14:10 Sedgefield
Thursday 23 February 2017
All14:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:05
Brian Ellison Beat The Best Winner Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus  |  Class 4  |  2m 178y  |  Soft  |  7 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 14:10Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 4m 27.18s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Sole career hurdles success came in a weak maiden hurdle over this C&D in April 2016. May also gone close but for unseating his rider two out on his penultimate start at Kelso in October. Hardly the most convincing profile, but returns from a short break in his regular headgear.
Now just 2lb higher than when recording a narrow success over C&D in November 2016. He was probably not suited by the step up in trip on his subsequent outing on Boxing Day and faced a difficult task last time against the in-form front running Tonto's Spirit. He is unlikely to be troubled by any significant easing in the ground.
Often travels best at the business end of a race, but doesn't always deliver the strongest of finishing efforts. However, he's a proven performer over this C&D and will also handle any significant rainfall, but needs to show more than when returning to hurdles at Doncaster earlier this month following a spell over fences.
Bang in form track specialist who is a combined total of 16lb higher for a pair of C&D victories since Boxing Day. Appeared to be handed the latter of those victories on a plate by the errant Strait Run, but wasn't disgraced behind Lady Buttons (who has followed up since) at Newcastle previously, and warrants respect at this track.
Ex Flat racer for Charlie Appleby, but hurdles form since switching to current yard can hardly be described as promising. Makes his handicap debut today with age on his side and his stable in form but needs to step up markedly on what he's shown since November.
Both hurdles victories have come on testing ground over this C&D, and is 4lb lower than for the latest of those successes in February 2016. However, he's run at this track on four occasions since then and has work to do to reverse placings with Dark and Dangerous and Strait Run on his third placed effort over C&D earlier this month.
Possibly not helped by the final hurdle being omitted over C&D last time when he was run out of it by Dark and Dangerous after seeming to look for the paddock exit which caused him to hang right. He was also bogged down by the slightly deeper ground. He has been hit with a 2lb rise, but renews rivalries with his conqueror on better terms off a lightweight which will almost certainly help if conditions soften.
Forecasts
Stilo Blue Native (9/4), Dark And Dangerous (10/3), Astrum (9/2), Strait Run (9/2), Fiddler's Flight (7/1), Boethius (16/1), Baraboy (22/1)
Dark and Dangerous seeks a third Sedgefield success since Boxing Day, and clearly handles the undulations of this track perfectly, but it must be doubtful whether he'd have beaten STRAIT RUN last time but for that rival edging right after the omitted final hurdle, and the Micky Hammond trained six-year-old can build upon that improved showing off a lightweight with Joe Colliver seeking to make amends from the saddle.
1. Strait Run
2. Dark And Dangerous
3. Baraboy
Prize Money
1st: £3,899.002nd: £1,145.003rd: £572.004th: £286.00
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