Perthshire trainer Lucinda Russell has a real course and distance specialist in Prince Dundee, so he is fancied to make a step up in class and land a third Hexham handicap chase over 3m in as many months (20:20).
This six-year-old son of Stowaway has really come into his own on good ground at the Northumberland venue with consecutive victories there.
Prince Dundee failed to trouble the judge in four starts over hurdles after being pulled up in his sole point-to-point outing, but has improved for the switch to fences.
One of the unique demands Hexham racecourse places upon horses that run there is they have to climb sharply uphill whilst turning for home, so that means course and distance winners like this one have to be respected.
Although left in front at the last to score by five lengths and finally break the maiden tag here two starts back, there was no fluke about how Prince Dundee followed-up last time out.
Consecutive course and distance winner
He made all, jumping well to win unchallenged off a mark of 87. Prince Dundee was value for more than the winning margin of 2 1/2 lengths from stable companion Exit To Where.
While the handicapper has raised his rating 10lb for that bloodless victory, the manner in which he won suggests he well worth a crack at this level.
At a track which clearly plays to his strengths and on ground which looks key, Prince Dundee is a worthy 6/4 favourite with Bethard to complete his Hexham hat-trick.
His progressive profile means returning to a career high mark of 97 looks fair and regular jockey Blair Campbell takes a handy 5lb off with his claim.
Taking all that into account, there is simply nothing not to like about Prince Dundee and his chances of yet another successful cross-border raider from Scotland in this.
Bet of the Day: 6/4 with Bethard, Prince Dundee to win 3m handicap chase at Hexham (20:20).
