13:35 Sedgefield

Tuesday 26 December 2017

All11:5512:2513:0013:3514:0514:4015:15

Gary Wood Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:35 | Winning time: 5m 0.64s

Tonto's Spirit^h¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: Rachel McDonald⁽⁷⁾| T: Kenneth Slack| OR: 121| C

2/1

Recorded a Catterick double on the Flat but finished a held 8L last of three on his return to hurdling at Wetherby (2m, soft) earlier this month. Interesting having won off this mark at Carlisle (soft) in February.

Form: 3110-73

Octagon²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Bannister| T: H Whittington| OR: 120

11/4

Bidding to complete a hat-trick following two selling hurdle successes for this yard. Finished runner-up at Hereford (good) over 2m in a handicap contest on debut for this stable in October last year and he is one to note today.

Form: 2P4/2-11

Danceintothelight^t³⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Abbie McCain⁽⁷⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 116| CD

14/1

Just touched off in an amateur riders handicap hurdle at Kelso (2m, good) in October. Well held in two subsequent outings in that sphere and races off a mark 7lb higher than when successful over C&D in August.

Form: 4-P1264

Iolani²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Colm McCormack⁽³⁾| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 115

28/1

Successful on the Flat and placed over hurdles when trained by Willie Mullins in Ireland. Well beaten on debut for this yard and his first handicap start in this sphere at Haydock (2m3f, heavy) earlier this month and more needed today.

Form: 332F67

Bal De Rio^p1⁶⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: W T Kennedy| T: B Ellison| OR: 115

6/1

Placed in all three novice hurdle starts for this stable most including when a neck second over C&D on good ground in August. One for the shortlist in first time cheekpieces on handicap debut.

Form: 232

Allfredandnobell³²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Finian O'Toole⁽⁵⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 107

12/1

Winner once from six starts over hurdles and put in a fair effort when beaten 26L into third on his return to hurdling at Catterick (good-to-soft) last time out. Races off a 2lb lower mark today.

Form: 31538-3

Dark And Dangerous^b¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Amie Waugh⁽⁷⁾| T: S Waugh| OR: 106| C

6/1

Successful three times over 2m1f here last season. Improving with racing this time around and ran well to finish 6L second on soft ground here last time out. Regular pilot in the saddle stepping up in distance today.

Form: 1FP-482

Chilly Miss³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Mr Aiden Blakemore⁽¹⁰⁾| T: J M Jefferson| OR: 106

10/1

Absent for over a year prior to finishing a decent fourth of six at Southwell (good) in August. Best effort since came when runner-up at Southwell (good) last time out though she would probably prefer the ground quicker than is forecast today.

Form: 33-4372

Forecasts

Tonto's Spirit (2/1), Octagon (11/4), Bal De Rio (6/1), Dark And Dangerous (6/1), Chilly Miss (10/1), Allfredandnobell (12/1), Danceintothelight (14/1), Iolani (28/1)

TONTO'S SPIRIT is back down to his last winning mark and he is taken to register his third hurdles success of 2017 and second at this venue today. The selection returns to 0-120 company today and can make all to register his fourth victory in nine starts over hurdles. Octagon has been in good form in selling company of late and he can finish second today while Bal De Rio is taken to finish third on his first outing in handicap company.