Miles For Men Handicap Chase

Off time: 17:41 | Winning time: 4m 50.60s

Rear Admiral^t¹⁵⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Bannister| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 122| D

11/2

Unpredictable sort who can be useful on his day and proved that point in a 0-130 (weak for the grade) last time out. That win takes him to a career high mark although he drops a little in grade here; has been known to flatter only to deceive.

Form: 5/3414-1

Alderbrook Lad¹⁵⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: Finian O'Toole⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 120| C| D

16/1

Approaching the veteran stage now and has been capable off much higher marks than this in the past. Has now slipped below his last winning mark but will have needed a break to work the oracle having been pulled-up his last two starts.

Form: 12PUPP

Nefyn Bay^p,t³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 118| D

9/2

Winner of his last three starts finding a consistency and winning attitude that had eluded him before (career-best last time). Will have to reach new heights to win off this mark (5lb higher than last time) but looks to be in a good place currently.

Form: 852111

Just Minded^p1⁷⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 117| BF

9/2

Looked as though he would make the grade as a chaser his last run did cast some doubts about his potential over fences. Strong in the market his jumping left something to be desired and his attitude could also be questioned; care needed for now.

Form: 12-FP34

Justforjames^p¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Miss Becky Smith⁽⁵⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 115| CD

13/8

A change of rider and first-time cheekpieces appeared to spark this previous course winner (over hurdles) to life when winning over C&D in March off a 4lb lower mark. Shaped just as well last time but given too much to do at Carlisle off this mark.

Form: 553413

The Doorman^p,t⁹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 110| C| DWS

7/1

Cashed in on a falling mark when winning over fences at this track (over further) in September but has run poorly on every start since. Not a fluent jumper of fences and reportedly had wind surgery since he was last seen; others appeal more.

Form: 38156P

Trust Thomas⁸⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Mrs A Hamilton| OR: 107

14/1

Had shaped as if he was returning to form prior to landing a hard-fought victory at Musselburgh over 2m. His three runs since have not lived up to the promise and application that he showed there; has slipped back to that last winning mark.

Form: P3153P

Forecasts

Justforjames (13/8), Just Minded (9/2), Nefyn Bay (9/2), Rear Admiral (11/2), The Doorman (7/1), Trust Thomas (14/1), Alderbrook Lad (16/1)

Don McCain has built up a good record at Sedgefield (21% strike-rate over past five years) and his Nefyn Bay must have a good chance of completing a four-timer although he will have to overcome a new career-high mark to achieve that feat. Rear Admiral is another of the protagonists who runs off a new high mark here after his win last time out but he will need to be in the same mood to deliver again. JUSTFORJAMES comes from a yard in good form and appears to like it around here he’ll need to be given a better ride this time to regain the winning thread but he has the ability to do so.