14:07 Sedgefield

Friday 12 January 2024

All13:0713:3714:0714:3715:0715:42

Hardwick Grange Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:08 | Winning time: 5m 17.7s

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Selected odds by:

Halpha Soleil¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 100| CD

3/1

Successful twice in French bumpers and came good over hurdles in a C&D handicap on Boxing Day, seeing off the reopposing Coup de Gold by 2½ lengths. A 5 lb rise may not stop him.

Form: 5446-41

Jubilee Gold⁴⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Dr R Newland & J Insole| OR: 98

18/1

Built on debut promise in Ireland when landing 2m novice hurdle at Fakenham in May 2022 but not seen again until pulling up in a 2m Ludlow handicap in November. Can only be watched after that.

Form: PFP3/1-P

Follow Your Arrow^p1⁸²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Jonathon Bewley| T: G Bewley| OR: 96| D

66/1

Won over fences at Hexham in summer 2022. Also placed twice over fences at the beginning of this season but has lost his way since. Remains to be seen whether a return to hurdles and first-time headgear helps to spark a revival.

Form: 2365PP

Cailin Dearg^t²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 90| CD

14/1

Recorded back-to-back wins over C&D in December 2021 but well beaten in 2 comeback outings in recent months, including here.

Form: 4240/09

Copper Fox^t1²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 89

7/1

Below his best over hurdles and fences lately. Has dropped to a career-low mark as a result and it wouldn't be a shock were he to stage a revival in a first-time tongue tie.

Form: 3P4264

Big Bee Hive^t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 84

17/2

Much improved when landing big-field handicap hurdle at Clonmel in March 2022 for Philip Rothwell. Below that level in a very light career in Britain since but he did fare a bit better when fifth of 14 to Halpha Soleil over C&D on Boxing Day and being eased another 3 lb can only help.

Form: 01/VP-P5

Better Be Definite²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Bruce Lynn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 83

25/1

Modest form in bumpers/hurdles but stands a much more realistic chance now handicapping for first time. One to keep an eye on in the betting.

Form: 507-86

I'm Too Tired¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 97

10/3

Yet to win under both codes but he has been placed on all 5 hurdle starts since joining this stable, beaten 6 lengths into third behind Halpha Soleil and Coup de Gold in a C&D handicap on latest. Likely to be in the mix again.

Form: 23233

Coup De Gold^p¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽³⁾| T: D Thompson| OR: 82

4/1

Arrives on a long losing run but he is in form, finishing 2½ lengths second of 8 to Halpha Soleil (I'm Too Tired third) over C&D on Boxing Day. One to consider.

Form: 3-76422

Robin Goodfellow⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Ross Chapman| T: Miss Tracy Waggott| OR: 77

22/1

Poor maiden on Flat who ran his best race back hurdling after 4 months off when third of 10 to El Jefe over 2m here in November. That form is solid for the grade so he's a contender from an unchanged mark, particularly as this trip may help.

Form: 34P47-3

Swift Reply⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: J Kington| T: S Waugh| OR: 77

50/1

Unseated in a point and limited encouragement so far over hurdles, pulling up on 3m Newcastle handicap debut on latest outing 7 weeks ago.

Form: U-965P

Getaway With You^p⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: J M Quinlan| T: P R Webber| OR: 67

16/1

Maiden who bettered previous exploits when fourth of 13 in novice handicap hurdle at Lingfield (19.5f) in November. However, more needed if he's to play a part here from 7 lb out of the handicap.

Form: P8P7-P4

Forecasts

Halpha Soleil (3/1), I'm Too Tired (10/3), Coup De Gold (4/1), Copper Fox (7/1), Big Bee Hive (17/2), Cailin Dearg (14/1), Getaway With You (16/1), Jubilee Gold (18/1), Robin Goodfellow (22/1), Better Be Definite (25/1), Swift Reply (50/1), Follow Your Arrow (66/1)

The C&D handicap won by HALPHA SOLEIL on Boxing Day looks the key piece of form here. Micky Hammond's charge could have more to offer and is taken to confirm his superiority over reopposing pair Coup de Gold and I'm Too Tired. Robin Goodfellow is worth a try over this trip and also makes the shortlist.