16:33 Sedgefield

Thursday 20 February 2020

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

Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:38 | Winning time: 4m 21.8s

Flight To Milan²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 99

13/2

19-race maiden. Went close at Leicester (2m, good to soft) in December, when 2lb higher, but nowhere near that level in two further runs, both in headgear that is now discarded. Not written off, but clearly something to prove.

Form: 2F633P

Roxyfet¹⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽⁷⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 94| BF| CD

7/1

Has earned seven of his 13 wins around here (all types of ground) and probably knows the track as well as the clerk of the course. 8lb higher than a hurdles win last month, and hasn't won from this high over fences for two years, but not ruled out.

Form: 59221P

Gameface⁷⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 90

4/1

Placed in a couple of Irish points, but looks very hard to recommend on the evidence of any of his four starts under rules. Would only be of interest if there is significant money for him.

Form: 3/20-59P

Into The Breach^p⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: B S Hughes| T: J Ewart| OR: 88

6/1

Wasn't devoid of promise in a couple of races last season, but has now failed to complete in three of his last four starts, and it's not easy to make a strong case for him.

Form: 56P-P7U

Frankie Ballou^p,t¹⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 10-10| J: Danny Cook| T: Miss J E Foster| OR: 83| CD

7/1

Earned all his three career wins over C&D on testing ground in 2018, the last of them when 15lb higher. Has been reasonably competitive from similar marks to this in recent starts, and looks to have frame claims again.

Form: PF3433

La Regle^b1,t1¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Ryan Mania| T: Miss J E Foster| OR: 82

5/1

14-race maiden who is impossible to recommend based on anything he has shown for well over a year, when with his previous trainer. Headgear goes on for stable debut, but looks best watched unless market vibes are strong.

Form: 70887P

Jimmyjames^t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 80

8/1

Has made the frame just once in 28 career starts. Was less than 9L fourth from 2lb higher at Chepstow (2m3f, heavy) last month. Supported when unseating at Ffos Las (2m, heavy) latest. Same mark here, but still plenty to prove.

Form: 55P-44U

Take The Crown^t²⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 10-7| J: Alison Clarke⁽⁷⁾| T: P Winks| OR: 80| D

80/1

2-15 over fences, but without a win since March 2015, when 20lb higher. Last of 13, beaten 87L on debut for this trainer in December, and has failed to complete twice since. Others preferred.

Form: 5R50PF

Elixer²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: F P Murtagh| OR: 79

8/1

Has been back in better form since switching to chasing. Went close at Catterick (1m7f, soft), when 1lb lower, on his penultimate start. Not far off that level back there last time. Looks a leading player on that evidence.

Form: 776622

Scorpo^v1⁹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-1| J: Aaron Anderson⁽⁷⁾| T: V Thompson| OR: 74| C

33/1

1-26 and scored here over 3m2f (good) last April. Another good effort when dropped to 2m5f at Market Rasen in May, but plenty to prove after being pulled up on both starts this season. Trip looks too short. Visor goes on.

Form: 31P-2PP

Duhallowcountry^b⁸⁶

Age: 14| Weight: 10-0| J: Mr Connor Wood⁽⁷⁾| T: V Thompson| OR: 68| CD

50/1

Triple soft ground C&D winner, the last of them coming last March when a 33-1 chance, and from 4lb lower. Not easy to fancy him on most form since, and was pulled up back over C&D last time.

Form: 36486P

Forecasts

Gameface (4/1), La Regle (5/1), Into The Breach (6/1), Flight To Milan (13/2), Roxyfet (7/1), Frankie Ballou (7/1), Jimmyjames (8/1), Elixer (8/1), Scorpo (33/1), Duhallowcountry (50/1), Take The Crown (80/1)

You can never write off Roxyfet at this venue, but he is likely to find a win tough to come by from today's mark. Jimmyjames was supported last time, so may be on a compensation mission, but his record makes it hard to have much confidence in him. Frankie Ballou looks an each-way contender, but preference is for ELIXER, who strictly speaking needs to pull out a bit more, but arrives in form and has a fair bit going for him.