SEDGEFIELD 1.25 - Handicap Hurdle - Class 5 - 2 miles 4 furlongs - 14 run - Good to Soft

 

At the top of the market is Knacker Trapper who was a Course and Distance runner up last time and whose form looks pretty solid but at 4/1 he would not be a great win or each way value and although very much a danger to the selections he is one I'm content to take on. Miss Applejack is equally dangerous following a win at Southwell last time but that was in first time aids that might not work a second time and a penalty of 8lbs may be a bit too much on this very different sort of track. 

 

With 14 runners this is one of the bigger fields in the UK all day so likely to attract enhanced places to 4th place so my top 2 rated are ACHNAMARA who was also a runner up over this Course and Distance on its penultimate run, is well handicapped off a mark of 93 with a 5lbs claimer up and who looks a bit of each way value. HILL OF SCARRIFF on Handicap Hurdle debut for the all powerful Skelton yard would seem a stronger win bet than Knacker Trapper if you want that option (Northern)

 

LEOPARDSTOWN 1.45 Novice Handicap Hurdle - 2 miles - 20 run - Good to Yielding

 

The top end of the market sees JOHNNY BLUE for the Willie Mullins yard, LYGON LAD for Elliott and LOVE ME for Henry De bromhead. All have shown promise and the fact that none of those Yards flood this race with entries suggests to me that they are all ready to go and win this and I would rate them in that preference order.

 

Of the more exposed types Shraheen has some solid form but a 9lbs penalty looks harsh in the context of the opposition listed above.

 

Of far more interest and therefore my top rated at a nice each way price is IRISH PANTHER who has a nice profile and has moved to Eddie Harty, a legendary Irish name who doesn't have the quantity of ammunition of the big Yards but when he has one is equally as capable as anyone. I think IRISH PANTHER is the best e/w value to 4 or 5 places on the Card here (Sean)

 

DOWN ROYAL 1.58 - Handicap Chase 2 miles 4 and 1/2 furlongs 15 run - Good to Yielding

 

Both Tankardstown Diva and Perfect Pupil are Course winners and Distance winners here over Hurdles and make Chase debuts today with a bit of 3 mile P2P form. I can't split them and my genuine fear is that either could take a hand on Chase debut but I have added both to my TRACKER and will hope they both run well but not quite well enough, both have the ability to pay their way for us over Fences for a few years!

 

Of those with more exposed Chase form and verifiable Hurdles form we have Cullenwaine, he's the one to beat but not really good win value in this deep race and I also rate le Malin a danger but he isn't in my top 3 rated whilst I have added School Lane to my Tracker, likely to need this off a break of 297 days; but has some excellent Course and Distance formlines once fully revved up; and on I will wait and watch for runs here or at Downpatrick once race fit.

 

My top 3 rated though are O'FAILOANS FANCY who is a Course winner at this trip over Hurdles, won its Handicap Chase debut last season and who is race fit. ROOM TO ROAM is a Distance winner, gets up to 3 miles and won't be stopping up the final straight and can run prominently and that could expose any chinks in those who have less chasing experience. If you want a 3rd poke to enhanced places than WITHOUT EXCEPTION whose best hurdles form by a considerable margin was at this track could give you a run for your money also on Chase debut (Michael)

 

LIMERICK 2.08 - Mares Handicap Hurdle - 2 miles 4 furlongs 12 run - Yielding to Soft

 

Ad Caelum is upped 7lbs for a recent win but the form isn't really compelling enough for me to have a win bet. Lady Of The Locke has had 2 good runs against some promising types but the margins of defeat leave a bit of a question mark. 

 

The top rated and with a bit of each way value is INCHQUIN STAR a runner up last time, runs prominently and a solid each way pok. The Elliott trained GERS LADY looked promising in Novices but had an absolutely horrific looking fall at Perth in September when coming to win the race. I'd love to see her run round safely and gain some confidence here; but for that fall I think she'd win with ease, so a small side bet might be an option. (Michael)

 

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