16:05 Sedgefield
Monday 6 February 2017
All14:0014:3515:0515:3516:0516:35
Wills Property Services Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus | Class 5 | 2m 3f 188y | Soft (Good to Soft in places) | 12 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 5m 8.90s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Showed some ability in novice hurdles at Ffos Las last year, but didn't perform on handicap debut at Exeter when upped markedly in trip (not unfancied). Stopped very quickly there and to that end the first time tongue tie today will help, but still has a little to prove now.
Modest on the flat for Steve Gollings (stayed 12f) and had shown very little over hurdles until latest effort when not totally disgraced behind the useful Appy Days at Musselburgh. Looks to have been harshly handicapped on that, however, and there are better options today.
Infrequent winner who has shown next to nothing on five starts this winter, often finishing weakly. Needs a huge turnaround in form to get involved here.
Has done well for current connections and knows how to win (has won four of last nine starts) should the opportunity arise, which is more than most of these do. Took a Fontwell handicap chase from a previous winner last time out and is 5lb lower here due to inferior hurdles mark. Obvious chance of following up, given he tends to hold form when he finds it.
Came good at Ayr last week (well fancied, went off 3-1 favourite) and winning amateur rider is retained, but interesting connections feel cheekpieces are required despite that win. Travelled well there, but might prefer more testing conditions than are likely today.
Showed a bit more latest when finishing fourth at Wetherby and given that was only his second handicap start may well have more to offer, but the worry is that the finishing effort was a bit weak and he may need more time before getting on the scoresheet. One to monitor today, with a view to the future.
Bit inconsistent but pops up now and then, as he did when winning at Ayr in December and has put in a couple of decent efforts since, including when second to Dark And Dangerous over this C&D on Boxing Day. Probably found the trip too far at Musselburgh last time but wasn't disgraced anyway, and if on a going day today, would hold a chance.
On the plus side, best efforts (as they are) have come at Sedgefield (twice second in chases here) but was well beaten in a selling hurdle last time, with the first time cheekpieces not appearing to help in any way. Maiden after 18 runs and looks unlikely to break that sequence today.
Well beaten in three novice hurdles but did a little better on handicap debut at Bangor on latest start, finishing midfield (not unbacked despite 22-1 price tag). Made mistakes then, which will need to be ironed out here, but overall impression is that he's capable of better. Hard task here, but keep one eye on the market again.
Third to Lochalsh at Ayr in December the only bright spot in his otherwise letter-filled form figures of late, and first time blinkers today need to have a major effect (has tried cheekpieces, visors and tongue tie, all to little avail). Brian Hughes, on board for that Ayr effort, is back in the saddle here but other positives are hard to find.
Moderate on the flat and has shown little aptitude for hurdling in five starts so far. Looks a hard ride to boot (takes a hold) and an unlikely winner.
Travelled well but finished weakly on first two handicap starts, possibly finding three miles too far at Wetherby on penultimate start, but made no mistake when a change of tactics was employed at Catterick last week, going from the front and winning with any amount in hand. Goes from same mark here as that was a Conditionals event, and an obvious chance of following up, with trip and ground fine.
Forecasts
Ask Paddy (4/7), Slidecheck (6/1), Simmply Sam (13/2), Dutch Canyon (11/1), Lochalsh (12/1), Knocknamona (20/1), Aaryam (20/1), King Of The Dark (28/1), Wonga Swinger (33/1), Insight (50/1), Politbureau (66/1), Indulgent (100/1)
As much as a few of these come into this in good form, it could be a one-horse race if ASK PADDY repeats his Catterick win of last week from the same mark today. A switch to front running seemed to do the trick, and we can expect the same tactics to be used again today. Slidecheck deserves marks for consistency and may well fill the runner up spot, and it's worth watching the market to see if there's any support for Wonga Swinger, who may be capable of better.
1. Ask Paddy
2. Slidecheck
3. Wonga Swinger
Prize Money
1st: £3,249.002nd: £954.003rd: £477.004th: £238.00
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