An afternoon of six races will unfold at Sedgefield Racecourse on Thursday, 19 February, where runners will face a programme that should reward sharp jumping and staying power, while connections will hope their charges keep just enough in reserve for the circuit’s testing run to the line.
Proceedings will begin with RACE 1 — THE FAIRLIGHT STUDIO NOVICES’ HURDLE (CLASS 4) scheduled for 1:23PM, carrying £10,000 in prize money over 2m 3f 148y. Dunkerque will be partnered by Sean Quinlan, Follow Your Luck will be ridden by Brian Hughes, Fearless Dragon will have Joe Williamson aboard, and Mr Ramoon will be guided by Conor Rabbitt, while another runner will complete the five-horse field in this opening novice contest.
The second contest will be RACE 2 — THE CANINE PREMIER HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 4) at 1:58PM, run for £8,900 across 2m 102y. Glen Road will be ridden by Callum Bewley, Double Digits by Danny McMenamin, Coup de Coeur by Brian Hughes, and One Mill Harbour by Alan Doyle, with one further runner also declared for a contest expected to favour accurate jumping at pace.
Stamina will come into focus in RACE 3 — THE SIGN LEAD HANDICAP HURDLE (CLASS 4) at 2:33PM, offering £7,700 over 3m 2f 171y. Ivane will be partnered by Mr Sam Lee, Dwight K Schrute by Gavin Sheehan, Spike Jones by Mr Sam Burton, and Forged Well by Ryan Mania, alongside additional runners in what should prove one of the afternoon’s strongest staying tests.
Racegoers will then see RACE 4 — THE SEASIDE TRAVEL HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 5) at 3:08PM, staged for £6,150 over 3m 2f 101y. Defence Witness will be guided by Jonathan England, Getaway Glory by Craig Nichol, Ballydangan by Peter Kavanagh, and Community Rebel by Brian Hughes, while another runner will complete the field in a race where consistency over fences will be vital.
The afternoon’s largest field will appear in RACE 5 — THE HAPPY BIRTHDAY BECCA HANDICAP HURDLE (CLASS 5) at 3:43PM, again run for £6,150 over 2m 3f 148y. Thank You Blue will be partnered by Lewis Stones, North Parade by Oscar Palmer, A Mere Bagatelle by Alex Chadwick, and Dearkeithandkaty by Jonjo O’Neill Jr., with several additional runners expected to ensure a competitive handicap contest.
The meeting will conclude with RACE 6 — THE PAXTONS HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 5) at 4:17PM, contested for £6,150 over 2m 5f 62y. Halpha Soleil will be ridden by Joshua Thompson, Too Cool Forshrule by Brian Hughes, Mersey Street by Jonjo O’Neill Jr., and Uncle Al by Conor Rabbitt, while two further runners are set to complete the closing field.
With varied distances and race types across the card, Thursday’s fixture of Sedgefield Race Cards 19 February is expected to offer useful opportunities for developing performers while maintaining competitive action across hurdles and fences as the winter programme continues.
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