12:15 Sedgefield

Sunday 26 December 2021

All11:4512:1512:5013:2514:0014:3515:10

vickers.bet Online Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:15 | Winning time: 5m 20.03s

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Selected odds by:

Cash Again^p¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 98| CD

15/2

Handicapper quick to drop him after two poor runs without the cheekpieces that brought about improvement last season. Return to form for the C&D winner could coincide with those being reapplied today.

Form: 4611-78

Don Brocco¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Miss J Walton⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs H O Graham| OR: 96

11/2

Lightly raced five-year-old who showed best form to date 12 days ago, when an excellent third of 17 at Catterick behind a gambled on winner. Claims if able to back that up on softer going.

Form: 77-P6P3

Cailin Dearg^t²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 94| CD

2/1

Showed benefit of seasonal appearance when a clear cut course and distance winner 23 days ago. Unexposed and under seemingly ideal conditions is a big player off 6 lb higher.

Form: 1543-51

Miracle Eagle^v⁶⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 92

12/1

Failed to feature on handicap debut in June off what looked to be a stiff looking mark. Has performed respectably on the Flat since and visor applied for the first time over jumps off 3 lb lower.

Form: 56-85

Lostnfound¹⁹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Aaron Anderson⁽⁵⁾| T: D Thompson| OR: 91| C

18/1

Struggled for form when last seen in June and boasts a less than inspiring strike rate. Now 4lb lower than when winning here in November 2020, but a lot is to be taken on trust to side with.

Form: 027-700

Shoeshine Boy³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: B S Hughes| T: D W Whillans| OR: 90

5/2

Improved significantly for step up in trip on handicap debut when second of 9 (7/2, 20.1f) at Hexham 39 days ago. Winner Shoughall’s Boy has gone in again and he has a big chance under Brian Hughes.

Form: 65-6572

Trac^p1²²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: Alain Cawley| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 88

28/1

Shown only glimpses in 3 starts since arriving from France, last of 10 latest at Wetherby (100/1, 24.1f) 22 days ago. Cheekpieces worn previously go on here back down in trip so market check needed.

Form: 5-44500

Ribeye¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽⁷⁾| T: P Atkinson| OR: 85

25/1

Yet to show form over hurdles to date, but has been kept to the minimum trip since hurdling debut. His pedigree suggests he needs further to show his true ability and more may be revealed today.

Form: 0/P5-750

Bollin Phoenix^b1²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Conor Rabbitt⁽⁷⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 83

12/1

Handicap debutant with little form in three novice starts. 100/1 when 7th of 10 at Newcastle (2m, good to soft), though the form of the race is starting to work out. Worth a market check.

Form: 040-807

Non-Runners

Joie De Vivre⁴⁰

Weight: 11-12| Age: 6

T: M Todhunter J: Callum Bewley

Calliope⁴⁸

Weight: 11-10| Age: 8

T: Mrs Dianne Sayer J: Alan Doyle

The Steward¹⁶⁰

Weight: 11-10| Age: 10

T: James Moffatt J: Non Runner

One Step Too Far⁵⁸

Weight: 11-5| Age: 4

T: Miss J E Foster J: 2nd Preference

Skipness¹⁸

Weight: 10-13| Age: 6

T: T D Easterby J: Mark Galligan

Forecasts

Cailin Dearg (2/1), Shoeshine Boy (5/2), Joie De Vivre (11/2), Don Brocco (11/2), The Steward (6/1), Calliope (13/2), Cash Again (15/2), Bollin Phoenix (12/1), Miracle Eagle (12/1), Lostnfound (18/1), Ribeye (25/1), Trac (28/1), Skipness (50/1), One Step Too Far (66/1)

SHOESHINE BOY showed significant improvement when stepped up in trip on handicap debut last month, the form of which has since been franked. Under Brian Hughes he can see off fellow-improver Cailin Dearg, who scored over C&D at the start of the month. The reliable Calliope looks weighted to go well but may find the unexposed pair too good.