Racecards
14:20 Sedgefield
Casino At bet365 Handicap Hurdle (Class 3)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 3m 3f 9y
- Going: Good (Watered)
- Surface: Turf
- £8,500 added
- Winner: £5,523
- 2nd: £1,622
- 3rd: £811
- 4th: £405
- Form 6-32437
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 125
- Trainer D McCain Jnr
- Jockey W T Kennedy
tracked leaders, left 2nd 3 out, soon challenged, ridden after next, every chance last, kept on under pressure flat, just held in 3rd near finish
- Form 4/24-111
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 125
- Trainer F O'Brien
- Jockey P J Brennan
held up in mid-division, tracked leaders 6th, close up on inside when brought down 3 out
- Form 1730-45
- Age 7
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 123
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey R P McLernon
tracked leader, left in lead 3 out, soon pressed, ridden before last, kept on under pressure flat, just held on
- Form 34-8631
- Age 7
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 119
- Trainer D Pipe
- Jockey Michael Heard
tracked leaders, lost place when blundered and rider lost iron briefly 5th, left tracking front pair 3 out, ridden after next, every chance last, kept on under pressure flat, just failed
- Form 116-31P
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 113
- Trainer M M McNiff
- Jockey D R Fox
held up behind, struggling 4 out, never on terms
- Form 237P-61
- Age 8
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 111
- Trainer Kenneth Slack
- Jockey Thomas Dowson
led until fell 3 out
- Form 7535-53
- Age 7
- Weight 10-9
- Official Rating 108
held up behind, headway and in touch on outside 8th, outpaced in 4th after 3 out, no impression from next
In depth
Verdict
Luccombe Down has been in fine form this summer but steps up a grade off a 10lb higher mark than when completing his hat-trick at Stratford. Omid is a stout stayer who won easily at Cartmel in June but he's been found wanting when tried at this level in the past. Volcanic has been fighting a losing battle with the handicapper since winning at Bangor last December while Optimistic Bias has been chasing and also still looks a few pounds too high. SKYLANDER got back to winning ways at Worcester last month under Michael Heard, whose claim is a plus again here as the seven-year-old attempts a follow-up.
Formwatch
Volcanic (FR) 10-1 (11-12) Led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened before next, 7th of 10, 26 1/2l behind Hold Court (11-7) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Luccombe Down 8-11fav (12-5) Tracked leaders, 2nd from 7th, not fluent 3 out, led approaching last, ridden out, won at Stratford 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in Aug beating Mighty Leader (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Optimistic Bias (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Mid-division, not fluent 1st, hit 9th, closed next, no impression from 3 out, blundered last, 5th of 9, 11 1/2l behind Ballyknock Lad (10-12) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Skylander (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, 2nd last, challenged flat, ran on, led close home, won at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Aug beating Listen And Learn (11-12) by nk, 7 ran.
Mr Mulliner (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Towards rear, pushed along from 9th, weakened and pulled up before 3 out, at Roscommon 3m 1f hcp Good - Yielding in Jul.
Omid 5-1 (11-4) Led, headed 4 out, led again before next, drew clear between last 2, unchallenged after, easily, won at Cartmel 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Jun beating Darsi Dancer (10-12) by 17l, 12 ran.
Factor Fifty (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Held up in rear, not fluent 3 out, soon closed, 3rd before next, no extra flat, 3rd of 10, 9 1/4l behind Ruaraidh Hugh (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Jul.