Decent midweek card at Sedgefield and this will be the softest ground likely favourite Girly Girl has encountered in the conditional jockeys' novices' hurdle. This looks a good bit of placing by Dan Skelton but marginal preference is for Malcolm Jefferson's Ryedale Racer (12.50) who was just touched off on his hurdles debut having travelled like the best horse for much of the contest.
The selection was a heavy ground winner of a Hexham Bumper back in the spring and the Skelton mare is penalised 7lbs for her Plumpton success which was gained against her own sex.
If there is a market move for Irish raider Cerca Trova in the 2m Handicap Chase I suggest we follow the money but Rosquero (1.20) ran better than his finishing position would suggest when losing many lengths at the start at Kelso on his reappearance. He has nothing in hand of the handicapper and the hope is that jockey Brian Toomey gets that elusive first win back from his life-threatening injuries.
There is definitely a win over fences in Retrieve The Stick but she folded tamely at Carlisle last time and first time out might be the time to catch Wahkhan (2.20) for the in-form pair of Sue Smith and Danny Cook. The selection reverts back to two and a half miles after failing to stay over longer trips last term and looks well-handicapped to score over fences at the belated eighth time of asking.
Smith saddles Not a Bother Boy in the Handicap Chase over an extended three and a quarter miles with conditional jockey Trever Ryan in the saddle and excellent value for his 10lb claim. The 7-y-o bids to concede weight all round but may struggle in the forecast testing conditions and with first-time head-gear Apache Pilot (2.50) is chanced to make it third time lucky this season. The selection has been well-backed on both starts over course and distance this term, folding tamely on his seasonal reappearance over hurdles but much improved last time out before tiring in the closing stages. The handicapper has given him a chance, dropping him 2lb for that effort, and that combined with first-time cheek-pieces can see him record a second career success.
Kerry Lee's Happy Diva (1.00) left her bumper form behind last time out at Towcester making a pleasing debut over hurdles chasing home a smart mare of Lucy Wadham's and this well-bred daughter of King's Theatre should go close in the opener at Lingfield. The 4-y-o, a 95,000 Euros purchase at last year sales, is open to further progression and should improve for the step up to two and a half miles.
Kings River (1.30) is bred to thrive over fences and can make a winning debut chasing in the Novices' Handicap Chase over two and a half miles. Venetia Williams' yard remain in good form and after a pair of efforts over hurdles he must go close under Aidan Coleman.
Milton Milan (3.00) was unable to land a blow in the Badger Ales at Wincanton but should appreciate the drop back in both trip and grade to score for Dan and Harry Skelton in the feature 3m Handicap Chase. The selection was off the mark over fences last year at Newbury for former handler Paul Nicholls and was the model of consistency thereafter. The handicapper has dropped him 5lb for his brace of efforts this term and from a revised mark of 127 he must go close the red-hot Skelton yard.
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