2.05pm Sedgefield Tips & Betting Preview 02/11/2017

A small field staying novices’ handicap chase for a prize of £6,498. Read on for expert analysis and betting tips.

IN SUMMARY: AN LAOCH did nothing wrong on chasing debut where he finished a very creditable second having looked like the winner two out, with that experience under his belt he should go close off bottom weight. He may be chased home by top weight Court King who is the only winner over fences in this field.

1 COURT KING – The top rated of these over fences having won two of his four starts and placed in another, hasn’t run badly in defeat the last couple of times and will get the trip with no problems. Still lightly raced in this sphere and open to further improvement; solid.

2 QUIETLY – The Sue Smith yard has had a few winners of late and has another decent chance with this chasing debutant. His hurdles form reads quite well in this context as he was placed behind the useful Baden, may get his head in front for the first time here.

3 THE HAPPY CHAPPY – Powered away in the closing stages of a 3m 1f handicap hurdle at Huntingdon two starts ago to win by six lengths and followed that up with an excellent second on chasing debut. This mark isn’t too harsh and he is an obvious contender.

4 AN LAOCH – Won his point-to-point at the fourth attempt and finished a pleasing second on chase debut so the bigger obstacles aren’t a problem and he has scope for further progress off a mark of 110 which sees him receive weight from the whole field. Should go well, with the extra distance a positive.