Wednesday 5th February 2025
2.05 Sedgefield: Betting.Bet Free Members Club Handicap Hurdle: My first selection of the day on Wednesday comes at Sedgefield and within the 2.50 which is a Class 5 handicap hurdle over three miles and three furlongs. I’m with The Questioner in this competitive affair for Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, the mount of Henry Brooke. He ran better last time out Wetherby, finishing third of ten, and will contest this off the same mark four pounds lower than his last winning one. The step up in trip could also suit given that he’s won over three miles and two furlongs over fences, and I think he’s got every chance. The Questioner – 11/4 (Win)
3.05 Sedgefield: Betting.Bet Free Bets Handicap Hurdle: Next up for me will be the 3.05 from Sedgefield and this is another Class 5 handicap hurdle, this time over two miles and four furlongs. I like Roccos Inspiration in this for Olly Murphy and Lewis Saunders who takes off seven pounds. She won a maiden on his first start for this yard and whilst she hasn’t progressed since handicapping over a number of distances she did run a satisfactory race at Uttoxeter last time when finishing sixth of eleven. Most notably, she’s effectively nine-pound lower here with the rider’s claim and she should be getting closer off this mark. Roccos Inspiration – 11/4 (Win)
4.05 Sedgefield: Paxtons No1 CaseIH Dealer In UK&Ireland Handicap Chase: It’s the 4.05 where I turn my attention now and this is a Class 5 handicap chase that’s ridden over two miles and three and a half furlongs. I’m with Pilgrims King here for Peter & Michael Brown and the mount of Shane Fenelon who takes off five pounds. He ran a much-improved race last time when finishing third of eleven at Fakenham, following a string of pulled-up efforts and he’s been dropped a further pound for his efforts there. He’ll contest this race off a mark that is nine pounds lower than his last winning mark with the rider’s claim, and that success also came over today’s trip. He could be coming back into form. Pilgrims King – 5/2 (Win)
4.35 Sedgefield: Michael Watson MW Paving & Groundworks Mares’ Handicap Hurdle: My fourth and final selection of the afternoon comes within the 4.35 and this is a Class 5 mares handicap hurdle over two miles and a furlong. I think that this particular affair can go to Addosh for James Owen and Ben Bromley who takes off five pounds. She often mixes codes between the All-Weather and National Hunt spheres and was last seen finishing second of nine of two miles and half of a furlong at Southwell last month. She’s won off fifteen pounds higher than today’s mark over hurdles in the past and it would be disappointing should she not make her presence felt at this level. Addosh – 7/2 (Win)
