13:45 Sedgefield

Friday 8 December 2017

All12:1012:4013:1513:4514:2014:5515:25

Brian Ellison Racing Club Novices' Handicap Chase (Qualifier)

Off time: 13:46 | Winning time: 7m 1.50s

The Horsechesnut^p,t¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 105

12/1

Only completed the course once last season and again pulled up on seasonal reappearance at Uttoxeter. Decent hurdler but one completion in five chase starts ample reason to look elsewhere.

Form: 1/FP5P-P

Ask Paddy²⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Callum Bewley⁽³⁾| T: S England| OR: 103| BF| C

5/1

Won three times over hurdles last season including twice here over 2m4f. Inconclusive stamina wise in lone 3m race but this surely a big ask on that front particularly on chase debut.

Form: 451116-

Pinch Of Ginger²⁰⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 101

4/1

3m point-to-point winner unsuccessful so far under rules. Ordinary form only over hurdles however he is clearly unexposed for this sort of trip on chasing debut so possibly somewhat a dark horse.

Form: 1/4632-3

Wood Pigeon^p³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Ian Popham| T: O Murphy| OR: 100| BF

5/1

Competitive in three handicap chase starts in Ireland in early 2016 but hurdles only since. Disappointing on season and stable debut at Ayr but given time since and there is mileage in this mark if he retains all ability.

Form: 33/359-6

Dick Darsie⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 94

7/2

Third to end last season his best effort to date over fences. Struggling on return when unseating four out. Not sure to stay this trip, the farthest he has tackled so far but mark now workable if he does.

Form: 3P553-U

Kings Eclipse²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: B S Hughes| T: A Wilson| OR: 87

5/1

Weakened late on in lone start over this far over hurdles although ground bottomless that day. Often looked like he wanted such a test so worth another go on chase debut. In good form as he bids to ends trainer's 800 day winless streak.

Form: 49-5924

Smiling Jessica^b1⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: Tony Kelly| T: R Menzies| OR: 83

8/1

Second in both chase races this season and looked a real dour stayer latest over 3m2f at Doncaster. Not out of this off same mark and blinkers might just liven her up.

Form: 84VP22

Inchcolm²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: Alain Cawley| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 83

16/1

Stays 3m although pulled up over course and distance in only start over this far. Chance off this sort of mark at best form last year but well below that in two starts this season so bounce back would be required.

Form: 3P-22P6

Forecasts

Dick Darsie (7/2), Pinch Of Ginger (4/1), Kings Eclipse (5/1), Ask Paddy (5/1), Wood Pigeon (5/1), Smiling Jessica (8/1), The Horsechesnut (12/1), Inchcolm (16/1)

Andy Wilson's 800 day wait for a winner might just end here with KINGS ECLIPSE in good form and likely to relish this stamina test. Jumping will be key on his chasing debut but if he passes that test he has an excellent chance. Smiling Jessica is a danger after good efforts in two chases this season. She got too far behind latest so hopefully blinkers will help her to stay in contention early. Ask Paddy had a profitable campaign last season and still has time on his side to continue his improvement. Stamina is an unknown but if he stays he is a big player.