March 19 / 16.40 Sedgefield

16.40

Good

Fairlight Studios Cafe @ Sedgefield Racecourse Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £3247.81
  • 2m 5f 28y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
SKY
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Fairlight Studios Cafe @ Sedgefield Racecourse Handicap Chase

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

13/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.20
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 035145 C

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 12lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
12yo who is inconsistent and has been well below his best on his last two starts; however, before those he won at Catterick (3m1f, good) and he's won here twice in the past; not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

19th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 28y

Class 5

16:40 Sedgefield

Valence DAumont

10st 12lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

12yo who is inconsistent and has been well below his best on his last two starts; however, before those he won at Catterick (3m1f, good) and he's won here twice in the past; not discounted.

13/2

5th

7

3rd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 4

16:05 Newcastle

Valence DAumont

10st 5lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Winner at Catterick in December (3m1f, good) but a well-beaten fourth on softer ground over same C&D last time; could bounce back.

15/2

4th

6

21st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 54y

Class 5

14:50 Catterick

Valence DAumont

11st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

12yo whose form can be up and down but he's won on his last two visits to Catterick (soft/good), the latest over C&D last month when beating Mersey Street by a short head; he's a player if backing up that effort.

11/2

7/1

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 0151F3 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent and no match for the front two at Catterick last time; however, he won over C&D (good) in November and at Catterick (2m3f, good) in January, and he'll be in the shake-up if reproducing that sort of form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

28th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 5

18:30 Market Rasen

El Muchacho

12st 0lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Won twice on good ground (2m5f/2m3f) for this new stable last season and has been placed on last three appearances, most recently when second over C&D (good) three weeks ago; 1lb lower today and seems very likely to be in the thick of things again.

7/4

2nd

3

8th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 5

15:15 Market Rasen

El Muchacho

11st 7lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Holding form well since January's Catterick success (2m3f, good), actually achieving more on RPRs when a close third at Newcastle latest; still well treated on his 2023-24 peak form, and no ground concerns.

9/2

3rd

1

31st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 5

16:30 Newcastle

El Muchacho

12st 0lb

J: William Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Won at Catterick in January (2m3f, good) and best form since when 0.5l second at Sedgefield last time (2m5f, good); conditions suit; chance.

11/2

9/2

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 4-727P CD

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 13lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Five-time course winner (2m3f/2m5f) who was second here on Boxing Day and has had excuses on both starts since, namely the 3m2f trip here then a different course (Market Rasen); could play a leading role back here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

10th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 28y

Class 4

13:57 Sedgefield

Tom Creen

11st 8lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Standing dish here with all five career wins having come at the venue and on slow ground, including over this trip; produced one of his better efforts when second here last Boxing Day but not as good since; back on a very handy mark and can go well.

15/8

3rd

2

19th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 28y

Class 5

16:40 Sedgefield

Tom Creen

11st 13lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Five-time course winner (2m3f/2m5f) who was second here on Boxing Day and has had excuses on both starts since, namely the 3m2f trip here then a different course (Market Rasen); could play a leading role back here.

9/2

2

17th Feb 2026

2m 3f 34y

Class 5

16:12 Market Rasen

Tom Creen

11st 13lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

All five wins over fences have been at Sedgefield; didn't appear to get home there over 3m2f (good to soft) when seventh of nine finishers last month but best to wait until he returns to his favourite venue at a more suitable trip.

11/2

Form: 358-5P D

Last run: 87 days

W: 10st 8lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Well handicapped on his 2024 form but this 11yo struggled on both starts towards the end of last year, following an absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

19th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 28y

Class 5

16:40 Sedgefield

Song Of Earth

10st 8lb

J: Harry Bannister

T: Julian Smith

Well handicapped on his 2024 form but this 11yo struggled on both starts towards the end of last year, following an absence.

25/1

8th

6

28th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 2f 40y

Class 5

15:10 Taunton

Song Of Earth

11st 8lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Julian Smith

towards rear

14/1

8th

6

28th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 2f 40y

Class 5

15:10 Taunton

Song Of Earth

11st 8lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Julian Smith

Well handicapped on his old Irish form and caught the eye from off the pace at Uttoxeter after 153 days away; could be interesting.

14/1

Form: 13-336 C

Last run: 53 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Three chase wins in 2024 (good/good to soft; including here) and respectable efforts this season on first two starts for new yard; well beaten when reverting to hurdles here since but could be in the mix back chasing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

23rd May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

17:05 Cartmel

Imperial Rule

11st 9lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Triple scorer over just shy of this trip during 2024 (good and good to soft), and now back below his last winning mark; needs forgiving a pair of weakening efforts around Sedgefield most recently, however.

16/1

5th

3

19th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 28y

Class 5

16:40 Sedgefield

Imperial Rule

11st 10lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Three chase wins in 2024 (good/good to soft; including here) and respectable efforts this season on first two starts for new yard; well beaten when reverting to hurdles here since but could be in the mix back chasing.

15/2

6th

5

25th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

16:10 Sedgefield

Imperial Rule

11st 6lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Won three chases (one here) for Rebecca Menzies in 2024 and started off for Lizzie Quinlan with two very respectable chase runs this season; quite tricky to weigh up on first hurdling start for over two years and may not be favoured by rain but has a lower mark for this discipline.

6/1

Form: 0-0009

Last run: 75 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 7yo who failed to achieve much in Ireland and changed hands for 1,400gns in January; however, her new trainer can do well with stable-switchers and it will be no surprise to see a good run; watch the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 5

15:40 Kelso

Park Rules

10st 10lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Iain Jardine

One to watch in the betting in first-time tongue-tie/cheekpieces on this second start for the stable but there was no return to form from this ex-Irish mare at Sedgefield a fortnight ago, when tailed off.

