2 Pts @ 14/1

SEDGEFELD 4.50 ... DAY OF CLAIES @ 14/1 S.James 12/1 (circa)

Today's weather at Sedgefield has bright morning sunshine which should help brighten our day. The drying ground should suit the selection having ran his last two on soft/heavy.

Dark Gentleman ran a good 2nd off this mark over hurdles here 16 month back, and if taking to the larger obstacles could figure, but in his 1st chase is off top weight and yet to win a race of any description.

Pistol Basc appears to have improved last few runs but was beaten around 10 lengths off 1lb lower when ran here last season.
He is now 3lb higher when winning last run back in November, and a line through Deuteronomy who he just got the better of, would bring Day Of Claies closer into the reckoning.

Day Of Claies only having 2nd start in this grade and is now 7lb lower when 1.75 length behind Deuteronomy on his penultimate run, where the winner won off 8lb higher next outing.
Last time out at Southwell (P/U on soft/heavy) in a contest confined to Conditional Jockeys' the 21 length winner of that contest also won next start, and the 2nd 'Noble Bily' just won the Kent National on Wednesday gone.
Phil Kinsella now back in the saddle, a regular pilot on this gelding with 2 wins from 9 rides and was aboard here on similar going when beating Howard Johnson's Akilak on only 2nd outing for the yard back in 2006.
Only had 3 runs that year and won 1 from 4 in 2007 before missing 2008.
Those wins were when rated 30lb higher than today, and blinkers back on (won when 1st tried in them for Nigel Twiston-Davies) after cheek pieces last time out on Soft/Heavy ground.
This better going should help, and with 2 wins from 12 chases at the distance has one of the better strike rate's in the field and is back at a course he has gone well at his 3 previous runs here.
This undulating track and tight turns also seems to suit Whatcanyasay who also runs well here with 4 wins from 19 outings and could be chasing home the selection for the minors.
Priced for an E/W return if frugal, but will account it as a 2Pt Win wager.

DAY OF CLAIES 2Pt @ 14/1

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