Sedgefield Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:55 | Winning time: 4m 20.00s

Beeno^h²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Robert Hogg⁽⁷⁾| T: Kenneth Slack| OR: 128| D

8/1

Rattled off a fine Cartmel hattrick in handicap hurdles last summer, shooting up the ratings as a result. Looked a non-stayer over longer trip last month and better at this distance. Not ruled out but still 7lb higher than last winning mark.

Form: 111253

Archive⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: C R King| T: B Ellison| OR: 128| D

5/1

Won three times in Ireland before making winning debut for current yard in Ayr handicap chase in November. Two poor runs since and switches to hurdles. Handicapped to the hilt on old form so will need to have improved to win.

Form: 145155

Delegate^t⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: B S Hughes| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 127| D

5/2

Won four for Gordon Elliott in Irleand before joining current yard in November. Had wind op following month and obliged in Musselburgh novice chase last time. Connections trying to exploit lower hurdles mark and should be thereabouts.

Form: 9-61P31

Mydor^p¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: Kenneth Slack| OR: 127

16/1

Won three on Flat in France and three hurdles in Ireland. Tailed off on debut for new yard earlier this month over 3m and may have needed the run. Drop in trip of interest though and a better show not ruled out.

Form: 02950-7

Craig Star^p²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 122

9/4

Won two of his last five and run well three other starts of late. Raised 6lb for gutsy Kelso success last time and handicapper may now have his measure. Needs another step forward to score.

Form: 31U221

Apterix²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Danny Cook| T: B Ellison| OR: 121| CD

12/1

Landed three novice chases last term. Dropped 13lb over hurdles following five poor runs this campaign but dangerously well handicapped if staging a revival. Worth a market check for any sign of stable confidence.

Form: 6-036P4

Ninepointsixthree^p¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 112| D

6/1

Took Market Rasen selling hurdle on Boxing Day then ran better in defeat in non-selling handicap hurdle at Musselburgh earlier this month. Raised 4lb for that but in good heart and not dismissed out of hand.

Form: 543612

Forecasts

Craig Star (9/4), Delegate (5/2), Archive (5/1), Ninepointsixthree (6/1), Beeno (8/1), Apterix (12/1), Mydor (16/1)

DELEGATE seemed to have benefitted from a wind operation when winning nicely over fences last time. Off a lower mark over hurdles he has an obvious chance if his breathing holds up once again. Craig Star also won last time (Kelso) and has gone up in the weights, but is in rude health and won't be far away, and Archive is another who is fully exposed but may appreciate the return to hurdling. On old form Apterix would have a big chance but he's been in the doldrums, while Kenneth Slack's pair of Beeno and Mydor both have a squeak if back on song.