Racecards
16:10 Sedgefield
Saltwell Signs Silver Plate 1730 Ad Novices' Chase (Class E)
- 4 Runners
- Distance: 2m 5f
- Going: Soft (Good to Soft in Places, Heavy Final 150 yards)
- Form 02114P
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer P Needham
- Jockey C McCormack
tracked leaders, dropped rear 8th, mistake next, soon lost touch
- Form 332-P46
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer J Howard Johnson
- Jockey P Robson
tracked winner to 11th, outpaced next
- Form 3-44P54
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Frank Kirby
- Jockey K Johnson
held up, headway 9th, chased winner from 11th, soon no chance
- Form 04-0265
- Age 9
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer N G Richards
- Jockey B P Harding
jumped left throughout, made all, clear after 9th, easily
In depth
Verdict
An uncompetitive contest and, barring accidents, this should prove a formality for The French Furze, who can make a winning chase debut. The Nicky Richards-trained gelding is on a longish losing sequence over timber but boasts some smart form this term including a fine second, beaten six lengths, behind Intersky Falcon in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle in November. Sure to have been well schooled for this introduction over the larger obstacles, the nine-year-old is entitled to win this in a hack canter. Ex-Irish hurdler Classic Lash recorded back-to-back wins in modest handicaps for former connections but was bitterly disappointing on his British debut here in December so Sound Of Cheers, who has shown some ability over fences, can chase the selection home.