Big Hopes for Lee at Hexham Graham Lee has a few interesting mounts at Hexham. The Galway-native will be on a couple of forecast short-priced favourites for Donald McCain. One of these, Fabalu made it fourth time lucky in Irish point-to-points, when beating subsequent bumper scorer, The Midnight Club, by six lengths at Bandon. He followed up a fortnight later at Cloyne, for Jimmy Mangan, after which his trainer described jumping and stamina as his charge's strong points. It was a good effort a further two weeks on, to go down by ten lengths to Inchidaly Rock (Paul Nicholls' very promising sort) at Liscarroll. Has since joined the Bankhouse Stables of the McCains and began for them with an excellent second in a competitive Aintree bumper. Bought at Doncaster in May, Fabalu seems to have strong claims in this eight runner At The Races Virgin 534 "National Hunt" Maiden Hurdle. The aforementioned Jimmy Mangan is the breeder of Cave Hill, who Lee takes the ride on in the totetrifecta Handicap Hurdle. This Trevor Hemmings-owned gelding has his first start for Malcolm Jefferson. He won a bumper in his time with Henrietta Knight before his form tailed-off. A smashing big horse, the Dr Massini six-year-old began his career with a win in a Loughbrickland four and five-year-old geldings' maiden for Wilson Dennison and Colin McKeever. Cave Hill would appear to have his chance in this extended two and a half mile contest for a yard in form. (EM)
