17:10 Sedgefield

Monday 23 April 2018

All17:1017:4018:1018:4019:1019:4020:10

Phoenix Security Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:10 | Winning time: 3m 57.20s

Hardrock Davis¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Callum Bewley⁽³⁾| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 100| BF

15/2

Backed into favouritism on his handicap debut he failed to complete (fell 5th) but remains open to improvement. Was going well at the time over C&D and if he remains upright here he should take a hand.

Form: 5/505-5F

Derrynane^t⁶⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 100| BF

4/1

Gone the right way since he was sent into handicaps winning over 2m at Catterick a couple of starts ago. Shown up well in two starts since without having the race to run to suit each time although a beaten favourite on both occasions.

Form: F6-4124

Fort Jefferson^p1¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 100

5/1

Caught the eye in maiden hurdles and looked the sort to progress in handicaps but has yet to improve in this sphere. Starting to look well treated compared to his Flat mark though and now in this grade for the first time on better ground.

Form: 25634

Bafana Blue^t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Dale Irving⁽³⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 100

20/1

Has flattered on a couple of occasions over hurdles although the majority of his form is modest and he remains a maiden. Did take a step in the right direction after a break last time and goes handicapping for the first time.

Form: 6325P4

Mighty Whitey^t²⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-11| J: Steven Fox⁽⁵⁾| T: N C Kelly| OR: 99| CD

20/1

Generally manages to win a race of some sort each year with his last coming off a much reduced mark when making all at Cartmel. Not the most the consistent though and needed his last run; runs off his last winning mark here.

Form: 156309

Bracka Lily⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr N McParlan⁽³⁾| T: N C Kelly| OR: 98

25/1

Well held in bumpers and her form for the most part is poor although her handicap debut can be ignored last time (saddle slipped). Has to run off a 12lb higher mark here and looks to face a stiff task on her form so far.

Form: 67800P

Alfiboy^h⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 98

6/1

Second run back from wind surgery having been well supported on his return (handicap debut) and showed his first form for the yard to finish a fortunate second. Travelled quite well throughout though and off the same mark could make an impression.

Form: 2/P-FP02

Budarri^h¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Coltherd⁽⁵⁾| T: W Coltherd| OR: 95

7/1

Showed his best form to date (well backed when taking 2nd over C&D last time out having tried to chase down one who had the run of the race. Will find conditions very different here this time though and needs to be able to repeat that run at least.

Form: 364572

Witness Time^h¹⁰¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Reed⁽⁵⁾| T: T Davidson| OR: 94

9/1

Had shown some gradual progress over hurdles and looked the type for handicaps and still could have a future in this sphere. Did too much early on last time under a change of tactics and may appreciate the better ground here; not one to write off.

Form: 58-7PU0

Rockliffe⁶⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Finian O'Toole⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 87

8/1

Mostly poor form over hurdles before springing to life when last seen at Musselburgh winning a weak handicap. Raised 5lb for that win this looks a little stronger and he could well struggle in his bid to follow up that win.

Form: 44-9061

Strait Run^t¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Billy Garritty⁽⁷⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 87| CD

16/1

A surprise winner over C&D on a return from 8 weeks off (off 8lb lower) he's run well once since then before reverting to type last time with poor display. Best form has come with cut in the ground and this surface may well be too quick for him.

Form: 2P-0137

Hes Our Robin^h²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: R T Dunne| T: M Mullineaux| OR: 86

28/1

Best summed up by his hurdles record which reads 0/23 and he's made very little impact this season. Offered very little threat on his last two starts and is easily passed over here.

Form: 700846

Frightened Rabbit¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Colm McCormack⁽³⁾| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 86

16/1

Likes to force the pace but needs to settle far better to take advantage of any easy leads he may get. Hood employed last time is now left off and despite falling in the weights he remains an unsafe proposition.

Form: 200U05

Tekiblue de L'Orme¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: W T Kennedy| T: P A Kirby| OR: 84

40/1

Poor form over hurdles and has already been beaten in a selling hurdle and fared no better on his handicap debut last time. Dropped 6lb for that run but the mark still looks a stiff one and others preferred.

Form: 0-00468

Forecasts

Derrynane (4/1), Fort Jefferson (5/1), Alfiboy (6/1), Budarri (7/1), Hardrock Davis (15/2), Rockliffe (8/1), Witness Time (9/1), Frightened Rabbit (16/1), Strait Run (16/1), Mighty Whitey (20/1), Bafana Blue (20/1), Bracka Lily (25/1), Hes Our Robin (28/1), Tekiblue de L'Orme (40/1)

Not a bad handicap for the grade to open the card with one or two who may be slightly better than this pay grade. Despite falling last time Hardrock Davis looks the sort who will be able to win in this grade he’ll go close if he stays upright this time. Derrynane is another who deserves a favourable mention despite being a beaten favourite on his last two starts especially with Don McCain having a good record at the track. A chance is taken though with FORT JEFFERSON who looks off a good mark now and despite disappointing a couple of times in handicaps may well prefer the better ground. Budarri needs to prove his effectiveness on this ground with Witness Time one to watch in the market.