Racecards
14:30 Sedgefield
N.E.S Services Ltd Novices' Handicap Chase (Class 4)
- 4 Runners
- Distance: 3m 3f
- Going: Soft, Heavy in places
- Surface: Turf
- £7,200 added
- Winner: £4,679
- 2nd: £1,374
- 3rd: £687
- 4th: £343
- Form 5-F5312
- Age 6
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer T Coyle & K Wood
- Jockey D C Costello
jumped right throughout, tracked leader until 10th, pecked on landing next, outpaced from 14th, tailed off
- Form 34P2-32
- Age 9
- Weight 11-11
- Official Rating 99
- Trainer W Kinsey
- Jockey James Reveley
led, ridden along from 7th, headed 12th, chased winner until outpaced from 3 out
- Form 3-76443
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 93
- Trainer C Grant
- Jockey B S Hughes
chased leading pair, went 2nd 10th, led 12th, clear 2 out, not fluent next, ran on
- Form P5-862V
- Age 6
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 79
- Trainer M A Barnes
- Jockey M J McAlister
chased leading pair when blundered and unseated rider 3rd
In depth
Verdict
After a close second at Hexham, Apache Pilot was just touched off over course and distance in a race that was subsequently voided. But his sloppy jumping remains a concern while long-standing maiden Generous Chief is getting no closer. SILVER DRAGON has shown himself to be suited by a test of stamina lately. He was only beaten a length over 4m at Hexham last month and was clear of the third. Though 4lb higher here, he could be the one to beat. Strike Fast appears to have plenty of weight for what he's achieved.
Formwatch
Silver Dragon 5-2fav (10-6) Led and hung right, clear from 8th, headed 4 out, remained close up, led last, soon headed, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Snuker (10-4) at Hexham 4m hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Nov.
Strike Fast (IRE) 11-4 (11-2) Tracked winner, pushed along after 11th, kept on but no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 9l behind Moyode Wood (11-8) at Hexham 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Nov.
Generous Chief (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, lost place after 4th, struggling 10th, well behind 4 out, plugged on before last, went 3rd flat, no impression, 3rd of 6, 22l behind Buddy Love (10-1) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
Apache Pilot 13-8fav (10-6) in a race won by Debt To Society (11-1) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Nov, 7 ran.