January 25 / 15.40 Sedgefield

15.40

Good To Soft

Michael & Fred Watson Handicap Chase (Go North Red Rum Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £3696.7
  • 3m 2f 59y
  • Class 5
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
Michael & Fred Watson Handicap Chase (Go North Red Rum Series Qualifier)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Snow showers

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.00
  • Place: £2.50

Form: P1-38

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Former pointer who won maiden hunter chase at Kelso (2m7f, good) for owner-trainer last April and was placed in prestigious novices' hunter chase at Stratford (3m3f, good) the following month; soundly beaten on last month's stable/handicap debut but might have needed that outing and remains lightly raced under rules; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

25th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

13:00 Huntingdon

Slaney Opera

12st 0lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Nick Scholfield

3-16 in points and 2-9 over fences; two respectable runs for this yard, over 3m5f and 3m on good ground; obvious claims provided switching cheekpieces for blinkers doesn't backfire.

6/5

4th

4

16th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

16:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Slaney Opera

11st 10lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Nick Scholfield

Majority of rules and point wins have been recorded around sharp left-handers, but found the fences coming too quickly even for him at Fakenham on last month's stable debut (3m5f, good; debuted cheekpieces retained here); no surprise were he to prove better than that again.

9/2

3rd

1

13th Apr 2026

Good

3m 5f 24y

Class 5

16:10 Fakenham

Slaney Opera

12st 0lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Nick Scholfield

Former pointer/hunter chaser who won Sedgefield handicap (3m2f, good to soft) for Ruth Jefferson in January and signed off for her with clear second at Wetherby (3m, good) last month; upped in trip and fitted with cheekpieces for this stable debut; likely contender.

11/8

3/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 652-43

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Unexposed 6yo who made the frame in both his handicap hurdles (3m/2m3f); no threat to front pair when keeping on for modest third on last month's chasing debut at Market Rasen (3m, good to soft) but moves up in trip and sports first-time cheekpieces here, and could still have potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

11th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

14:42 Southwell

Delgany Deadline

11st 5lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Off the mark at Leicester (2m7f, soft) in February before posting a good second of four in 3m1f handicap at Plumpton (good); the drop back to 2m4f was not ideal there last time; better expected here.

7/2

4th

4

19th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 166y

Class 5

14:17 Plumpton

Delgany Deadline

10st 11lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Low-mileage 6yo who got off the mark at Leicester (2m7f) in February before posting a very good second of four in 3m1f handicap here two weeks ago; drops in trip but on the up so still rates a player for yard firmly among the winners.

13/8

2nd

3

5th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 157y

Class 5

14:20 Plumpton

Delgany Deadline

11st 1lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Has improved for cheekpieces, following his second at Sedgefield (3m2f, good to soft) with a 3l success at Leicester (2m6f, soft) which was despite a mistake two out; probably still fairly treated off 5lb higher.

11/10

4/1

  • Place: £2.90

Form: P-25F3

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 1lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Placed in two of his four chases this season, more recently when close third of 14 at Catterick (3m1f, good) last month; may not be as well suited by the slower ground here but still features prominently in calculations; sports first-time cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

24th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 4

17:12 Uttoxeter

Scottish King

11st 3lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Richard Armson

Completed his hat-trick over fences at Hexham (3m, soft), albeit in a race that fell apart at the seams; he's been plying his trade in Class 5s and now has to cope with a 9lb rise, but wouldn't put it past him.

7/2

1st

1

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

14:41 Hexham

Scottish King

12st 0lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Richard Armson

Maiden hurdler but he's proving progressive over fences and landed handicaps (around 3m) at Market Rasen and Plumpton recently, showing a likeable attitude on latter occasion; up 2lb but he remains quite lightly raced and merits serious consideration in his hat-trick attempt.

