We have declared four runners for Sedgefield on Thursday, where the going at he time of writing is considered good.
Trac will go first at 1.30.pm, in a 0-100 novices handicap chase over two miles and five furlongs, with Conor O'Farrell retaining the ride. Trac has paid the price with a 9lb hike in the weights for a comfortable win at Catterick 20 days ago, and although things will be tougher this time, it is possible that he is still ahead of the handicapper.
We are doubly represented at 2.05.pm, in the 0-100 handicap chase over very nearly three miles and two furlongs. Along Long Story who carries top weight has shown nothing in two runs since arriving from Ireland late last year. It was only 11 months ago that he was winning a hunters chase at Thurles, so we know the ability is there. He may still be a little high in the weights, but the handicapper has already begun to relent by dropping him 7lb. He will be ridden by Conor O'Farrell for the first time.
Our other representative in the race is The Very Thing, who is now only 4lb above his last winning mark, which was in a first time visor at Catterick in January of last year. The Very Thing is a well handicapped horse, who will relish every yard of this marathon trip, and if he gets out of bed on the right side, he will be a danger to all. He will be partnered by his regular jockey Becky Smith.
Hideo has been in the last chance saloon for quite a while now, and unfortunately whatever headgear, distance, discipline, or trip you throw at him, his stubbornness always wins the day. Hideo arrived from France 11 runs ago with a mark of 117, which has steadily dipped to just 69, but it has made no difference with his jockeys coming back after the race and saying he refused to put the effort in. It must be pointed out that the majority of his rivals this time also seem to suffer from the same mindset. The race is a 0-100 handicap hurdle over three miles and three furlongs at 3.15.pm, with Conor O'Farrell on board for the first time.
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Good luck to the connections, Randall Orchard & Partners, The Chronicles, Derek Walpole, and Two Nicks And A Mick
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