16:45 Sedgefield

Tuesday 29 September 2020

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:1517:45

bet365 Handicap Hurdle (Div 1)

Off time: 16:50 | Winning time: 4m 2.16s

Imperial Focus^h1³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: William Shanahan⁽⁷⁾| T: S Waugh| OR: 100

40/1

Long-standing maiden under both codes who was below form on the Flat last time, so others are more appealing.

Form: 4560/P4-

Strong Team⁴⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Quinlan| T: C Grant| OR: 98

33/1

Went the wrong way from his reappearance in the spring of 2019 and hasn't been seen since, so not an obvious player even though he's back on his last winning mark.

Form: 312/438-

Just Marvin²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Bannister| T: A M Hales| OR: 96

3/1

Lightly raced for his age and defied an 11-month absence to gain his first career success with a bit to spare at Uttoxeter 20 days ago. Definite claims if he can back that up.

Form: 76326-1

Zamarkhan⁵⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 87WS

10/3

Ended his time with Lucy Normile out of sorts but offered more encouragement at Southwell debut for new stable, shaping as if in need of the run. Can't be ignored from reduced mark.

Form: 3PP68-6

Life Knowledge^v¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Danny Cook| T: L Bailey| OR: 85

25/1

Modest maiden hurdler who hasn't taken to chasing on his last couple of outings but could get back on track now returned to the smaller obstacles on a fair mark.

Form: 32/633-8

Rockliffe^p³³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Aidan Macdonald⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 84| CD

14/1

Modest winning hurdler who struggled for form last season and as only midfield at this course on return. Has dropped to a handy mark, though.

Form: 33/470-6

To Fly Free^t⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 10-6| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 98

15/8

Fair Flat performer in France who built on her hurdling debut when a staying-on second to Soldier On Parade (bolted up next time) at Market Rasen 44 days ago. Obvious claims off a good mark.

Form: 32

Major Snugfit^b¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: Nathan Moscrop⁽³⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 79

5/1

Showed fair form on the Flat this summer and wasn't disgraced returning to this code when fourth at Kelso 13 days ago. He's vulnerable, however.

Form: 763-064

First Of Never¹⁹⁶

Age: 14| Weight: 10-0| J: Danny McMenamin⁽³⁾| T: Miss L C Siddall| OR: 74| CD

100/1

Lost the plot last season and is very difficult to make a case for after 6 months off.

Form: 1/6599P-

Result Amended

Zamarkhan - Original Position 2nd. Amended Position 1st.

Major Snugfit - Original Position 1st. Amended Position 2nd.

Non-Runners

Mamdood¹³

Weight: 11-4| Age: 6

T: Stef Keniry J: Sam Coltherd

Forecasts

To Fly Free (15/8), Just Marvin (3/1), Zamarkhan (10/3), Major Snugfit (5/1), Rockliffe (14/1), Life Knowledge (25/1), Strong Team (33/1), Imperial Focus (40/1), Mamdood (50/1), First Of Never (100/1)

TO FLY FREE shaped well when second in what's proving to be a strong juvenile event at Market Rasen 44 days ago, so a mark of 98 could let her in lightly. With the added benefit of the weight-for-age allowance, she boasts tremendous claims on her first handicap outing. Recent Uttoxeter winner Just Marvin could make a race of it and Major Snugfit at least arrives in form, unlike plenty of the rest.