very cozy studio apartment. Despite the best efforts of the handlers, the horse simply refused to leave, essentially telling the starter: “I’ve seen the Scottish weather forecast, and I’m staying in.” He was officially marked as “Slowly Away” (by about three miles).
Tomorrow’s Pointers: Monday, April 13
If you’re looking to rebuild the bankroll after Northern Spirit’s sit-in, have a look at these 🐎 for Monday’s action.
Newcastle (All-Weather) 17:30 EW Fuzeyya: Dropped to a mark of 50; her pedigree suggests she is significantly better than this grade and remains a major player in this field.
Leicester (Afternoon Flat)
13.52 – Railwayman: K.R. Burke newcomer with a “Timeform P.” He’s a son of Blue Point and carries a lot of stable confidence for this debut.
Hexham (Jumps)
17:00 – Brandy McQueen: He’s the clear chance for the day at Hexham. He has a great record at the track and is currently clear on adjusted figures.
17:00 Ew Lunar Contact: The biggest threat to the favorite. Consistent, well-regarded, and also rated significantly clear of the rest of the field.
Based on the most recent data for the 2024–2026 period, here are the trainers you should keep an eye on when looking at the Hexham racecards.
If you are looking at long-term consistency over the past several seasons, these names dominate the Hexham leaderboard:
Current Season Leaders
Based on the most recent racing data, here are the top-performing trainers at Hexham:
Lucinda Russell
• Performance: 6 Wins from 31 Runs
• Strike Rate: 19%
• Insight: As the leading trainer at Hexham over the last five years, her stable is a consistent force.
Susan Corbett
• Performance: 5 Wins from 34 Runs
• Strike Rate: 15%
• Insight: She has been highly profitable for bettors recently, showing a strong +£32.20 return on a £1 stake.
Jennie Candlish
• Performance: 4 Wins from 12 Runs
• Strike Rate: 33%
• Insight: Boasts an exceptional strike rate, indicating she places her horses very effectively at this specific track.
George Bewley
• Performance: 4 Wins from 38 Runs
• Strike Rate: 11%
• Insight: A local mainstay who frequently targets specific handicaps at this venue.
Gary Hanmer
• Performance: 3 Wins from 6 Runs
• Strike Rate: 50%
• Insight: Despite the small sample size, he is incredibly efficient when sending runners north to this course.
Mark Walford: Currently one of the most successful trainers at the track with 26 wins from 140 runs (19% strike rate).
Nicky Richards: Known for a high-quality approach at Hexham, maintaining a 20% strike rate and a very high “place” percentage (44%).
Rebecca Menzies: Often has the highest number of runners at the track. While her win percentage is lower (8%), she is a frequent visitor to the winner’s enclosure due to volume.
John McConnell: The Irish “raider” to watch. When he brings horses across the Irish Sea to Hexham, they perform exceptionally well (approx. 35% win rate).
Strategic Insights for Hexham
The “Long-Travel” Factor: Keep an eye on trainers like Jamie Snowden, Nicky Henderson, or Alan King. They don’t send runners to Hexham often, but when they make the 250+ mile trip from the south, their strike rates are often above 25%.
The Finish: Because of the steep uphill finish, look for trainers who prioritize stamina. Stuart Coltherd and Susan Corbett often field horses that are battle-hardened for these specific conditions.
18+ only. Betting involves risk and losses are inevitable. Never gamble more than you can afford to lose and do not view betting as a way to make money. If gambling stops being enjoyable or becomes a concern, seek help
Silks and Shenanigans 