bookies.com Sedgefield Tips 'National Hunt' Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Carries a 7lb penalty for last week's Newcastle success over this trip (kept on strongly), and has the profile of an improving handicapper. Versatile in terms of trip (won over 2m4f at Uttoxeter three starts back), and whilst this ground will be drying quickly, there's likely enough 'juice' left in it to suit this dual rules winner.

Much like his stablemate in the opener, this horse doesn't appear to be one of the stable's leading lights. However, as a handicapper, his career is in it's infancy, and whilst this novices handicap looks a realistic level, he may need to be dropped a few more pounds before troubling the judge.

Found precious little from the last despite travelling smoothly into contention when going under by 7¾L to Modulus at Newcastle last week. Hit hard by the assessor after winning at Uttoxeter on New Years Eve, but more worrying is the fact that the hood is now applied for the first time to the tongue tie which was added prior to Newcastle last week.

AW bumper winner in France who appears to have quickly lost his way since leaving Paul Nicholls. Wears both the hood and tongue tie (first time) for his handicap debut, needing to bounce back from dire efforts at Huntingdon and Uttoxeter since returning from a year off the track.

Pulled up when made 11/4f for his handicap debut in January at Ayr (race has worked out fairly well on the whole since), so clearly thought capable of figuring at this lowly level. His form prior to that below par effort in novice hurdles was reasonable enough without being anything startling.

Point-to-point winner who was well beaten over a marathon trip (3m3f) on his handicap debut at this track last month. This massive drop in trip would appear to be clutching at straws, but the stable landed a gamble with a similar sort (Knocknamona) at Newcastle last week, so worth a check in the market.