Vickers Bet Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 3m 47.3s

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Selected odds by:

Gordon's Jet²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: B S Hughes| T: B Ellison| OR: 122| C| D

15/8

Course winner last October who failed to justify support back here in January. Made second Flat start a winning one at Catterick in June and wasn't seen to best effect at Lingfield last time. Respected back over hurdles.

Form: 2P3136-

Caramelised²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 122

4/1

Dual winning hurdler who opened his account on the Flat at Bath in June. Had little go right when seventh in the Summer Hurdle (Handicap) at Market Rasen and was unsuited by a steady gallop back on the level at Brighton last time. Worth another chance, though stable's recent form is a concern.

Form: 1137-7

El Borracho^t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 116| CD

9/2

Stepped up on return when capitalising on a career-low mark over hurdles at Uttoxeter in May and backed that up with a good second at Aintree. Run best excused at Cartmel prior to a creditable third back on the level at Nottingham last time.

Form: 13-6128

The Navigator¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: C O'Farrell| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| OR: 115| CD

4/1

Recorded a third C&D win in smooth style in April. Added to his tally back on the Flat at Carlisle a month later and has remained in good form under both codes subsequently. Seems sure to go well.

Form: 8211-27

Sonning⁸⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: J Kington| T: D Brooke| OR: 105

9/1

Winner on the Flat and off the mark over hurdles on second start at Catterick in November. Well held this year, including all 3 starts for current yard, but has eased in the weights as a result.

Form: 3466-70

Golden Town⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 10-8| J: Charlotte Jones⁽³⁾| T: James Moffatt| OR: 102| CD

12/1

Veteran who has dropped a fair way in the weights and stepped up on reappearance run when fourth in 8-runner C&D handicap last week. This looks a stronger race, though.

Form: 7355-74

Forecasts

Gordon's Jet (15/8), The Navigator (4/1), Caramelised (4/1), El Borracho (9/2), Sonning (9/1), Golden Town (12/1)

THE NAVIGATOR boasts an excellent course record so looks interesting now returning to Sedgefield having been ticking over nicely on the Flat of late. He shades the vote over Caramelised, who shaped well enough in the Summer Hurdle at Market Rasen to suggest his current mark isn't beyond him. Gordon's Jet, a previous course winner, is also respected back in this sphere.