Sunday 26th January 2025
1.40 Sedgefield: Fairlight Studios Novices’ Handicap Hurdle: My first of four selections on Sunday comes at Sedgefield and in the 1.40 which is a Class 5 handicap hurdle over two miles and a furlong. I’m with The Cypriot here for Evan Williams and Osian Radford who takes off ten pounds. He’s a horse who’s steadily progressed within handicaps the last twice and posted his best effort to date at Uttoxeter last time out last month when finishing third of eleven and three lengths behind the winner. He’ll contest this particular affair off the same mark and if he continues to progress he has to be considered as a serious player. The Cypriot – 11/8 (Win)
2.20 Fontwell: Southern Cranes & Access Ltd Handicap Hurdle: It’s over to Fontwell for my second selection and the 2.20 which is another Class 5 handicap hurdle, this time over two miles and five and a half furlongs. I like Shuil Ceoil here for the team of Neil Mulholland and James Bowen. He reverts back to hurdling here having failed to find his feet over fences and he looks to be a handy mark judging by his previous hurdling form. His last winning mark over the smaller obstacles came off a pound lower and he’s also got form off a few pounds here than today’s number. If he bounces back to that form he can go well. Shuil Ceoil – 9/4 (Win)
2.50 Fontwell: BetGoodwin Download The App Handicap Chase: My third selection of the day also comes from Fontwell and in the 2.50 and this is a Class 5 handicap chase that’s ridden over two miles and five and a half furlongs. I’m strong on the chances of Leading Swoop here for Robert Walford and Harry Kimber. He’s a long-standing maiden, however, has returned to the track this term in form placing in both outings, and was only a length and three-quarters behind the winner over course and distance on his most recent outing last month. He’ll contest this off just a couple of pounds higher than that effort and if he turns up in the same form he can go very close again. Leading Swoop – 2/1 (Win)
4.22 Fontwell: BetGoodwin Master Trainer Chris Gordon Open National Hunt Flat Race: Signing me off for the afternoon will be the 4.22 at Fontwell which is a Class 5 bumper over two miles and a furlong and a half. I think that this can go to Edward Sexton for Gary & Josh Moore who’s the mount of David Dunsdon. He ran a fine race on his racecourse debut at Sandown back in November when finishing a neck second of ten in Class 4 company. A repeat of that level of form would surely be enough for him to go one better on this occasion and he sets the standard on that run. Edward Sexton – 15/8 (Win)