3/1

1st

1

9th Mar 2026

Good

3m 1f 157y

Class 5

16:00 Plumpton

Scottish King

12st 0lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Richard Armson

Consistent since switched to chasing in the autumn and made all to score by 11l at Market Rasen (3m, soft) three weeks ago; should also be suited by this left-handed track and can make another bold bid.

2/1

Form: 33-873

Last run: 34 days

W: 10st 13lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Placed off reduced mark at Musselburgh (2m4f, good to soft) last month and another 1lb lower today but has modest 1-25 career strike-rate and his stamina for this trip is not copper-bottomed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 133y

Class 5

15:40 Kelso

Nights In Venice

11st 1lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Donald Whillans

Capitalised on a career-low mark to win at Ayr (3m, soft) four weeks ago; he's also effective on good to soft ground and a 4lb rise won't necessarily beat him, but he's inconsistent and has a good record at Ayr, so it's questionable whether he'll produce another good performance today.

9/2

1st

4

6th Mar 2026

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 5

16:53 Ayr

Nights In Venice

11st 4lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Donald Whillans

Course winner who comes here in decent nick, though he finished tired when second of seven in 3m2f Kelso handicap chase three weeks ago; he can race off a 2lb lower mark here so must still enter calculations.

3/1

Form: 33-U9P

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Now 2lb lower than when winning on chase debut at Kelso (2m7f, good to soft) in October 2024 but not much has gone to plan this season and he looked badly out of sorts at Catterick just after Christmas; cheekpieces added in bid to perk him up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

13th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 5

15:43 Perth

Similar Story

11st 3lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Stuart Coltherd

1-22; has dropped markedly in the weights over the past six months (form figures P5UP03); trainer seems to have his string in better form now, and she did rally from a tough position when modest third at Kelso (3m; good, 22-1) latest; no forlorn hope.

9/1

3rd

8

2nd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 96y

Class 4

16:46 Kelso

Similar Story

10st 9lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Stuart Coltherd

C&D winner who finished third on her final two outings last season and is well treated on that form; however, she's struggled to get competitive on her seven starts this term and has plenty to prove.

14/1

10th

14

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

15:52 Carlisle

Similar Story

10st 2lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Stuart Coltherd

Record of 0-11 since winning on chase debut and looks far from solid on her form this season; well out of the handicap.

40/1

Form: 302516 C

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Led close home to open account in first-time cheekpieces here (2m5f, soft) last month, his fourth start over fences; never really got competitive at Catterick (2m3f, good) three weeks later but could plausibly have untapped potential over this new trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

25th May 2026

Good To Firm

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

13:00 Huntingdon

Uncle Al

10st 9lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Jessica Bedi

Won off 2lb higher at Sedgefield during the winter (2m5f, soft) but nothing since, as the second in March was remote.

7/1

6

14th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 20y

Class 5

16:55 Perth

Uncle Al

10st 6lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Jessica Bedi

Won off this mark in first-time cheekpieces (retained since) at Sedgefield in December but below par on his next three starts and he unseated early at Hexham 12 days ago; needs to get back on track.

25/1

8

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

19:15 Hexham

Uncle Al

10st 11lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Jessica Bedi

Has been a bit disappointing since winning a novice handicap chase off this mark in first-time cheekpieces at Sedgefield in December (2m5f, soft) and has a bit to prove at present.

33/1

OUR TIP

Form: 524-72 C

Last run: 30 days

W: 12st 0lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Gained all five chase wins here (2m3f-2m5f, good to soft/soft); bounced back from low-key seasonal debut when second in higher-grade race here (2m3f, good to soft) last month and remains on a workable mark; big player if stamina holds out on this first venture beyond 3m1f.
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: 70459

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
0-5 over hurdles, having been safely held in both handicaps (2m7f/2m4f); needs to improve for this switch to chasing but has plenty of pointing experience to call upon.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

3rd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 62y

Class 5

14:05 Newcastle

Carrhill

11st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Chris Grant

Runner-up in a 3m point; best rules effort when a weakening fifth of eight over 3m here (11-2; first-time cheekpieces) in December; now 8lb lower, having failed to shine over fences at Sedgefield and Carlisle recently; monitor for the time being.

