14:10 Sedgefield

Thursday 22 February 2018

All13:4014:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:05

Le Raaj Sedgefield Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:11 | Winning time: 5m 16.9s

Steps And Stairs⁴⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Dave Crosse| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 102

9/2

Scored twice (hudles/chase) for Jonjo O'Neill a few seasons ago but absent 453 days and makes debut here for new connections. Tough task with top weight but interesting to see if there is any market support for him.

Form: F/1P3P2-

Wood Pigeon^p¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: O Murphy| OR: 100

5/4

Yard enjoying a tremendous first season. Won at Fakenham in January off 3lb lower mark, then unseated at halfway at Towcester last time. Top rider replaces conditional so has prospects assuming he puts in a clear round.

Form: 9-64U1U

Cooper's Friend^p,t⁸¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: R P McLernon| T: R M Smith| OR: 92| CD

7/2

Only win in 17 starts over fences came over C&D in August 2016 on good ground. Looks to be in the grip of the handicapper on recent evidence and doubtful underfoot conditions will prove ideal.

Form: PP4344

Odds On Dan^p,t⁶⁰⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 10-4| J: Aaron Anderson⁽⁷⁾| T: L Egerton| OR: 78| C| D

12/1

Modest but consistent veteran handicap chaser a couple of seasons ago but has obviously had issues and returns here after 20 months on the sidelines. Ground will be testing enough for him and doesn't make great appeal.

Form: 4/21229-

Captain Sharpe^b,t¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Alison Clarke⁽⁷⁾| T: Kenny Johnson| OR: 76| C

25/1

Inconsistent sort who stays from 2-3m. Third under today's rider in selling handicap hurdle at this track last month but on overall profile is likely to find at least a few too good back over fences.

Form: 1P5P63

Court Painter⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-1| J: Alex Chadwick⁽⁷⁾| T: V Thompson| OR: 75

16/1

Out of his depth in Musselburgh novice chase last time and hadn't shown much in handicaps prior to that. Faces another stiff task and is hard to fancy.

Form: 48-24P4

What A Dream^p,t¹⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 10-0| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Mrs A C Hamilton| OR: 71

10/1

3-41 with all wins coming at Ayr. Ran respectably here over fences last February, handles the ground and not completely dismissed, but races from 3lb out of the handicap.

Form: 2549-16

Reverse The Charge^p⁵⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: Amie Waugh⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs J Walton| OR: 68

20/1

26 race maiden chaser, races from 6lb out of the handicap so has it all to do. Best effort for a long time when 33/1 third at Catterick last month, but will find the ground here plenty soft enough.

Form: P-449P3

Forecasts

Wood Pigeon (5/4), Cooper's Friend (7/2), Steps And Stairs (9/2), What A Dream (10/1), Odds On Dan (12/1), Court Painter (16/1), Reverse The Charge (20/1), Captain Sharpe (25/1)

A modest contest but one that provides a decent opportunity for WOOD PIGEON to atone for blundering away his chance at Towcester last time. He had previously won nicely at Fakenham. There are big question marks about virtually all of the rest. Both Steps And Stairs and Odds On Dan have ability but return after long lay-offs. Any market move for either would be worth noting, while What A Dream and Cooper's Friend are slow but may be plugging on to challenge for a place if in the mood.