13:20 Sedgefield
Sunday 29 January 2017
All13:2013:5014:2014:5015:2015:5016:20
Crescent Homecare Limited Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus | Class 4 | 2m 178y | Good to Soft (Soft in places) | 10 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 13:20 | Winning time: 4m 16.7s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Fairly useful novice for Keith Reveley, and dual winner including over C&D in November 2014 (Soft). Off the track for over two years and switched to this stable (same ownership), and ran well on return and handicap debut over C&D when weakening from the last after seemingly travelling like the winner. Raised 4lb, but sure to run well.
Took a 2m4f Southwell maiden hurdle on his third start for Dan Skelton in December 2015, but hasn't been able to back that up in five starts in handicaps. In fairness, he has contested stronger races than this in the main, and was third at Cheltenham in October from a 3lb higher mark, but this trip is likely on the sharp side, and he has held entries in novice chases recently.
Dual purpose campaigner who enjoyed a fair season as a novice in 2014/15, winning at Kelso and Hexham (both Good to Soft), and as a result, started life in handicaps from a tricky mark. However, back to a perch of 115, he ran well when a length runner up at Wetherby on Boxing Day and again promises to be competitive off a 2lb higher mark.
Sole hurdles success so far was a narrow one (nose), and came in a juvenile maiden at Wetherby in October 2015, but ran well in defeat thereafter for the majority of the remainder of that campaign. A mark in the mid 120's has been high enough in all age handicaps this season, and now having slipped gradually back to 116 this looks more realistic, but needs to show more than when eighth of ten on Boxing Day to figure.
Was two from three in bumpers for Brian Ellison after leaving the point-to-point field during the latter part of 2015, and did well to score on hurdles debut at Doncaster in November after a year off the track (forged clear). Beaten a distance behind a fair novice over C&D next time, he makes his handicap debut today off a reasonable mark of 115.
Previously with Micky Hammond (same ownership) and has made just the two starts for Rebecca Menzies. Whilst his debut run at Wetherby in early December offered encouragement for a revival, he wasn't so good next time at Kelso, and without a success since June 2015 (chase debut) can be passed over despite a declining mark of 115.
C&D winner of a minor novice hurdle in August 2015 who has largely been consistent over fences whilst still appearing to be fully exposed. Beaten in a match (1/2f) at Leicester most latterly, and returns to hurdles today for the first time since April 2016.
Maiden after five career starts, including twice in over hurdles at Bangor last spring, and returns from a break in handicap company for the first time from a mark of 114.
Dual purpose campaigner who backed up a 33/1 hurdles success at Cartmel in May 2016, with a 1m4f Flat success at Musselburgh in June 2016. Returned from a short break in a novices event on New Year's Day at Catterick, and now goes handicapping off a mark of 114. Likes to race prominently.
A winner from a 6lb higher mark at Wetherby in March 2016 (Good to Soft), who after a couple of spins on the Flat mid summer took a break until returning in early December. Closely match with Endless Credit on their Boxing Day running (his best), he possibly found the ground too testing last time at Haydock.
Forecasts
Spiculas (9/4), Robin Of Locksley (9/4), Mahlerdramatic (11/1), Endless Credit (11/1), Tonto's Spirit (12/1), Hartside (12/1), Our Thomas (14/1), Prince Khurram (14/1), Vodka Wells (16/1), Road To Rome (33/1)
A compact handicap with the entire field separated by just 9lb top to bottom. SPICULAS should come on enormously for the return to the track last time. He travelled like a good horse for the majority of that contest, and was possibly only undone for fitness late in the race. He might not want this to develop into a slog (some rain is forecast), but is the selection assuming the ground is no worse than soft. Mahlerdramatic was a shade disappointing last time over C&D, but could do better now switched to handicapping, whilst Hartside is a capable performer on his day and with his mark beginning to relent has scope to turn his Wetherby Boxing Day form with Endless Credit around and could run into a place at decent odds.
1. Spiculas
2. Hartside
3. Mahlerdramatic
Prize Money
1st: £3,249.002nd: £954.003rd: £477.004th: £238.00
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