14:10 Sedgefield

Tuesday 19 April 2022

All13:0513:4014:1014:4515:2015:5016:2016:55

Cazoo Search Drive Smile Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 3m 52.7s

Spiritofthenorth¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: K A Ryan| OR: 115

2/1

Showed improved form to get off the mark over hurdles in facile style in a maiden at Wetherby (16f, soft) 19 days ago. That race rather fell apart but he still looks fairly treated back in a handicap.

Form: 2431

Enlighten⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 111| CD

7/2

C&D winner in January who ran at least as well when second of 11 in handicap hurdle at Newcastle (16.2f, good to soft) 42 days ago. That performance is backed up by the clock, and he looks sure to go well despite a 4 lb rise.

Form: 463212

Sonning^h1⁷²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: J Kington| T: D Brooke| OR: 115

66/1

Fairly useful winner at 10f on the level and has matched that form over hurdles, scoring at Catterick in November. Stiff task when well held in listed juvenile at Musselburgh last time and has since left Alan King. Hood on for 1st time.

Form: 21346

The Navigator²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 106| CD

2/1

C&D winner who confirmed return to form when winning 14-runner handicap hurdle at Musselburgh (17.4f, good) 25 days ago, responding well. 6 lb rise fair and ought to remain competitive.

Form: B-48821

The Some Dance Kid^b,t¹⁵⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Theo Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 104| BF| DWS

40/1

Eleven runs since last win in 2019 and down tools when pulled up in handicap chase (7/4) at Fakenham (16.3f) on final outing in November. Back over hurdles following another breathing operation.

Form: 34-254P

Check My Pulse^p¹⁸⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: R Menzies| OR: 101

12/1

Fair 2m hurdle winner who took a step back in the right direction when third in a 4-runner handicap here (17f) in September. Shaped as if amiss up in trip at Market Rasen on final outing but could get back on track following a break.

Form: 34323P

Balkalin^t¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: S Mulqueen| T: M A Barnes| OR: 97

28/1

Maiden who is lightly raced for his age but seemed beaten on merit when third of 6 in a novice hurdle at Kelso (18.1f, good to soft, 8/1) 15 days ago, tying up near finish. Others make more appeal for win purposes.

Form: 0/54-333

Lou Trek^t⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: K Brogan⁽³⁾| T: G Hanmer| OR: 97

6/1

Winning pointer who stopped quickly on his stable debut but fared much better after 4 months off when second of 8 in novice hurdle at Hexham (16.2f, good to soft) 8 days ago, going with enthusiasm. More needed back in a handicap, however.

Form: 7090/P2

Non-Runners

North Parade²⁸

Weight: 10-13| Age: 7

T: J Parkinson & S Smith J: Thomas Willmott

Lord Caprio²²

Weight: 10-11| Age: 7

T: B Haslam J: R P McLernon

Forecasts

The Navigator (2/1), Spiritofthenorth (2/1), Enlighten (7/2), Lou Trek (6/1), North Parade (7/1), Check My Pulse (12/1), Lord Caprio (16/1), Balkalin (28/1), The Some Dance Kid (40/1), Sonning (66/1)

C&D winner ENLIGHTEN makes lots of appeal with his latest second at Newcastle backed up by the clock, so he's taken to resume winning ways. Spiritofthenorth looks on a fair mark back in handicap company judged on his facile Wetherby success, while recent Musselburgh scorer The Navigator completes the shortlist.