14:05 Sedgefield

Thursday 26 December 2019

All11:5012:2512:5513:3014:0514:4015:15

Gary Wood Memorial Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:06 | Winning time: 5m 8.3s

Carrigmoorna Matt⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Miss E Chaston| T: Paula Smith| OR: 115| D

16/1

Still attempting to find the same level of form over fences that he accomplished over hurdles (three-time winner). Returned to fences (first time for this yard) and well supported last time; had his limitations exposed off this mark, more needed.

Form: 711-656

Robbing The Prey²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: A Nicol| T: P A Kirby| OR: 115| C| D

16/1

Has won twice over fences for previous yards; has been below form since his last win, may have needed his first run for this yard last time out but was pulled up again. Some untidy jumping added to his woes last time, comes with risks attached.

Form: 9U42P-P

Mortens Leam¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Liam Harrison⁽⁷⁾| T: M Hawker| OR: 115| BF

8/1

Three-time chase winner; strong in the betting last time at Fontwell from a mark in freefall, proved that he still had ability finishing second (didn't get the best of passages in the race). Up 3lb, still above last winning mark, should get involved.

Form: 652-552

Henry's Joy^b²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 114| C

9/1

One fair run to his name this season when second at Carlisle although he needed plenty of coaxing in that race (may not have given his all). Clearly not 100% last time out at Haydock over 3m2f; chance on his old form but not guaranteed to produce.

Form: 133-P26

Never Up²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Lucy Alexander| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 109

11/1

From a yard that has still to regain their form he finished two places in front of Henry's Joy at Haydock last time (3m2f). Last win came at 2m4f though and he may be better suited by this trip; mark gives him a chance despite his yard's form.

Form: 16-4444

Indian Brave^t¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: R T Dunne| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 109

4/1

Only had three starts (and changed stables) since his Uttoxeter hurdles win (2m4f, soft) back in April 2017. All of those runs have come over fences; took his form in this sphere up a level last time (first-time tongue-tie) at Chepstow; player here.

Form: 261/P-32

Mah Mate Bob⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Jonathon Bewley⁽³⁾| T: G Bewley| OR: 108| BF| CD

7/2

Successful over hurdles and fences here; followed up his initial chase win with another first place at Hexham (2m, heavy). Found out in better company (0-120) last time and away from testing conditions; return here will suit, in the mix.

Form: 14-3113

Divine Port²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Miss P Robson| OR: 107| C| D

16/1

Winner in all three jumping spheres one of his hurdles wins coming here he was a long way below his best last time over fences. That run may have been needed but he has run well fresh before, return here may suit; will have to improve to win this.

Form: 03/136-U

Mountain Hawk^p¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Blair Campbell⁽³⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 107

11/2

Newcastle novice hurdle winner on good ground who hasn't as yet found the equivalent form over fences. Didn't have too many excuses last time in first-time cheekpieces when well held at Musselburgh; jumping needs to improve.

Form: 2134-45

Event Of Sivola^p1,t1²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: C O'Farrell| T: M Walford| OR: 105

33/1

His three chase starts in GB have amounted to very little (failed to complete on the latest two occasions); now fitted a tongue-tie/cheekpieces combination. Has won a good ground chase in France but hard to see him getting involved here.

Form: 2/617P-P

Graystown^v1¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁵⁾| T: W Coltherd| OR: 95

8/1

Far from a solid proposition over fences with mistakes usually hampering his chance; fell first on his last chasing start. Return to the larger obstacles after running poorly over hurdles last time; visor goes on for the first-time., lots to prove.

Form: 32-63FP

Non-Runners

Ringaringarosie⁴²

Weight: 11-3| Age: 6

T: M Todhunter J: Non Runner

High Noon¹⁹

Weight: 10-4| Age: 7

T: Micky Hammond J: Emma Smith-Chaston

Forecasts

Mah Mate Bob (7/2), Indian Brave (4/1), Ringaringarosie (4/1), Mountain Hawk (11/2), Graystown (8/1), Mortens Leam (8/1), Henry's Joy (9/1), Never Up (11/1), Carrigmoorna Matt (16/1), High Noon (16/1), Divine Port (16/1), Robbing The Prey (16/1), Event Of Sivola (33/1)

Quite a few potential winners to consider here with INDIAN BRAVE getting the after running a good second at Chepstow last time to one who was probably well-in at the weights. Besides that run another plus point for him would be the 9-15 record that his trainer, Neil Mulholland has with his handicap chasers here. Mortems Leam and Never Up are two others that should get involved with both having run sound enough races last time out. Mah Mate Bob should find a return to this track and a slight ease in grade in his favour whilst Henry’s Joy can’t be ignored although he not one to rely on too heavily.