It’s all about the North East today as Sedgefield and Newcastle open their gates for competitive racing.
2.40 Sedgefield – Last-time winners Enjoy D’Allen, Ballin Bay and Asa clash
A trio of last-time winners lock horns in the opening Winning Connections Conference Hire Handicap Chase at Sedgefield.
Enjoy d’Allen returned to form with an all-the-way success at Plumpton last month and this evergreen 12-year-old should remain competitive despite a 2lb rise. Lily Jones takes off what could be a vital 7lbs here aboard Neil King’s charge.
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, he rates the chief threat under Nathan Moscrop. The cheek-pieces are retained but he will need to step up again under a 10lb penalty.
Philip Kirby saddles Asa who built on a solid effort at Wetherby to land a Catterick event with a bit 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 Future Of Betting Handicap at Newcastle.
The Clive Cox-trained Fast Track Harry made a winning all-weather debut on his first run after having a gelding operation at Lingfield last month and he looks an obvious player under Rob Hornby.
Beauty Destiny is a fascinating runner as he makes his debut for the Ed Bethell team. A serial winner in Hong Kong, his form is hard to gauge but he will top the weights off an opening a mark of 102.
Plenty have chances including Tracy Waggott’s progressive Heavenly Heather. She has been a revelation this winter winning on two occasions and finishing runner-up three times and rates an each-way player.
The Archie Watson team have been an on upward trajectory lately and Albasheer represent them here under Hollie Doyle. Once rated as high as 107, he is of interest at his current mark of 97.
3.40 Sedgefield – A King Of Magic bids to follow up for Nicholls
A King Of Magic bids to follow up his recent success in the Roxyfet Sports Lounge For Private Hire Novices’ Hurdle.
Having finished behind Cheltenham winner Johnny’s Jury at Taunton on his penultimate start, he showed improved form to score at Taunton next time. That was a decent field and with the form having been franked, he can defy a penalty with Freddie Keightley claiming 5lb.
Buddah Castle, a point-to-point winner, made a winning hurdling debut over 2m4f here in December before disappointing at Newcastle in January. He is taken to bounce back and merits respect on this drop back in distance.
Passing Diamond and Desertmore News complete the shortlist for Ben Haslam and Tom Ellis respectively.
