16:10 Sedgefield

Thursday 7 September 2017

All14:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:4017:10

Alice Bendle Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 4m 3.1s

Gibson Park⁷^{(ex 7)}

Age: 4| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr S Davies-Thomas⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 118| CD

11/4

Has won twice since joining this stable, including when an easy 13L winner of a C&D novices hurdle last week. Steps into handicap company for the first time with his rider removing an extremely handy 7lb.

Form: 91-221

Peruvien Bleu¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Chester Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Nick Williams| OR: 123

7/2

A three time winner over this trip over hurdles (twice at Ludlow) and was denied a hat-trick on his seasonal return by Couer Tantre at Newton Abbot late last month. Lost little in defeat there to a race-fit rival and much respected.

Form: 4031-12

Master Of Finance^p¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: B S Hughes| T: J M Jefferson| OR: 121| BF

3/1

Competitive for the bulk of last term from marks in the 120's after progressing from the novice ranks (Ayr winner in October 2016). A former fair Flat racer for Mark Johnston, his recent run on the Flat at York should see him sharper here.

Form: 46229-4

Beyondtemptation^h,t¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Thomas Dowson⁽⁵⁾| T: J C Haynes| OR: 115| CD

28/1

Admirable Hexham specialist who is versatile in terms of trip. However, her form has gradually tailed off since a heavy fall there in early June and she appears held by the handicapper at present.

Form: 31F808

Our Kylie³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr Kaine Wood⁽⁷⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 115| D

11/2

Mixes Flat racing with hurdling, and has shown ability under both codes (seven time career winner). This is easier than the Galway handicap she contested in early August (2016 winner) and merits respect despite an advancing mark on decent ground.

Form: 341/11-0

Benny In Milan¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Henry Brooke| T: M Todhunter| OR: 113

20/1

A winner over 2m3f at Fontwell (good to firm) in June on his final outing for Peter Fahey, and was possibly unsuited by the softer conditions when a bitter disappointment on his stable debut at Cartmel last month. Dropped 3lb subsequently.

Form: 0787-18

Avidity³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: C O'Farrell| T: J Ewart| OR: 110| D

14/1

A useful horse on his day, and has served connections well since his novice days. Arguably high enough in the weights for a while, but the handicapper is relenting and a switch back to hurdles might be the catalyst to spark a much needed revival.

Form: 1P5-2P9

Fiosrach^p,t⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: T Scudamore| T: James Moffatt| OR: 107

12/1

Steps away from Cartmel for the first time in a while after unsuccessfully locking horns with various stablemates at the Lakes venue of late. Not fully exposed after just four starts for this yard, and a slight drop in the weights is a positive.

Form: 943-264

Forecasts

Gibson Park (11/4), Master Of Finance (3/1), Peruvien Bleu (7/2), Our Kylie (11/2), Fiosrach (12/1), Avidity (14/1), Benny In Milan (20/1), Beyondtemptation (28/1)

GIBSON PARK was an emphatic winner of a C&D novices hurdle last week in what was the latest stage of his upwardly mobile career path since joining Dan Skelton. He steps up into handicap company for the first time, with the talented Sam Davies-Thomas removing a valuable 7lb from his back. Without doubt he is the progressive horse that the others have to aim towards, with Peruvian Bleu likely to give him most to do if slightly stronger for his recent Newton Abbot comeback.