April 14 / 16.30 Sedgefield

16.30

Soft

Balanced Support Reins Bob Bowden Memorial Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £3406.24
  • 3m 3f 9y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
SKY
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Balanced Support Reins Bob Bowden Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

13/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £2.20

Form: P14802 CD

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 10lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
C&D winner who acts on soft; inconsistent and exposed but no doubting her attitude when second (front palr clear) at Hexham latest; up 2lb; each-way player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

17th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 71y

Class 5

12:30 Catterick

Atomic Angel

11st 8lb

J: Miss Natasha Cookson

T: Susan Corbett

took keen hold, prominent, led narrowly before 3rd, headed 5th, soon chased clear leader

16/1

3rd

2

17th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 71y

Class 5

12:30 Catterick

Atomic Angel

11st 8lb

J: Miss Natasha Cookson

T: Susan Corbett

took keen hold, prominent, led narrowly before 3rd, headed 5th, soon chased clear leader

16/1

8th

6

4th Dec 2024

Heavy

3m 0f 58y

Class 4

12:40 Haydock

Atomic Angel

11st 5lb

J: Jack Power

T: Susan Corbett

Game winner at Hexham (2m7f, good to soft) but then well held with no real excuses off this 6lb higher mark at Hexham (race won by Artic Mann); that was a backward step but the cheekpieces had been working well.

12/1

2/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 019421 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 12st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Triple C&D winner, including on soft; comfortable scorer last time, for which he has gone up 5lb; that form hasn't worked out well but he clearly relishes his visits here and is a big player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

31st May 2023

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

20:50 Cartmel

Thatbeatsbanagher

11st 9lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

Has been in good form this year, winning two of his four races (second in the other two), the latest at Newcastle earlier this month (2m7f, good; fourth has won since); up 4lb; chance.

3/1

1st

3

16th May 2023

Good

2m 7f 149y

Class 4

16:00 Newcastle

Thatbeatsbanagher

11st 13lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Ben Haslam

Gained all three British wins over 3m3f at Sedgefield, the latest off 7lb lower in March; ran very well over that C&D last month and won't care what the weather does here, but is away from his happy hunting ground.

11/2

2nd

1

14th Apr 2023

Soft

3m 3f 9y

Class 5

16:30 Sedgefield

Thatbeatsbanagher

12st 2lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Ben Haslam

Triple C&D winner, including on soft; comfortable scorer last time, for which he has gone up 5lb; that form hasn't worked out well but he clearly relishes his visits here and is a big player.

2/1

Form: 6664

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Moderate form until a better effort at Carlisle (2m3f, soft) latest; initial mark isn't generous based on bare form but there's plenty of stamina in his family and he could improve for this marked step up in trip on his handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 4

13:48 Carlisle

Ballin Bay

11st 2lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Rebecca Menzies

Has won his last three races, all at Sedgefield, two 3m3f handicap hurdles and last time (second run with cheekpieces) a 3m2f handicap chase; these conditions fine and should go well again despite career-high mark (5lb higher than last win).

5/1

1st

2

19th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 59y

Class 4

14:40 Sedgefield

Ballin Bay

11st 2lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Rebecca Menzies

Failed to threaten in 2024 on his two previous chase starts but he's in much better form now having won over hurdles here on his last two starts (3m3f, good to soft/soft); has shown promise on good ground; he's just 5lb higher than when easily making all four weeks ago in first-time cheekpieces (retained) and can have a big say if transferring that form back to fences.

5/4

1st

7

19th Feb 2026

3m 3f 9y

Class 4

14:33 Sedgefield

Ballin Bay

10st 11lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Rebecca Menzies

Got off the mark for the season when winning over C&D earlier this month (good to soft); only 3lb higher, but this a stronger race; cheekpieces now tried; contender.

5/2

Form: 11-234 CD BF

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
His hurdles wins came on good to soft at Wetherby (3m) and over C&D last spring; reasonably consistent in defeat in three starts this season and should be suited by a return to this test; player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

7th Mar 2025

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 5

17:10 Ayr

Great Raffles

10st 2lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Micky Hammond

Won two handicap hurdles in the spring of 2022 (3m/3m3f, good to soft); has been rather disappointing in his six runs over fences; no easy task from 4lb out of the handicap.

20/1

7th

12

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 5

15:20 Newcastle

Great Raffles

10st 2lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Micky Hammond

Won twice in a row (3m and 3m3f) over hurdles in spring 2022; way below form in his five races since switched to fences, absent 288 days before latest.

25/1

7th

12

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 19y

Class 5

15:20 Newcastle

Great Raffles

10st 2lb

J: Emma Smith-Chaston

T: Micky Hammond

Won twice in a row (3m and 3m3f) over hurdles in spring 2022; way below form in his five races since switched to fences, absent 288 days before latest.

25/1

Form: 43/5P1

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Dual chase winner at up to 3m1f and, after being held up, he stayed on to open his hurdles account with 11l success at Warwick (3m2f, soft) latest; up 5lb and looks a big player if as effective at this track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

9

11th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

14:35 Lingfield

Mr Palmtree

10st 2lb

J: Isabel Williams

T: Harriet Dickin

Likeable stayer who won twice over fences in late 2020; returned from a two-year absence in February and has been very mixed over hurdles either side of a 3m2f win (soft) in March; trip worry back chasing.

