14:30 Sedgefield

Tuesday 15 March 2022

All13:1513:5014:3015:1015:5016:3017:10

Vickers.Bet Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:33 | Winning time: 4m 51.66s

Desaray Girl²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽⁵⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 105| CD

7/2

Went on a long losing run after scoring over C&D in January 2020 but right back to form of late, winning mares' handicap hurdles under Emma Smith-Chaston at Ayr and Market Rasen. Big player.

Form: 5P6U11

Vintage Fizz⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Craig Nichol| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 105

4/1

Has shown a fair level of ability in a trio of novice hurdles, particularly when third at Newcastle (16.2f) in January. More needed now upped in trip for this handicap bow but improvement is possible.

Form: 65-463R

Follow Your Fire^p¹⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: J Candlish| OR: 95| CD

8/1

Successful in this race in 2020 and while he was only fifth in last year's renewal, he regained the winning thread at Hexham in June and was in good heart when last seen in the autumn. Possibilities.

Form: 238234

Glan Y Gors⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: M Weatherer| OR: 95

6/1

Has slipped to an attractive mark and found only the re-opposing Coral Blue too good at Catterick at the beginning of the month. Not so good when fifth at Carlisle last week, but claims nonetheless.

Form: 677625

Balkotic^p,t³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Jack Hogan⁽⁷⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 91

125/1

Flat winner who showed fair form at best over hurdles in France. However, he has shown precious little in 3 starts for new yard on this side of the Channel.

Form: 4-P300P

Coral Blue¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Alain Cawley| T: D Bourke| OR: 90

7/2

Capitalised on a falling mark when landing a gamble at Catterick (19.3f) recently, albeit may have finished second had Large Action not departed at the last. Still, 5 lb rise fair and merits respect.

Form: 0575P1

Dan Gun^p1⁸⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-1| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁵⁾| T: S Waugh| OR: 80| D

18/1

Successful twice off higher marks than this for Dan Skelton last spring. However, he hasn't shown a great deal since joining present yard and hopes here pinned on new headgear sparking a revival.

Form: 9F7580

Lostnfound¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Alan Doyle⁽⁷⁾| T: D Thompson| OR: 79| C

11/1

Took a step back in the right direction when fourth over C&D on Boxing Day but it's been all downhill since. Hard to warm to, for all that the handicapper has shown mercy.

Form: 004989

Ex S'elance^p⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Philip Armson⁽⁷⁾| T: V Thompson| OR: 77

7/1

Catterick winner off this mark last February and stepped up on reappearance effort when third at Newcastle (16.2f) in December. He's none too reliable, though, and has failed to back that up since.

Form: 3364F6

Non-Runners

Hajey¹⁹

Weight: 11-8| Age: 5

T: Miss Tracy Waggott J: Non Runner

Arcanja⁴⁴

Weight: 10-0| Age: 8

T: R Menzies J: Peter Kavanagh

Forecasts

Desaray Girl (7/2), Coral Blue (7/2), Vintage Fizz (4/1), Hajey (11/2), Glan Y Gors (6/1), Ex S'elance (7/1), Follow Your Fire (8/1), Lostnfound (11/1), Dan Gun (18/1), Arcanja (20/1), Balkotic (125/1)

CORAL BLUE was arguably fortunate to land the gamble at Catterick, but it was a step firmly back in the right direction nonetheless and he remains on a potentially handy mark following a 5 lb rise. The hat-trick seeking Desaray Girl is a much-respected main danger, while Glan Y Gors, who chased Coral Blue home at Catterick, and Follow Your Fire, winner of this in 2020, are others to consider.