14:05 Sedgefield

Wednesday 26 December 2018

All11:5512:2512:5513:3014:0514:4015:15

Sedgefield Racecourse Supports Local Businesses Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:06 | Winning time: 4m 57.90s

Duke Of Kilcorral³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: W T Kennedy| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 121

6/1

Put his previous hurdles experience to good use when returning from a break to win a Chepstow novice (2m3f); strong in the betting. Placed in handicaps before off a 4lb lower mark and stable has a 40% strike-rate in hurdles here; respected.

Form: 02U22-1

Niceandeasy²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Callum Bewley| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 119| BF| D

9/2

Took his first three races under Rules (bumper plus two novice hurdles; 2-2 at this trip); has been held back for the most part by his jumping in handicaps. Shaped with promise on his return last time (still less than fluent) but time's on his side.

Form: 11U25-4

Sheriff Garrett^p,t¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr William Easterby⁽⁵⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 117| D

4/1

Took a while to get the hang of things over hurdles but gradually progressed, getting off the mark last time. Handicapper has been rather harsh though and upped him 9lb for a 12L victory; reliable sort who should run well.

Form: 234221

Lucky Robin^p1¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁷⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 116

25/1

Given a soft lead twice when winning Market Rasen handicaps over slightly shorter trips in August; the second coming off a 10lb higher mark. Disappointing after that including on two recent AW runs; now returns to hurdles with cheekpieces tried.

Form: 0-21120

Ninepointsixthree^p¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Blair Campbell⁽⁵⁾| T: S England| OR: 115| C

9/2

Course form has come over shorter (2m) and he's shown up well the last twice here winning on the second occasion (got into a good rhythm in front). Highly tried in a tougher contest last time and now back in grade but up in trip off a stiff mark.

Form: 2-8P218

Iolani^p,h,t²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Mr Aiden Blakemore⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 115| CD

16/1

Fit from the Flat, he hit form with a quick-fire October trio of handicap wins (two here; one over C&D). The rise in the weights since then appears to have seen him in the handicapper's grip and this ground not sure to suit.

Form: 411140

Just Bobby²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Billy Garritty⁽⁷⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 113| CD

4/1

Rather fortunate winner when landing a win in a C&D novice in April (well backed). Stepped up on his reappearance run under today's rider at Haydock last time where the trip (2m6f) appeared to test him; now has a career-high mark to deal with.

Form: 4631-03

Imperial Focus^p¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Grant Cockburn⁽³⁾| T: S Waugh| OR: 108

50/1

Fair maiden on the Flat (0-17) who stays 1m4f. Had three quick fire runs in novice hurdles in the summer over 2m and offered something to work on. Now goes handicapping for the first-time; mark looks fair but has to prove himself on this ground.

Form: 423

Garde Forestier^t¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Aaron Anderson⁽⁷⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 105

33/1

Has one standout effort to his name (handicap hurdle over 2m off a 1lb higher mark) but has been disappointing since (regularly failed to complete). First hurdles run for this yard (had three chase runs) and plenty to prove at present.

Form: 3P-P8CP

Nicely Indeed^p1²²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Sean Quinlan| T: P A Kirby| OR: 102

9/1

Fair maiden in handicaps over hurdles (won two bumpers) but has come up short on numerous hurdling occasions; failed to go through with his effort again last time. Ought to be able to win a race off this mark but application is still in question.

Form: 8P-8732

Non-Runners

Braddan Head⁷⁶

Weight: 11-3| Age: 5

T: Mrs Dianne Sayer J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Sheriff Garrett (4/1), Just Bobby (4/1), Niceandeasy (9/2), Ninepointsixthree (9/2), Duke Of Kilcorral (6/1), Nicely Indeed (9/1), Braddan Head (14/1), Iolani (16/1), Lucky Robin (25/1), Garde Forestier (33/1), Imperial Focus (50/1)

Neil Mulholland has a good course record with his runners over the past five years (44% strike-rate; 40% with hurdlers) and it’s interesting that he sends DUKE OF KILCORRAL on the long journey North to provide his only runner on the card. His recent Chepstow win reads well and he may be able to edge out another improver in Niceandeasy who travels well in his races. Sheriff Garrett is a reliable type although the 9lb impost for his 12L Hexham romp may just anchor him this time around. Nicely Indeed really should be able to win over hurdles but his finishing effort still remains in question.