14:00 Sedgefield

Monday 6 February 2017

All14:0014:3515:0515:3516:0516:35

WRAM Fabrications Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 7m 1.9s

Sue Oscar^t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: R P McLernon| T: C Grant| OR: 98

33/1

Two runs for current trainer in January (moved from Gavin Cromwell) have seen no improvement on his Irish form, and although mark is falling quickly and drops in grade here, has little to recommend.

Form: 508789

Eager To Know³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Finian O'Toole⁽⁵⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 97

25/1

Winner of a point-to-point last year, before joining current yard in November. Has shown little but not totally disgraced at Newcastle last time, finishing fifth. Goes handicapping off a low mark and in a low class event, so can't be totally discounted. Watch the market.

Form: 475754-

Onwiththeparty^p¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Harry Challoner| T: Kenneth Slack| OR: 95

2/1

Trainer has established a good record at Sedgefield in very little time (18-50 for a 36% strike rate) and three runs for this yard have shown he retains his ability. However, is now 0-17 and was well behind Snapping Turtle when last seen, so one for placepots rather than the win.

Form: 538-542

Simply Blessed^p1²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 91

15/2

Not really progressed since a good debut in a bumper at Worcester last summer and last two runs in maiden/novice hurdles at Ffos Las nothing short of awful, but should stay well on breeding and goes handicapping on a low-looking mark. Yard no great record here though, and probably best watched until showing some form.

Form: 244780

Dance And Romance^t1²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: B S Hughes| T: T D Easterby| OR: 85

14/1

Shown very little in six runs to date and no better on handicap debut at Sedgefield in early December. Hopes pinned on this huge step up in trip but can't really be looked at as a likely winner.

Form: 48453-0

Houndscourt^t,v³⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Henry Brooke| T: Miss J E Foster| OR: 85

9/4

Often travels well in his races before finding little in the finish, but a change of tactics seemed to work the oracle last time, going from the front and finding more than usual to win eased down (fifth, Ask Paddy, a winner at Catterick last week). 9lb rise for that still leaves him on a winning mark on old form, and has to be on the shortlist.

Form: 312548-

Joseph Mercer^v²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: A Nicol| T: Miss T Jackson| OR: 83

7/2

Only the one win in 23 starts but running with some consistency at present, finishing third to Houndscourt (9lb better here) although a bit one paced at the finish. Needs to prove this trip suits as well as shorter, but gives the impression he will stay, and every chance of hitting the places again.

Form: 545P-PP

Notonebuttwo^p,h,t³²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: Thomas Dowson⁽⁵⁾| T: Kenny Johnson| OR: 69

16/1

Won a chase here at Sedgefield last March (over a furlong shorter) and well handicapped on that, but has regressed since and connections trying various combinations of headgear on his last few starts hardly inspires confidence either. Needs a turnaround in form, but difficult to see where it's coming from.

Form: 5564P0-

Blue Cove^p1³⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 10-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Miss L C Siddall| OR: 64

40/1

Stays all day and occasionally hits the frame at a big price, but no win in 32 starts now and that is a glaring issue. Races from out of the handicap here and is an unlikely winner.

Form: P/00833-

Non-Runners

Snapping Turtle²⁴

Weight: 11-10| Age: 12

T: D W Whillans J: Callum Whillans

Agent Louise²⁴

Weight: 11-5| Age: 9

T: M E Sowersby J: R D Day

The Model County¹⁷

Weight: 10-4| Age: 7

T: A Phillips J: R Johnson

Forecasts

Onwiththeparty (2/1), Houndscourt (9/4), Joseph Mercer (7/2), Snapping Turtle (9/2), Simply Blessed (15/2), The Model County (10/1), Dance And Romance (14/1), Notonebuttwo (16/1), Eager To Know (25/1), Agent Louise (25/1), Sue Oscar (33/1), Blue Cove (40/1)

Now that HOUNDSCOURT has remembered what it takes to win a race, he might be able to follow up despite the rise in the weights as he's still nicely handicapped on old form. Expect to see him out front again. It's wide open for the places, with Onwiththeparty, Joseph Mercer and old Snapping Turtle all holding solid form claims, and the likes of Agent Louise and The Model County capable if in the mood. 1. Houndscourt 2. Onwiththeparty 3. Snapping Turtle