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18:30 Sedgefield

Thursday 31 August 2017

All16:3017:0017:3018:0018:3019:0019:30

Happy New House Holly And Lewis Handicap Chase

Off time: 18:30 | Winning time: 4m 46.0s

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Selected odds by:

Friendly Royal^t1⁵⁰⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 115

14/1

Both of his wins were when with Sue Smith in 2015 and were when there was cut in the ground. Lost his way for that yard and now has his first start for this one, after an absence of 16 months. Probably best watched, though market check advised.

Form: 1224PP/

Highbury High^p,t¹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: N D Fehily| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 110

11/8

Best at around this trip and came back to form at Southwell when last seen, being beaten just a head from today's mark. This is a slightly better contest, but nonetheless he has shown that he can compete at this sort of level.

Form: 241-462

Oliver's Hill^b,t¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Mrs L Hill| OR: 110

13/2

At his best on a sound/fast surface, as he showed with all three of his wins last season. Stays further and showed at Plumpton in March that this sort of mark is not beyond him, although has to put a couple of lack lustre efforts behind him.

Form: 1162P-5

Muwalla^t¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Callum Bewley⁽³⁾| T: Miss L Harrison| OR: 107| C

4/1

Stays 2m4f, though has yet to win beyond 2m1f. Acts well on a sound surface and is a consistent performer in this grade, so looks sure to be very competitive once again.

Form: 221232

Cooper's Friend^b1³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: C O'Farrell| T: R M Smith| OR: 104| CD

13/2

His sole chasing success was in this race last year when trained by Charlie Longsdon. Handicapper has largely been in control since switching to current stable, who now swap cheekpieces for blinkers in the hope of a repeat from an 8lb lower mark.

Form: 6-348PP

Brother Scott⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-9| J: Sean Quinlan| T: B Butterworth| OR: 98| C

10/1

Won here in 2013 (2m1f, good) and recorded back-to-back Cartmel successes in June/July over 2m5f. Has since left Sue Smith for this yard and was beaten 41L from this mark last time. Handicapper looks to have his measure at present.

Form: 3-32116

Mahler Bay^t⁹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Ross Chapman⁽⁵⁾| T: Kenny Johnson| OR: 82

18/1

0-12 and has barely troubled the judge in that time. 7lb out of the handicap going into this and cannot be recommended on recent evidence.

Form: 00P3-47

Mr Robinson⁹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: Lee Edwards| T: L Egerton| OR: 58

100/1

All three of his wins were from significantly lower marks on 2014 and 2015. Goes into this from a long way out of the handicap and in no sort of form. Impossible to recommend.

Form: 436P-59

Forecasts

Highbury High (11/8), Muwalla (4/1), Cooper's Friend (13/2), Oliver's Hill (13/2), Brother Scott (10/1), Friendly Royal (14/1), Mahler Bay (18/1), Mr Robinson (100/1)

Very modest fayre and now that he has returned to some form perhaps HIGHBURY HIGH can prove good enough on the day. Friendly Royal is now with a yard that is putting together a good record with other trainers' cast-offs, so a market check is suggested, while Oliver's Hill and last year's winner Cooper's Friend have the ability to get involved, though it does take a leap of faith to see them winning today judged on recent efforts. Brother Scott is not totally ruled out, but he did look held by the assessor last time.