14/1

6th

9

3rd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 5

16:04 Carlisle

Carrhill

10st 10lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Chris Grant

Point runner-up (seven attempts in that sphere); lightly raced under rules and sent off just 9-2 for recent chase debut at Sedgefield (3m2f, good to soft); however, he was well beaten and needs to be an entirely different proposition in a first-time tongue-tie here.

11/1

8th

6

25th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 59y

Class 5

15:40 Sedgefield

Carrhill

10st 11lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Chris Grant

0-5 over hurdles, having been safely held in both handicaps (2m7f/2m4f); needs to improve for this switch to chasing but has plenty of pointing experience to call upon.

9/1

Form: 88-15P CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 6lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Won over slightly longer trip here (soft) two years ago and rallied well to double chasing tally on seasonal debut at Hexham (3m, good to soft) in November; this inconsistent veteran was well beaten on his last two appearances and cheekpieces didn't appear to help much when tried once last season.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

16:35 Newcastle

Eveque

10st 13lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Jane Walton

Won at Hexham in November (3m, good to soft); very disappointing since; best watched for now.

33/1

Form: 400-UP

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish 9yo who returned from long absence with two non-completions for new stable last month (1m7f/2m3f) and is now 0-10 under rules; tries a new trip here; others have much less to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

7

13th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 5

15:43 Perth

Aill Dubh

10st 6lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Micky Hammond

Ex Irish; took a while to warm to the task for this trainer but he's getting the hang of things now and there was plenty to like about the manner in which he knuckled down to see off Cahier's Den at Newcastle (3m, good to soft) six weeks ago; still lowly weighted despite a token rise; player.

4/1

1st

7

31st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

15:30 Newcastle

Aill Dubh

10st 2lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Micky Hammond

1-7 in Irish points and 0-12 under rules; 12l third of ten in recent C&D handicap (good to soft) was, however, easily his best show in four starts for this yard, so all hope may not be lost.

7/1

3rd

9

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

16:35 Newcastle

Aill Dubh

10st 8lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Micky Hammond

Won a four-runner Irish point in November 2024 (3m, good); yet to complete in three outings for present yard and best watched for now.

33/1

Form: 3P4664

Last run: 51 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
0-24 under all codes; gave fairly good account of himself when fourth over C&D (soft; beaten about 16l) last month but is effectively 4lb higher from further out of the weights today and needs subsequent wind operation to have made a difference.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

25th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

14:41 Hexham

Iturgeon Du Breuil

10st 2lb

J: Lorcan Murtagh

T: Barry Murtagh

Still a maiden and he underwent wind surgery before pulled up in 3m2f Sedgefield handicap chase in January; not one to rely on.

25/1

11

25th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 59y

Class 5

15:40 Sedgefield

Iturgeon Du Breuil

10st 2lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Barry Murtagh

0-24 under all codes; gave fairly good account of himself when fourth over C&D (soft; beaten about 16l) last month but is effectively 4lb higher from further out of the weights today and needs subsequent wind operation to have made a difference.

33/1

6

30th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 7f 91y

Class 5

13:38 Newcastle

Iturgeon Du Breuil

10st 9lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Barry Murtagh

0-19; three good runs over fences at Hexham this season, last time finishing fourth over 3m; may find a couple too good.

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £29.10
Straight Forecast £33.32
Tricast £207.89
Trifecta £226.40

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Tom Creen

The Times:

Delgany Deadline

D Express:

Carrhill

SPOTLIGHT:

Slaney Opera

Daily Mirror:

Scottish King

RP RATINGS:

Nights In Venice

The Star:

Delgany Deadline

Daily Record:

Delgany Deadline

POSTDATA:

Tom Creen

Telegraph:

Tom Creen

The Sun:

Tom Creen