Sedgefielders Racing App Durham National Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:25 | Winning time: 7m 26.6s

Henri Parry Morgan^p,t⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 136

5/1

Game winner of the 3m4f West Wales National in desperate conditions at Ffos Las in April, and that race has possibly left it's mark; perfectly capable when on song and represents a trainer with a strong Sedgefield strike-rate 27-121 (22%).

Form: P1P-690

Easy Street⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 132

8/1

Has stamina to prove definitively and hasn't always appeared to be the most resolute off the bridle, noted when finishing second at both Cartmel (3m1f) and Stratford (2m6f) of late; ground conditions certain will suit.

Form: 7-1P722

Red Giant^v²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 130

8/1

In fine fettle over the summer months (visored), but now 24lb higher than for the first of his wins at Market Rasen (3m, good) in August; question marks over this extreme trip and more lacklustre at Warwick latest; tough task.

Form: U91125

Fact Of The Matter^t,v²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Page Fuller⁽³⁾| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 130

4/1

Beaten just a neck by Lofgren at Cartmel (3m1f soft) when trying to win that race for the second successive year; posted a similar solid effort when second to Dreamsoftheatre over hurdles at Warwick (3m2f) 26 days ago; handicap mark rising.

Form: P9-4422

Brian Boranha⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Henry Brooke| T: P D Niven| OR: 130

7/1

Continues on an upward curve for the switch to fences (2-7); 5lb higher than when winning at Southwell in May (3m, good), but posted a career best effort in finishing third (beaten 5½L) to Mighty Leader over 3m at Perth latest; new trip.

Form: 421-103

Mercers Court¹⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: N B King| OR: 124

6/1

Difficult to pinpoint what has sparked his recent revival of fortunes, but he arrives on a four-timer following comfortable wins at Worcester (2m7f) and Fontwell x2 (3m2f); another 8lb higher, but commands respect with Wayne Hutchinson back on top.

Form: 345111

Boric^p²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: Callum Bewley| T: S Waugh| OR: 120| C

5/2

A stout stayer, career highlight when a game winner of the Highlands National (3m6f) at Perth in April 2017; beaten a neck in this race by Audacious Plan in 2017 (good), and competes off a 3lb lower mark today.

Form: 62P4-22

Forecasts

Boric (5/2), Fact Of The Matter (4/1), Henri Parry Morgan (5/1), Mercers Court (6/1), Brian Boranha (7/1), Easy Street (8/1), Red Giant (8/1)

A disappointing numerical turnout for the feature race of the year at Sedgefield. However, the 2018 Durham National remains competitive, and features some grand old stayers, perhaps none more so than the 2017 Highlands National (Perth) winner Boric who went agonisingly close behind the well backed Audacious Plan in this race in 2017. Easy Street arrives in excellent order, and with the ground conditions to suit, but equally he's not the type to have on your side during a protracted battle, so is opposed on that score alone. Therefore, the obvious pick is the revitalised MERCERS COURT (8-26 over fences). He could have plenty more too offer over a marathon trip.