15:55 Sedgefield
Thursday 23 February 2017
All14:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:05
Donald Mccain Best Turned Out Winner Handicap Chase
- 5YO plus | Class 5 | 2m 77y | Heavy | 6 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 15:55 | Winning time: 4m 44.7s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Multiple course winner who took this race last year. Clearly has his quirks, but was placed very well by his trainer last season and has consequently found life tougher this campaign from an elevated chase mark, but drops below 100 today for the first time since winning in March 2016. Might well be one for later in the season and has much work to do to reverse placings with Duhallowcountry from last time.
Yet again his fencing was his Achilles' heel when pulled up behind Chestnut Ben over C&D earlier this month. A winner over hurdles at this track, his chasing handicap mark of 94 would be an appealing one if able to put it together over fences, and it's a surprise that he's not been able to so far, with this stable renowned for their chasers.
One of a pair of winners for this trainer/jockey combination when scoring over hurdles at Newcastle last week. That success came on the back of another hurdles victory at Wincanton on Boxing Day, and he has appeared to enjoy the switch back to hurdles from fences. Undeniably well treated from this chasing mark, and still largely unexposed in that sphere, but a slight nagging doubt remains about his suitability for fences.
Left Henry Oliver (for £6,000) after recording a second success over fences at Hereford in December 2016 (2m3f Good to Soft). Did win over this trip at Worcester in September 2016, so with rain forecast, a drop back to 2m is unlikely to trouble, but now 6lb higher than at Hereford, and did fail to complete on his other two starts over fences.
Only a six-year-old, but has already raced 48 times under rules (28 of those starts coming on the Flat). Made his chasing debut at Catterick earlier this month when finishing sixth of ten behind Halcyon Days and entitled to improve from that learning experience, but others still readily preferred.
Habitual front runner who could be considered a shade unfortunate to be collared by Chestnut Ben in a not too dissimilar race over C&D three weeks ago. 2lb higher today (and now 5lb higher than for his previous C&D second), so holds no secrets from the handicapper. Always tends to run his race at this track off the front end and no reason to think he won't do so again today.
Forecasts
Chakisto (5/6), Bandol (4/1), Duhallowcountry (11/2), Roxyfet (9/1), Oak Vintage (10/1), Arantes (28/1)
Chakisto holds an obvious chance from his exploitable chasing mark, and appeared to return a fresh horse at Newcastle over hurdles last week, with his stable also in very good form of late. However, he still has to prove his mettle over fences, and is likely to be plenty short enough for this race, especially if proven front runner and Sedgefield lover DUHALLOWCOUNTRY can get him at it from the front end and Vic Thompson's veteran is the speculative choice.
1. Duhallowcountry
2. Chakisto
3. Oak Vintage
Prize Money
1st: £3,249.002nd: £954.003rd: £477.004th: £238.00
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