16:00 Sedgefield

Sunday 30 January 2022

All12:3013:0013:3014:0014:3015:0015:3016:00

Cazoo Search Drive Smile Handicap Hurdle (Div 2)

Off time: 16:01 | Winning time: 4m 11.8s

Demi Sang³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Jack Hogan⁽⁷⁾| T: Sara Ender| OR: 107| D

9/4

First run since leaving Ben Haslam when 10/1, won 10-runner handicap hurdle at Wetherby (16f, heavy) 35 days ago, ending a long drought. Remains well treated on old form.

Form: 439271

Set In Stone⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Nathan Moscrop⁽³⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 105| D

11/4

Boosted an impressive strike rate with a smooth-travelling display to score at Musselburgh in December. That form looks solid (time is good), so another bold showing seems likely.

Form: 084-131

Up With The Play²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr Paddy Barlow⁽⁷⁾| T: V Thompson| OR: 95

33/1

Fair maiden on the Flat. in Ireland. Placed on hurdle debut there in March but little impact under both codes since.

Form: 30-7F8

Phoenix Strike⁵²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 90

16/1

Modest maiden stayer on the level. Showed a bit when fourth on Wetherby hurdles debut in October, but he's yet to build on that.

Form: 470

Silkstone^p²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Craig Nichol| T: D Brooke| OR: 87

9/1

Not scored under either code for some time but he's on a decent mark and was not disgraced when third to The Steward in a handicap hurdle at Musselburgh on debut for new yard last time. Respected.

Form: 3303-03

Leeswood Lily^p¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: B S Hughes| T: B Ellison| OR: 83

11/4

Modest maiden hurdler for Jennie Candlish who is well treated starting out for a new yard and should be fit from a recent spin on the Flat. Not discounted.

Form: 7963-47

Baraboy^p¹⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 10-0| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁵⁾| T: F P Murtagh| OR: 76| CD

7/1

Scored at Hexham in November and was right back on his game when second at Kelso a fortnight ago. Might struggle from out of the weights in this more competitive scenario, though.

Form: 071352

Non-Runners

Fame Valley²¹

Weight: 11-12| Age: 7

T: I A Duncan J: C O'Farrell

The Steward²⁷

Weight: 11-7| Age: 11

T: James Moffatt J: Charlotte Jones

Forecasts

Demi Sang (9/4), Leeswood Lily (11/4), Set In Stone (11/4), Fame Valley (3/1), The Steward (6/1), Baraboy (7/1), Silkstone (9/1), Phoenix Strike (16/1), Up With The Play (33/1)

FAME VALLEY came comfortably clear of the others when second on handicap debut at Ayr last time and, provided they go a solid pace, he's well capable of landing this at the likely expense of Set In Stone, who is still getting better. Leeswood Lily, having her first jumps run for her current stable, is another one to consider.