16:30 Sedgefield

Friday 14 April 2023

All14:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:0517:35

Balanced Support Reins Bob Bowden Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:31 | Winning time: 7m 24.2s

Thatbeatsbanagher^p²²

Age: 9| Weight: 12-2| J: Jack Hogan⁽⁵⁾| T: B Haslam| OR: 107| CD

7/4

Building up a very good record at this track, posting a career-best display when landing his third C&D handicap 3 weeks ago. Rider takes off handy 5 lb once more and he's expected to be in the mix.

Form: 019421

Ballin Bay²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Craig Nichol| T: Miss P Robson| OR: 94

8/1

Some encouragement to glean from his bumper debut effort in December and best effort over hurdles came on qualifying run when fourth in 9-runner maiden at Carlisle last month. Switch to handicaps rates a plus and marked increase in trip could unlock further progress.

Form: 6664

Atomic Angel¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: D B Hurst⁽⁷⁾| T: S Corbett| OR: 87| CD

9/2

C&D winner who regained winning thread at Catterick (25.3f) in January and dispelled lesser effort granted run of the race when second in 5-runner Hexham handicap (23.3f) 15 days ago, edged out only close home. This looks a little deeper, however.

Form: P14802

Great Raffles^p²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: C O'Farrell| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 86| BF| CD

11/4

Ended last season with back-to-back wins (including this race) and creditable in-the-frame efforts all 3 starts so far this campaign. Possible he'll sharpen up for his latest run at Wetherby 24 days ago and worth considering.

Form: 311-234

Mr Palmtree^p,t¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-7| J: Benjamin Poste| T: H Dickin| OR: 84

7/1

Dual chase winner in 2020/21 campaign. Missed last season and readily surpassed form of first 2 starts this campaign when landing 7-runner Warwick handicap 926f) 15 days ago. 5 lb higher mark to contend with here on the back of a relatively quick turnaround.

Form: 443/5P1

Lockdown Leader¹⁹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 77WS

14/1

Appeared to take a step in the right direction when third of 10 at Perth (3m) in June but all 3 starts thereafter where below that level. Comes here on back of 6 months off/wind op and others hold stronger claims.

Form: 753P88

Alien Encounter^p¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Alan Doyle⁽⁵⁾| T: L Kerr| OR: 73

80/1

Offered little either start in bumpers and similar story in handful of maiden/novice hurdle outings upon returning from a lengthy absence this year. Needs to step up plenty to play a part on handicap debut.

Form: 90-PP75

Non-Runners

The Blame Game⁵⁰

Weight: 11-2| Age: 9

T: J Ewart J: Edward Austin

Dora De Janeiro¹⁰²

Weight: 10-9| Age: 10

T: S G West J: Bruce Lynn

Forecasts

Thatbeatsbanagher (7/4), Great Raffles (11/4), Atomic Angel (9/2), The Blame Game (5/1), Mr Palmtree (7/1), Ballin Bay (8/1), Dora De Janeiro (10/1), Lockdown Leader (14/1), Alien Encounter (80/1)

Plenty in with a shout over this marathon trip, including last year's winner GREAT RAFFLES. It's possible he will be sharper for his Wetherby run 24 days ago and this sort of mark doesn't look beyond him back up in trip. The Blame Game and Thatbeatsbanagher have both compiled good course records and are others expected to be in the mix.