14:10 Sedgefield
Friday 7 April 2017
All14:1014:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:30
Betfred 'Racing's Biggest Supporter' Handicap Chase
- 5YO plus | Class 5 | 3m 2f 59y | Good | 10 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 6m 42.2s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Has made little progression since switched to fencing and has seen his handicap mark fall by 14lb in three races since May 2016. This is weaker than the race he finished sixth of 11 in to Finaghy Ayr at Carlisle in February, but needs to show more now encountering drying ground.
Dual Point-to-Point winner, but has been far less effective over fences under rules. Pulled up in each of his last three races (twice over fences), there would appear little reason to expect more in this race.
Veteran, but a two time chase winner who bounced back to form when beaten narrowly by Midnight Jade at Bangor late last month (3m good to soft). Raised 6lb, but that last success did come during the month of April (in 2015), and quite possible that this is his time of the year.
Cartmel hurdles winner in May 2016 who made his rules chasing debut over C&D in early December (a well beaten fifth to Cabragh), but has been absent since. Most likely has been waiting for better ground, and early days to be writing off any horse from this trainer with age on his side.
Twice placed during a five race Point-to-Point career, but also twice on the floor, and pulled up on his recent rules chasing debut at Musselburgh (2m4f) after making mistakes in the rear, so his fencing is clearly a major concern.
Has shown the majority of his best form at Southwell, and notched a quickfire hurdles/fences double during May 2016. Entitled to have needed last month's return to action, so can go better on ground which will suit.
Moderate mare who wears the first time cheek-pieces, and was soundly beaten over 2m5f+ around the sharp twists and turns of Fakenham last month. A surprise if she's involved at the finish.
Improved his rather poor win ratio when registering a second ever career success last month. That 3m2½f Musselburgh victory came in a very winnable contest (not that this race is any stronger), and with his 7lb claimers allowance, is effectively 5lb lower today. Debatable as to whether he'll reproduce that effort, but a major player if doing so with his trainer in much better form over the past six weeks.
Won from a 10lb higher mark at Wetherby in November 2015, having run with credit over this C&D (third) earlier in that campaign, but has looked out of love with the game lately, and impossible to fancy as a result.
Course hurdles winner in May 2015 (3m3f), whose only other career success came over fences at Hexham in May 2016, when making all in a 3m novices handicap chase. Beaten just under 5L by Oscar Lateen on his return to the track last month, so capable of minor improvement with his trainer in fair form.
Forecasts
Heart O Annandale (7/2), Mahler Lad (5/1), What A Game (5/1), Medal Of Freedom (7/1), Oscar Lateen (9/1), Longueville Flier (9/1), French Seventyfive (10/1), Celtic Thunder (12/1), Cruising Bye (14/1), Sweet Belle (28/1)
A low grade opener in which at least a couple of the runners can be expected to do better than on their recent returns to action. Both French Seventyfive and Heart of Annandale fit this profile, with the latter bidding to gain his revenge on his Musselburgh conqueror Oscar Lateen. What A Game hails from a respected yard and can do better over fences on this drying ground with age on his side, but the vote goes the veteran CRUISING BYE who could have one more race in him judged upon his solid effort at Bangor last month. Whilst he's been raised 6lb which is far from ideal, this could well be his time of the year, and he has the excellent Lucy Alexander booked to do the steering.
- Cruising Bye
- Oscar Lateen
- What A Game
Prize Money
1st: £2,599.002nd: £763.003rd: £382.004th: £191.00
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