1.05 Sedgefield Tips & Betting Preview 02/12/2016

This 01-105 Handicap Chase should be a slog in the mud with the winner earning £4,549. Read on for our experts’ thoughts and betting tips.

IN SUMMARY: What A Game has been running well all year and go close if getting the trip under a red-hot Brian Hughes. ON THE ROAD has been in fabulous form winning in last four races and has shown no ill effects of his wind-op in the Summer with two comeback runs already this term. He tries Fences and a new trip today but if seeing out should complete the five-timer for a yard going really well at present. Darsi Dancer should run well at a price given he is the only one in the line-up who has run at this trip.

1 Ashford Wood – Won at Uttoxeter in March last year and lightly-raced since. Two comeback runs this term hasn’t seen him in the best light having pulled up at Southwell before an eighth of 10 at Chepstow. Decent Hurdler at one point but his runs over Fences leave something to be desire. Wears a visor again today and hard to fancy.

2 On The Road – Four wins over Hurdles from his last four runs. Has progressed really well this year with wide-margin wins at both Exeter and Taunton before getting up to score at Fontwell and Exeter last month. Makes Chase debut today and had even though he had a breathing op between those four wins, looks to be enjoying his racing at the moment and should be tough to beat if translating his Hurdling form.

3 Darsi Dancer – Won over 3m3f in a Handicap Hurdle at Sedgefield last October and only one win since at Hexham in June, getting up to win by a head from the favourite. Woeful when last seen at Perth in July when only seventh of 12. His Chasing form is slightly in-and-out and he can get in the shake-up if putting his best foot forward and one to watch in the market.

4 What A Game – Won at Cartmel in May by 2 ¼ lengths and has run well in defeat in five runs since. Makes his Chasing debut today and tries the trip for the first time. Player if the market speaks in his favour with Brian Hughes up who couldn’t be riding any better.

5 Cabragh – Has won a Point in Ireland but hasn’t really fared well in four runs since joining this yard. Makes Chase/Handicap debut today and up against it in this line-up.

6 Vinny Gambini – Back-to-back wins at Kelso and Carlisle 3 years ago but largely disappointing since then. Very laboured effort when only sixth of 11 at Wetherby last time out. Has cheek-pieces back on and will no doubt struggle at this trip.

7 Major Ridge – Makes his seasonal debut over Fences for Micky Hammond having previously been with Robert Bewley. Remains lightly-raced and probably best watched for now given how far he was beaten on his last start at Hexham.