It’s a decade since Gavin Sheehan first had a ride in the U.K having taken out a license in Ireland in 2009. Riding over hurdles at Lingfield has been a ridiculously successful part of that career, a record of 14/29 over flights. That is a strike rate of 48% for a level stakes profit of +£24.79.
Sheehan heads to the track on Sunday for three rides but only one of those is over hurdles so will be the one we concentrate on. It looks a decent day of action there as well as at Carlisle, Huntingdon, Naas and Cork on our free horse racing tips.
Kickaftersix is Sheehan’s sole ride in a hurdle, a debutant over obstacles, he ran to a solid RPR of 111 in both starts in bumpers. The step up in trip on this first venture over obstacles looks a smart move having stayed on steadily in that pair of efforts so far.
His return to action came at Worcester in a bumper that looks a decent one for the time of year. The winner of that race has finished runner-up to Three Stripe Life in his sole run in Ireland which is strong form. The second made our notebook feature in the opening week, so third looks decent form.
A half-brother to the 118 rated Wagner who is a winner over both hurdles and fences at 2m2f and 2m4f, his dam is also a winner over hurdles. It all points to a step up on what is in the book now that he goes over obstacles himself. He will get plenty of assistance in the saddle with no-one better to be riding him at Lingfield than Gavin Sheehan.
If you back any of our selections you can watch them live on the free Racing Post app or racingpost.com. Simply log in to one of your bookmaker accounts and click ‘Watch live’ on the racecards.