14:20 Sedgefield

Wednesday 11 October 2023

All14:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:1517:45

Best Odds Guaranteed Daily With Vickers.Bet Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 4m 4.29s

Blue Bear⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Ross Chapman| T: J Parkinson & S Smith

150/1

Has had a different trainer for all 3 starts under Rules and looks one with jumping problems judged on his couple of efforts hurdling. Easily opposed.

Form: 6P-P

It's A Love Thing⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Jonathan England| T: S England

12/1

Fair handicapper on Flat (stays 1¼m) who was given a considerate introduction to hurdling at Stratford in July and was found to have struck into himself when pulled up next time at Worcester. Likely be brought along steadily so best watched.

Form: 8P

Ruleout⁸⁰⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Tom Midgley⁽³⁾| T: C GrantWS

50/1

Fair in bumpers and having been strong in the betting, made an encouraging hurdling debut when third at Sligo back in July 2021. Pulled up after a clumsy display at Cork 3 weeks later and not seen since. Watching brief advised on first start for a new yard (had wind op).

Form: 44473P/

Swift Reply¹⁸⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: J Kington| T: S Waugh

40/1

Mr Medici gelding. Dam unraced. Unseated rider sole start in points (Apr 10).

Form: U-

Trick Of The Tail^p⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 99

9/2

Modest maiden hurdler who found his good run coming to a halt when sixth in 12-runner maiden at Cartmel (17.2f, soft) in August. Bounce back required but that is entirely possible.

Form: 724336

Western Soldier^h1⁶⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Burke| T: M F Harris

5/4

Useful on Flat in Germany, stays 9f. Racked up an impressive 5-timer towards the back end of last year and campaigned solely in Group 3 company this term, finishing down the field at Dusseldorf a couple of months ago. Interesting to see what the market says on yard/hurdles bow.

Form:

At The Double^p⁵²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: D R Fox| T: A Nicol

40/1

Fair handicapper at best on Flat, stays 2m, again tailed off on stable debut at Pontefract (17.1f, good) in August (previously trained by Sir Mark Prescott Bt). Cheekpieces retained for hurdles debut.

Form:

Langton Wold⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: Henry Brooke| T: B Ellison

6/1

Fair handicapper on Flat, stays 1¼m, finished down the field at Redcar last time. Market check advised.

Form:

Paddy Elvis¹³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: Dylan Johnston⁽⁷⁾| T: S R B Crawford

5/1

Modest bumper performer who needs to up his game if he's to feature now hurdling.

Form: 92-66

Touch Of A Dragon^h1¹⁷⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Joshua Thompson⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Micky Hammond

25/1

Offered something to work on when third on first 2 starts earlier this year and can have a line put through his latest effort at Hexham (saddle slipped before halfway). Hood applied for hurdling debut and is one to consider.

Form: 33P-

Whozatgirl²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: S Mulqueen| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell

12/1

Modest form in 3 bumpers but offered something to work on switched to hurdling after 4 months off when fourth at Kelso (16.2f, good to firm) last month, the race won by a much shorter-priced stablemate. Entitled to do better and yard couldn't be in better form. Player.

Form: 23-54

Non-Runners

Johnny M⁸²

Weight: 11-4| Age: 5

T: J C McConnell J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Western Soldier (5/4), Trick Of The Tail (9/2), Johnny M (9/2), Paddy Elvis (5/1), Langton Wold (6/1), It's A Love Thing (12/1), Whozatgirl (12/1), Touch Of A Dragon (25/1), Swift Reply (40/1), At The Double (40/1), Ruleout (50/1), Blue Bear (150/1)

The market will no doubt reveal plenty with many of these making their hurdling debut, but preference is for JOHNNY M, who has experience on his side and shaped as if back in form prior to departing late on at Kilbeggan in July. Whozatgirl showed something to work on switched to hurdling after 4 months off at Kelso recently, so she's put forward as the main danger for her in-form yard, with Touch of A Dragon and Trick of The Tail rounding off the shortlist.