14:03 Sedgefield

Thursday 20 February 2020

All14:0314:3315:0315:3316:0316:3317:03

Watch Sky Sports Racing In HD Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:03 | Winning time: 7m 25.95s

Sign Of War^t¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 100| C

9/4

Arrives in good form after scoring at Chepstow (2m7f, heavy) in a handicap chase, and then here (3m3f, soft) over hurdles last time. Won that latest race with something in hand and may be able to defy 8lb rise back over fences.

Form: P46511

Hepburn^b,t⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: James Bowen| T: A Stronge| OR: 96

8/1

0-19 career record. Could be given a chance from today's mark based on three runs last spring, when a few pounds higher. Latest run was a step back in the right direction, and despite his maiden status it's hard to rule him out.

Form: 7333-44

Dontdelay^p⁴¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽⁷⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 91

12/1

1-3 over fences, having scored in this sphere at the second time of asking at Hexham (4m, heavy) in November, when 4lb lower. Has dropped below that level in two runs since, but no doubting he is an each-way player.

Form: 16-7132

Gatacre Street¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 88

6/1

1-4 over fences, and won at Newcastle (2m7f, heavy) in November, before bettering that in defeat a couple of times at Uttoxeter. Below par at Carlisle last time, but if back to those previous efforts he'd be a big player from this mark.

Form: 0P-1336

Benarty Hill²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: Alison Clarke⁽⁷⁾| T: Kenny Johnson| OR: 86

11/1

Dual chase winner on testing ground at up to 3m1f. 5lb higher here than the more recent of those at Catterick in December. Well beaten over C&D last time, when reported to have run flat, so now needs to prove he can bounce back.

Form: 443317

Mount Oliver^p³⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-9| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 83| D

11/4

Won a modest handicap chase at Fontwell (3m2f, heavy) a couple of years ago. Only seen three times since. Latest effort was a step back in the right direction at Exeter, and he has a squeak from 3lb higher.

Form: 3U13/72

Spirit Of Hale^t,v¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 78

8/1

1-14 over fences. Scored at Bangor (3m, heavy) almost two years ago, when 11lb higher. Has failed to take several recent opportunities, and others look better placed to win this.

Form: 6P-4548

Sory^p¹⁶

Age: 13| Weight: 10-0| J: B S Hughes| T: Miss T Jackson| OR: 71

20/1

0-27 career record, though placed in five of his eight chases. Two of those have come since the turn of the calendar year, including one over C&D (soft). 3lb 'wrong', but can't rule him out of the money again.

Form: 2-87334

Forecasts

Sign Of War (9/4), Mount Oliver (11/4), Gatacre Street (6/1), Spirit Of Hale (8/1), Hepburn (8/1), Benarty Hill (11/1), Dontdelay (12/1), Sory (20/1)

Despite its moderate look, this could turn out to be a competitive opener. Gatacre Street, Mount Oliver and Hepburn can all have cases made, but in truth it wouldn't be a huge shock to see most of this field have a good day. However, the suggestion is to stick with in-form SIGN OF WAR, who reverts to fences up 8lb, but has winning course form and may be able to find the necessary to complete a hat-trick.