15:35 Sedgefield

Monday 6 February 2017

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

JG Paxtons Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 5m 41.6s

Edmund^b,t²²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Jamie Hamilton⁽³⁾| T: Mrs A Hamilton| OR: 120

25/1

In good form last spring, rattling off back to back wins here at Sedgefield (both over a slightly shorter trip) but seems to have found his revised mark too much to cope with since. Handicapper starting to relent and drops in grade here, both of which offer hope, and if revived by short break, isn't out of this.

Form: 7-11463

Thedrinkymeister^p¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 116

7/2

Beaten too far out for comfort at Hexham when last seen, but that was after a seven month absence and it's possible he needed the run. Needed some help from the handicapper before winning at Wetherby last April, but the yard do well here (5-11 last five seasons) and on that alone, a revival can't be discounted.

Form: 44P421-

Wolf Sword²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 115

2/1

Finally got his reward for a series of consistent efforts with a hard fought victory at Uttoxeter in December, but 5lb rise for that looks more than enough he needs to improve again to take this. Yard a little bit quiet in February too.

Form: 523122

Notnowsam^p²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Henry Brooke| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 114

33/1

Capable of solid form at a bare 2m for Dan Skelton, but getting beaten miles for new yard (Micky Hammond) and although handicapper starting to help, the trip is a glaring issue here anyway.

Form: 4-877PP

Dr Robin^v²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 112

4/1

A winner over hurdles at Worcester (from a 2lb lower mark) last August, but shown little for the switch to fences and the application of a visor last time didn't improve the situation. Needs to fins some improvement from somewhere, and difficult to see where it's coming from today.

Form: 32P12P

Attimo^p,t⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 111

15/2

May be happier going left-handed than right-handed and to that end his below-par run at Market Rasen last time is best forgiven, and if concentrating on his previous win at Sedgefield then he would appear to have every chance. Cheekpieces, on for the first time then, are retained and this sound jumper can get involved again.

Form: 443PP7-

San Pietro¹⁹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Challoner| T: R Ford| OR: 110

28/1

Not seen since pulling up behind Schindlers Prince at Uttoxeter last July, but won a couple of small events at Bangor last April and may have more to offer this spring. May need this run and quicker ground, so one to monitor rather than bet today.

Form: 126PP2

Premier Grand Cru^t²⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 10-13| J: B S Hughes| T: J Ewart| OR: 107

6/1

Only seen a racecourse three times in the last two years, but was capable of winning from higher marks than today's back in 2014 and most recent effort at Ayr suggests all is not lost. Trip and ground are both fine, and booking of Brian Hughes is a plus, but yard badly out of form at present, which has to be a concern.

Form: 341U5/3

Verko¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Finian O'Toole⁽⁵⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 104

12/1

Seems to reserve best efforts for Sedgefield these days, which is the straw to clutch here, as recent form has taken a nosedive and he has been well beaten on his last three starts. Is at least back on his last winning mark, so perhaps needs a market check.

Form: 755536-

Non-Runners

Hawkhurst⁴⁶

Weight: 11-11| Age: 7

T: B Haslam J: R P McLernon

Forecasts

Wolf Sword (2/1), Thedrinkymeister (7/2), Dr Robin (4/1), Premier Grand Cru (6/1), Hawkhurst (6/1), Attimo (15/2), Verko (12/1), Edmund (25/1), San Pietro (28/1), Notnowsam (33/1)

Almost all of these come with some risk, and with that in mind, it's worth chancing THE DRINKYMEISTER bouncing back after a poor effort at Hexham. It;s the fact that Kim Bailey doesn't waste his time sendong no-hopers up here that swings the verdict his way, and with conditions ideal, he can get back on the winning trail. Attimo is generally trustworthy and should run well now going back left-handed, and top weight Edmund can get involved for the places too. 1. Thedrinkymeister 2. Attimo 3. Edmund