14:55 Sedgefield

Thursday 24 February 2022

All13:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:10

All Weather Surfaces Carpet Gallop Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 5m 2.40s

Demi Sang¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 12-3| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽⁷⁾| T: Sara Ender| OR: 112| CD

4/1

Perfect start for new yard when ending losing run at Wetherby (2m) on Boxing Day. Notched another success over this C&D recently, but more needed up 5 lb in this stronger race.

Form: 927121

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Twoshotsoftequila^h³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: R Menzies| OR: 107| C

3/1

Winner of a 17f maiden here on Boxing Day. Couldn't live with Kihavah on subsequent Newcastle handicap debut, but that form has been franked since and this stiffer test should be right up his street.

Form: 4-34612

Lanty Slea⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 105

28/1

Bumper winner in 2020 and was very much in contention when unseating 2 out in a C&D maiden back from a break in November. However, latest handicap debut effort at Musselburgh was very poor indeed.

Form: 1/5-2FUP

Martha Willow³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Craig Nichol| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 104| C

4/1

Well-bred filly who scored twice in bumpers and has shown plenty in novice events switched to hurdles (both at around 2m) the last twice. Improvement likely now upped in trip for this handicap debut.

Form: 31-1033

Cash Again^p⁶⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 97| CD

12/1

Opened hurdles account over C&D in December 2020 and also landed a handicap chase last term. Step back in the right direction when third returned to this course last time, but this is more demanding.

Form: 611-783

Three Castles^p¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 97| D

8/1

Four-time winner on the Flat and finally off the mark over hurdles at Musselburgh in December. Not disgraced back at that venue 18 days ago, but needs a career-best if he's to emerge on top here.

Form: 509126

Joie De Vivre^v²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Callum Bewley| T: M Todhunter| OR: 96| CD

14/1

Strong at the finish when resuming winning ways over C&D in October. Back on track when third with a visor enlisted (retained here) at Newcastle last time and one to consider back up in trip.

Form: 915953

Hajey⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Tom Midgley⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Tracy Waggott| OR: 95| CD

9/2

Improved from out of the blue when opening his account over C&D last time. However, now finds himself 7 lb higher in the weights in a more competitive race, so another personal best will be needed.

Form: 3-75971

Up With The Play^p¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Thomas Dowson| T: V Thompson| OR: 89

20/1

Fair maiden on the Flat in Ireland. Placed on hurdle debut there last March, but little impact since and he was almost 14 lengths adrift of Demi Sang over this C&D recently.

Form: 0-7F855

Forecasts

Twoshotsoftequila (3/1), Demi Sang (4/1), Martha Willow (4/1), Hajey (9/2), Three Castles (8/1), Cash Again (12/1), Joie De Vivre (14/1), Up With The Play (20/1), Lanty Slea (28/1)

The form of MARTHA WILLOW's latest effort in a Newcastle novice looks pretty strong and she makes plenty of appeal now pitched into a handicap. The 5-y-o promises to be suited by this stiffer test, too, a remark which also applies to Twoshotsoftequila, who is second choice. Joie de Vivre should also have a part to play if able to build on her latest effort.