11/1

6th

7

19th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 28y

Class 5

16:40 Sedgefield

Park Rules

11st 0lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Iain Jardine

Lightly raced 7yo who failed to achieve much in Ireland and changed hands for 1,400gns in January; however, her new trainer can do well with stable-switchers and it will be no surprise to see a good run; watch the betting.

9/1

OUR TIP

Form: 151560 C

Last run: 28 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
He's failed to shine on his three starts since his chase win at Musselburgh in December, last time tailed off over hurdles here; however, he won three times last year, including over hurdles here, and is not written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 5

15:40 Kelso

Benefit Ben

12st 0lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Adam Nicol

Won at Musselburgh (2m7f, soft) in December and returned to form at Sedgefield (2m5f, good) a fortnight ago, when he was narrowly in front when falling two out; won over hurdles here last May and he's on the shortlist.

5/2

1

19th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 28y

Class 5

16:40 Sedgefield

Benefit Ben

12st 0lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Adam Nicol

He's failed to shine on his three starts since his chase win at Musselburgh in December, last time tailed off over hurdles here; however, he won three times last year, including over hurdles here, and is not written off.

5/1

10th

8

19th Feb 2026

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

15:43 Sedgefield

Benefit Ben

11st 10lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Adam Nicol

Three wins, the first over this C&D on soft, last year; hasn't been at his best on last two starts but has an each-way chance.

11/2

Form: 76463

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
4-1 for last month's chase and handicap debut at Musselburgh (2m4f, soft), beaten about 6l in third of six; this unexposed 5yo is open to improvement if finding greater fluency over his fences; chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

16th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 123y

Class 5

14:45 Bangor-on-Dee

Siege Of Acres

11st 12lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Early switch to chasing hasn't gone entirely to plan; looking a bit more realistic now, but needs to tease out his resources longer.

20/1

10th

4

18th Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

13:52 Bangor-on-Dee

Siege Of Acres

11st 13lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

Lightly raced hurdler; ran well in his first chase and was doing likewise when falling at Sedgefield, though wouldn't have won; others preferred.

10/1

4

19th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 28y

Class 5

16:40 Sedgefield

Siege Of Acres

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

4-1 for last month's chase and handicap debut at Musselburgh (2m4f, soft), beaten about 6l in third of six; this unexposed 5yo is open to improvement if finding greater fluency over his fences; chance.

11/4

Form: 3/P-8P

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Very lightly raced 9yo who showed promise in novice hurdles in late 2022 but he missed all of 2023 and 2024 and has struggled in handicaps over hurdles/fences since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

16th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

Quickasican

11st 8lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: Jessica Bedi

Lightly raced 9yo who was pulled up in 2m4f handicap chase at Hexham two weeks ago; not proving easy to catch right.

16/1

5

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

19:15 Hexham

Quickasican

11st 4lb

J: Ryan Mania

T: Jessica Bedi

Failed to complete on first two starts over fences, but shaped better when second of five at Newcastle last time (2m4f, good); could go well.

8/1

2nd

6

11th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 19y

Class 5

13:30 Newcastle

Quickasican

11st 1lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Jessica Bedi

Signs of ability over hurdles for Rebecca Menzies in 2022; lightly raced since, failing to complete in two attempts over fences (PF) for this trainer; monitor only for time being.

20/1

Form: 1314P4

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Two wins at Hexham (3m, good to soft) last year and on a handy mark on that form; soft ground may not have suited here last time but he's now been well below par on his last two starts and has to get back on track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

19th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 28y

Class 5

16:40 Sedgefield

Ballydangan

10st 7lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Hugh Burns

Two wins at Hexham (3m, good to soft) last year and on a handy mark on that form; soft ground may not have suited here last time but he's now been well below par on his last two starts and has to get back on track.

12/1

4th

3

19th Feb 2026

3m 2f 59y

Class 5

15:08 Sedgefield

Ballydangan

11st 3lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Hugh Burns

Won twice over 3m at Hexham last year (good); pulled up when returning from a short break at Catterick last time; conditions perhaps not ideal and a bit to prove.

9/1

Form: /0-PUP

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
In touch at 66-1 when unseating four out here last month but pulled up at 50-1 at Newcastle since; it's probably best to look elsewhere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

10th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 28y

Class 4

13:57 Sedgefield

Paramaribo

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Victor Thompson

Point (good) and 2m4f hurdle winner (soft) but has shown no worthwhile form under rules for almost two years and looks best watched.

20/1

11

19th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 28y

Class 5

16:40 Sedgefield

Paramaribo

10st 5lb

J: Edward Austin

T: Victor Thompson

In touch at 66-1 when unseating four out here last month but pulled up at 50-1 at Newcastle since; it's probably best to look elsewhere.

50/1

8

3rd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 5

14:35 Newcastle

Paramaribo

10st 10lb

J: Miss Pippa Brown

T: Victor Thompson

Flat, hurdle and point winner who was still in touch when unseating his rider four out in a Sedgefield handicap last time in the race in which Huit Reflets was second (2m3f, good to soft); not out of it.

50/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £48.60
Straight Forecast £43.34
Tricast £167.33
Trifecta £206.50

Selections

POSTDATA:

El Muchacho

The Times:

Siege Of Acres

RP RATINGS:

Benefit Ben

SPOTLIGHT:

Tom Creen

The Star:

Valence d'Aumont

D Express:

Siege Of Acres

The Sun:

Siege Of Acres

The Guardian:

Benefit Ben

Daily Mail:

Benefit Ben

Telegraph:

El Muchacho

Daily Mirror:

El Muchacho

Daily Record:

El Muchacho

TOPSPEED:

Tom Creen