Thursday 19th February 2026
Sedgefield
1.58 Sedgefield: Canine Premier Flex Plus Joint Supplement Handicap Chase:
Following his six and a half length victory over course and distance last time out, DOUBLE DIGITS could prove tough to beat here for the team of Ann Hamilton and Danny McMenamin. He seemed to relish the step back down to two miles on that occasion, in what was only his second start over fences. A seven-pound rise may not be enough to stop him here, and there’s likely further progression still to come. Glen Road is a significant danger for Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith, he was no stranger to the winner’s enclosure over hurdles, and should build on his chase debut at Newcastle last time out.
2.33 Sedgefield: Sign Lead Your Horse To Water Handicap Hurdle:
SPIKE JONES could take advantage of an ease in grade here for Samuel Drinkwater. He was last seen finishing fourth of eleven in a Grade 3 handicap at Sandown behind Henri The Second, and these are much calmer waters for the nine-year-old. He’s also on a pound lower mark than his last winning one, with a further seven coming off his back here via his rider, Sam Burton. He should be very competitive at this level. Ballin Bay is a big danger on the back of his course and distance success last time out, and he’s only three pounds higher here for Rebecca Menzies.
3.43 Sedgefield: Happy Birthday Becca Handicap Hurdle:
This is a competitive low-grade affair; however, DEARKEITHANDKATY is considerably less exposed than most of his rivals here for Jonjo & A J O’Neil. He kept on to win his first handicap last time out at Musselburgh, with that success coming over three miles. The drop back down in distance here may not be his optimum; however, he did finish a neck second of eleven over this trip at Carlisle on his penultimate start. He’s just a couple of pounds higher than his Musselburgh success, and with more improvement likely, he has a big chance to follow up under Jonjo O’Neil Jr. His man danger looks to come in the form of Thank You Blue for Jennie Candlish and three-pound claimer Lewis Stone. He took advantage of a tumbling mark to win by over four lengths over course and distance last time out, and could be tough to beat if he’s in the same form off a five-pound higher mark.
4.17 Sedgefield: Paxtons No1 CaseIH Dealer Handicap Chase:
The finale could be another one for the O’Neil team as MERSEY STREET looks to hold strong claims to follow up his recent chase success at this track earlier this month, where he won by three and a quarter of a length over a slightly shorter trip. He kept on strongly that day, having been given a positive ride from today’s rider Jonjo O’Neil Jr, and given the manner he won by that day, a six-pound rise in the weights may not be enough to stop the eight-year-old from following up. Cave Hill would have to bounce back from a couple of disappointing efforts as of late; however, he’s now just a pound higher than his last winning mark for Ian Duncan, and he was third of seven here three starts ago off two pounds higher. He’d be a danger if he were on a going day.
1.58 Sedgefield – DOUBLE DIGITS (11/10) (Win) (NAP) – Glen Road (Danger)
2.33 Sedgefield – SPIKE JONES (4/1) (Win) – Ballin Bay (Danger)
3.43 Sedgefield – DEARKETIHANDKATY (7/2) (Win) – Thank You Blue (Danger)
4.17 Sedgefield – MERSEY STREET (2/1) (Win) (NB) – Cave Hill (Danger)
