It’s all about the North East today as Sedgefield and Newcastle open their gates to competitive racing.
2.40 Sedgefield – Final winners Enjoy D’Allen, Ballin Bay and Asa clash
A trio of final winners lock horns in the opening Winning Connections Conference Rental Handicap Chase at Sedgefield.
Enjoy d’Allen returned to form with a big success at Plumpton last month and this evergreen 12-year-old should remain competitive despite a 2lb gain. Lily Jones takes off what could be a vital 7 pounds here aboard Neil King’s load.
Rebecca Menzies’ Ballin Bay arrives in red-hot form having scored on his last two starts at this venue and, given the way he dominated the field last time out, rates as the biggest threat under Nathan Moscrop. The cheek pieces are retained, but he will have to go back up under a 10 pound penalty.
Philip Kirby saddles Asa who built on a solid effort at Wetherby to land a Catterick event with little to spare and the step up in trip could help him with Joe Williamson booked.
6.30 Newcastle – Fast Track Harry and Beauty Destiny headline
Fast Track Harry and Beauty Destiny headline a quality field of nine for the feature Midnite, building the betting handicap of the future in Newcastle.
Clive Cox graduates Fast Track Harry made a winning all-weather debut in his first race after having gelding surgery at Lingfield last month and looks to be an obvious player under Rob Hornby.
Beauty destiny is a fascinating runner as he makes his debut for the Ed Bethell team. A series winner in Hong Kong, his form is hard to gauge but he will top the weights of an opening with a rating of 102.
Many have chances, including Tracy Waggott’s progressives Heavenly Heather. She has been a revelation this winter, winning twice and finishing second three times and rates as an all-rounder.
The Archie Watson team has been on an upward trajectory lately and Albasheer represent them here under Hollie Doyle. Once rated as high as 107, he is interesting at his current rating of 97.
3.40 Sedgefield – A King Of Magic offers to follow up Nicholls
A king of magic offers to follow up his recent success in Roxyfet Sports Lounge for private hire Beginners.
After finishing behind Cheltenham winner Johnny’s Jury at Taunton on his penultimate start, he showed improved form to score at Taunton next time out. It was a decent field and with form franked he can defy a penalty with Freddie Keightley claiming 5lb.
Buddha Castlea point-to-point winner, made a winning debut over hurdles over 2m4f here in December before disappointing at Newcastle in January. He is taken to bounce back and deserves respect on this drop back into the distance.
passing diamond and Desertmore news complete the shortlist for Ben Haslam and Tom Ellis respectively.