13:40 Sedgefield

Friday 7 December 2018

All12:1012:4013:1013:4014:1514:5015:20

Happy Christmas From Paxtons Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:40 | Winning time: 4m 21.65s

Ubaltique^b,t²⁴⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 120| D

25/1

Better known as a chaser than hurdler these days, twice a winner last winter but form was on the wane when last seen in the spring. Possible the break has done him good and will handle the ground and likes the track, so has chances.

Form: 311340-

Relkadam²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr William Easterby⁽⁵⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 117

25/1

Had little chance on debut for the yard at Carlisle, coming up against two well regarded types, but still ran well and the 5lb drop from the handicapper for it looks a bonus. More interesting than a few, with ground likely to suit.

Form: FP544-3

Schiaparannie²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 116

4/1

Was found a good opportunity to get off the mark around this time last year and duly obliged, and ran even better next start back there. Would have needed recent outing, looks a likely improver, and ground should be fine.

Form: 36123-6

Apterix^p1²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Danny Cook| T: B Ellison| OR: 116| CD

7/2

Hard to fault recent performances but it's clear he's not the horse he once was and now finds getting his head in front hard. Cheekpieces given a try now but may be happier under quicker conditions and this trip a bare minimum now.

Form: 541233

Culmination⁵⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 113

6/1

Form in early 2017 on heavy ground would make him look nicely treated here, but the worry is that he's not been seen since May of that year when a disappointing third at Cartmel. Lot to take on trust, but of some interest.

Form: 4421/3-

Drums Of War^p²²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Callum Bewley| T: C Grant| OR: 106| CD

25/1

Form very inconsistent last year but gets plus points for being a C&D winner in heavy ground in March. Lightly raced and may well improve again this term, so if fit after an absence has chances of getting involved in the finish.

Form: 762414-

Ninepointsixthree^p¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 106| D

9/4

Has no secrets from the handicapper anymore, but ran as well as he has for a while when second to Millie The Minx here last time. Handles this ground but may find the company a bit hot for his liking.

Form: 122-8P2

Call The Cops⁴⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 105

28/1

Falling like a stone in the weights after a series of very moderate runs last year, and best days clearly well behind him. Conditions fine but very risky now, even allowing for the fact he's had a break.

Form: 89/4578-

Starplex¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Kenny Johnson| OR: 104

50/1

Sprang a 33-1 surprise on the Flat in April but that form rather stands out, and he's not gone forward from it. Well beaten (at 50-1) in a simialr contest at Hexham last time and looks a very tricky proposition at present.

Form: 5419/5-P

Ex S'elance^h1,t1¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-6| J: Alain Cawley| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 100| D

12/1

You can argue the case that he's taken a small step forward on each of his last four runs, and was spotted running on from off the pace at Hereford last time, so is of some interest in a first time hood and tongue tie here.

Form: 417667

Rockliffe¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Miss Becky Smith⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 92| CD

16/1

Moderate on the Flat but a bit better over hurdles and ran on under tender handling to take fourth at Market Rasen on seasonal debut last month. May be happier in lesser grade than this, so is passed over today.

Form: 611-P34

Non-Runners

Golden Jeffrey²⁰

Weight: 11-12| Age: 5

T: I Jardine J: Ross Chapman

Forecasts

Ninepointsixthree (9/4), Apterix (7/2), Schiaparannie (4/1), Golden Jeffrey (11/2), Culmination (6/1), Ex S'elance (12/1), Rockliffe (16/1), Ubaltique (25/1), Drums Of War (25/1), Relkadam (25/1), Call The Cops (28/1), Starplex (50/1)

Plenty can be given a chance in an open contest. RELKADAM ran well enough at Wetherby last time to think that he's got more to come, and the drop in the weights from the handicapper can only be a good thing. He gets the verdict over Drums Of War, another that should be winning races this season and the fact he handles these conditions well can only be in his favour. Ex S'elance keeps progressing, albeit slowly, and may do so again, and money for Culmination would need noting too.