25/1

7th

6

25th Nov 2023

Good

3m 1f 10y

Class 5

11:50 Huntingdon

Mr Palmtree

10st 6lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Harriet Dickin

20-1 winner at Warwick (3m2f, soft) in March and he's also effective on good/good to soft ground; however, the win was his sole bright run among five starts earlier this year, and he was down the field the last twice.

14/1

8th

7

1st May 2023

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 5

15:12 Warwick

Mr Palmtree

11st 0lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Harriet Dickin

held up in rear, headway 7th, weakened after 3 out

8/1

Form: 753P88

Last run: 196 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Seems best on a sound surface; third at Perth (3m, good; first time tongue-tie and cheekpieces) last June; little chance based on his three runs last September; returns after a break and wind surgery.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

11

11th Jun 2023

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 4

16:35 Perth

Lockdown Leader

10st 2lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Ewan Whillans

0-14 over hurdles; ran big race and lost out only by a neck over C&D (good; refitted tongue-tie/cheekpieces) last month but is effectively 7lb higher from 5lb out of the weights today; blinkers the headgear of choice this time.

6/1

2nd

7

17th May 2023

Soft

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

19:00 Perth

Lockdown Leader

10st 3lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Ewan Whillans

in touch with leaders on inner, not fluent and outpaced 3 out, soon pushed along, rallied and went second 2 out, ridden and joined leader last, led run-in, kept on until headed towards finish

8/1

14

6th May 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 63y

Class 5

17:30 Hexham

Lockdown Leader

10st 2lb

J: Edward Austin

T: Ewan Whillans

midfield

20/1

Form: 0-PP75

Last run: 19 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Well beaten at triple-figure odds in all four hurdles starts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

14th Apr 2023

Soft

3m 3f 9y

Class 5

16:30 Sedgefield

Alien Encounter

10st 2lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Leonard Kerr

Well beaten at triple-figure odds in all four hurdles starts.

100/1

5th

5

26th Mar 2023

Heavy

2m 3f 61y

Class 4

12:50 Carlisle

Alien Encounter

10st 12lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Leonard Kerr

Has shown very little across her five runs; cheekpieces go on.

100/1

7th

4

10th Mar 2023

Good

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

16:20 Ayr

Alien Encounter

11st 0lb

J: Sam Coltherd

T: Leonard Kerr

Pulled up at huge odds in two maiden hurdles here last month (2m4f/2m3f); makes no appeal.

100/1

OUR TIP

Form: -8PP51 CD

Last run: 50 days

W: 11st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Has gained all his three wins here, the latest over C&D (beat Thatbeatsbanagher under 1l and is now 2lb better off) in February; up 5lb; heading back in the right direction and can't be dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

9th Jun 2024

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 5

16:52 Perth

The Blame Game

11st 3lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: James Ewart

always behind

16/1

7th

6

8th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:10 Kelso

The Blame Game

11st 6lb

J: William Maggs

T: James Ewart

held up in rear, no impression from 3 out

20/1

7th

6

8th May 2024

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 5

15:10 Kelso

The Blame Game

11st 6lb

J: William Maggs

T: James Ewart

held up in rear, no impression from 3 out

20/1

Form: 4-0735

Last run: 102 days

W: 10st 9lb

10 yo Mare

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
1m7f (soft) and 3m (good) hurdle winner; inconsistent; would have each-way claims based on her penultimate start over 2m7f at Market Rasen (had 2m4f defeats either side of that) and this extreme trip is worth a try.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

9th Jun 2023

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

14:20 Market Rasen

Dora De Janeiro

10st 10lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Simon West

Won off 17lb higher in March 2021 but only placed once since; well beaten over C&D four weeks ago and wind surgery (second such procedure) needs to help her turn her fortunes around.

20/1

10th

9

12th May 2023

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 5

16:00 Market Rasen

Dora De Janeiro

10st 13lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: Simon West

Has won at up to 3m, but did too much in front over an extended 3m2f in deteriorating conditions at Stratford latest; 13lb below her one winning handicap mark, and chance if energies are optimally distributed.

16/1

7

23rd Apr 2023

Good

3m 2f 83y

Class 5

15:15 Stratford

Dora De Janeiro

11st 1lb

J: Bruce Lynn

T: Simon West

1m7f (soft) and 3m (good) hurdle winner; inconsistent; would have each-way claims based on her penultimate start over 2m7f at Market Rasen (had 2m4f defeats either side of that) and this extreme trip is worth a try.

12/1

Non-runners

The Blame Game, Dora De Janeiro

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £14.40
Straight Forecast £12.86
Tricast £58.92
Trifecta £78.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Thatbeatsbanagher

RP Ratings:

Atomic Angel

TOPSPEED:

Great Raffles

The Times:

The Blame Game

Telegraph:

Atomic Angel

D Express:

Great Raffles

POSTDATA:

Thatbeatsbanagher

Daily Mail:

Thatbeatsbanagher

Daily Mirror:

Thatbeatsbanagher

The Star:

Thatbeatsbanagher

Daily Record:

Thatbeatsbanagher

The Guardian:

The Blame Game