15:10 Sedgefield

Tuesday 14 March 2023

All13:5014:3015:1015:5016:3017:1017:50

MW Paving & Groundworks Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 5m 2.60s

Dakota Moirette³⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 12-1| J: J Kington| T: A Crook| OR: 106

100/1

Punchestown maiden hurdle success for Gordon Elliott back in December 2016 remains his sole victory from 40 starts under Rules. Safely held returned to this sphere at Carlisle last time and looks set for an another struggle.

Form: 6/34-6U0

City Derby^p²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: Lizzie Quinlan| OR: 103| D

12/1

Won at Southwell last spring and placed final 2 starts for Fergal O'Brien earlier this season. No real impact in a couple of runs since joining this yard but he is at least edging down the weights and each-way claims here with cheekpieces refitted/Brian Hughes aboard.

Form: 7P2394

We'll Go Again^t1¹⁰⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 102| BF

20/1

Made winning start for this yard in a Market Rasen maiden last summer. Rather in-and-out since (well held when sent off favourite at Catterick when last seen in November) but place money is a distinct possibility if he puts his best foot forward following a break here in a first-time tongue strap.

Form: 173937

Faithfulflyer^t²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 101

6/1

Off the mark over 3m at Musselburgh in November and added to that back at 2m in a Kelso handicap on penultimate start. Another solid effort returned to 3m last time, despite some novicey jumping, and should be fine over this intermediate trip.

Form: 591313

Bella Bluesky⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Craig Nichol| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 99

18/1

Bagged a Kelso novice last winter and ended 2021/22 campaign with a creditable effort in a Perth handicap (20.2f). Sound return to action when occupying same spot at Newcastle (17f) in January and moving back up in trip here will be in her favour.

Form: 62163-3

Agilulf³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Dylan Johnston⁽⁷⁾| T: A Nicol| OR: 102

33/1

Fared better than of late when fourth of 8 in a maiden at Catterick (19.3f, good) last month but more required to defy current mark back handicapping.

Form: 3354

Telhimlisten^h²^{(ex 7)}

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 79

1/4

Confirmed previous promise when easily winning 10-runner Southwell handicap earlier this month. Again ridden positively when following up with minimum fuss under a penalty at Warwick (2m) on Sunday and will prove very hard to beat if turned out again quickly here.

Form: 6-26411

Buto^p,t⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Joshua Thompson⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 78

40/1

Modest form at best over hurdles in Ireland for John McConnell and has offered precious little in 3 starts for present yard.

Form: 346608

Red Ochre^p²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Danny McMenamin| T: C Grant| OR: 76

25/1

Shed his maiden tag at Kelso (20.8f) in 2021. Pulled up all 4 starts last year but back to form when placed in a couple of 19.7f Wetherby handicaps since returning to action in January, and could again finish in the money if responding well to the refitting of cheekpieces.

Form: PP-PP23

Hallowed Ground^p,t⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽³⁾| T: Paula Smith| OR: 75

80/1

Hard to make a case for this 8-y-o judged on what he's shown in 5 starts under Rules.

Form: 5009/0-7

Is So Cute Dimaria^p,t²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Alan Doyle⁽⁵⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 75

40/1

Produced his best effort to date when, equipped with a first-time tongue strap, coming home fifth of 15 in a Wetherby handicap (19.7f) last month. Still, another step forward will be needed if he's to play a leading role in this contest.

Form: 7-06775

Across The Channel³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: C O'Farrell| T: Paula Smith| OR: 72

80/1

Some decent bits and pieces of form to his name but record stands at 0-15 under Rules and he's opposable from 7 lb out of the handicap.

Form: 58546P

Forecasts

Telhimlisten (1/4), Faithfulflyer (6/1), City Derby (12/1), Bella Bluesky (18/1), We'll Go Again (20/1), Red Ochre (25/1), Agilulf (33/1), Is So Cute Dimaria (40/1), Buto (40/1), Hallowed Ground (80/1), Across The Channel (80/1), Dakota Moirette (100/1)

If TELHIMLISTEN takes his chance the others will likely be competing for minor honours. Indeed, Jennie Candlish's charge followed up his Southwell breakthrough success with equal ease at Warwick on Sunday and, with just the one penalty to carry, he is clearly a big step ahead of the handicapper. Bella Bluesky shaped well on her belated reappearance and is taken to edge out Faithfulflyer in the race for second-place money.