Racecards
13:40 Sedgefield
John Smith's Extra Smooth Novices' Hurdle (Div 2) (Class E)
- 13 Runners
- Distance: 2m 1f
- Going: Good to Soft, Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer J Howard Johnson
- Jockey A Dempsey
held up, driven and kept on from 2 out, never troubled leaders
- Form 4-
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer D Thompson
- Jockey G Lee
tracked leaders, headway to lead after 4th, driven clear when hit last, pushed out flat
El Andaluz (FR)
295- Form 90-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer M Todhunter
- Jockey Jim Crowley
led to after 4th, chased winner, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer F P Murtagh
- Jockey G Berridge
mid-division, lost place 5th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer B Potts
- Jockey P Merrigan
behind, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leaders approaching next, soon weakened
Red Bluff (IRE)
189- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer H Alexander
- Jockey J P Byrne
behind from 5th, never dangerous
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer I W McInnes
- Jockey P McDonald
in touch, mistake 2nd, lost place 3 out, soon weakened
- Form 4
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
tracked leader, ridden 2 out, kept on approaching last, no impression
Third Empire
137- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
mid-division on inside, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leaders next, kept on same pace, no impression
- Form 0-8
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
held up, always behind
- Age 4
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer R M Whitaker
- Jockey P Whelan
chased leaders to 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
In depth
Verdict
Three worth noting here are Bohemian Brook, Charlie Tango and Step Perfect with the last named getting the nod. Step Perfect ran with great credit on his debut when finishing fourth of nineteen at Haydock and although beaten over twenty lengths that day he was not knocked around and will almost be certain to come on for the run so is worth keeping on the right side of. Charlie Tango has not been seen since December of last year when finishing fourth to Praire Sun at Catterick. Fitness would have to be an issue but if able to conquer that he would have to be respected. As does newcomer Bohemian Brook who ventures from a top northern yard and on that alone is to be avoided at your peril. But for the winner we return to Step Perfect.
Formwatch
Bohemian Brook (IRE) Alderbrook gelding out of an unraced mare.
Charlie Tango (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and weakened 2 out, 4th of 10, 10l behind Prairie Sun (10-0) at Catterick 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) gf in Dec.
El Andaluz (FR) 80-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, 14th of 16, well behind Limited Edition (11-11) at Doncaster 2m nh nov hdl (E) gd in Jan.
Matthew My Son (IRE) 200-1 (9-6) With leaders, weakened over 3f out, 4th of 6, 38l behind Sasso (9-0) at Ayr 1m 2f mdn stk (5) sft in Sept (Flat).
Red Bluff (IRE) 100-1 (8-3) In touch, pushed along over 5f out, soon beaten, 10th of 14, 23l behind Gold Guest (8-4) at Catterick 1m 4f clm (6) gs in May (Flat).
Step Perfect (USA) 100-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 19, 23l behind Spring Breeze (10-12) at Haydock 2m nov hdl (D) gd in Oct.
Top Dawn (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Always behind, 8th of 13, well behind Echo Point (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Oct.
Acca Larentia (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Mid-division, effort 4f out, one pace approaching final furlong, no impression, 5th of 9, 7l behind Senor Bond (9-0) at Musselburgh 1m sll (6) gf in Jul (Flat).