BARON DE MIDLETON is fancied to lord it over his five opponents for the Vickers.Bet Proud To Sponsor British Racing Handicap Chase (1.47) at Sedgefield on Thursday.
The Brian Ellison-trained nine-year-old has two successes over hurdles to his name, but has yet to hit the bullseye in 13 attempts over fences.
But that record includes some near-misses, and the key to Baron De Midleton’s chance this afternoon is the step up to the three-mile, three-furlong trip.
Both my selection’s style of running and his pedigree suggest that a marathon distance of ground will see Nathan Moscrop’s mount in his best light.
And, with a recent pipe-opener over hurdles – his first outing for 201 days – under his belt, Baron De Midleton, who scored over timber at Sedgefield as a novice, can rack up a first victory over the larger obstacles.
At Chelmsford, ANGLE LAND, beaten a short head over course and distance a week ago, gets the vote to net compensation in the Racing Welfare Handicap (6.00).
Robert Cowell’s three-year-old had a tooth-and-nail fight with Ornate in the straight, but it was the David Griffiths-saddled veteran who shaded the verdict at the line.
But the winner has a 4lb penalty here, which gives Angle Land a strong chance of revenge.
Thursday racing tips
SEDGEFIELD
12.42 SILKSTONE
1.12 JIPEKAA MACHIN
1.47 BARON DE MIDLETON (NAP)
2.20 ROCCO STORM
2.55 THERMUSA
3.35 HALF SHOT
4.05 BOOMTIME BANKER
NEWBURY
12.50 HERBIERS
1.20 BOOM BOOM
1.55 HUELGOAT
2.30 SHE’S A SAINT
3.05 DIDTHEYLEAVEUOUTTO
3.42 BARTON KNOLL
4.12 IOLAOS DU MOU
LUDLOW
1.30 POETIC MUSIC
2.05 ARDBRACCAN
2.40 BRAVEHEART
3.14 SNIPE
3.49 TOPOFTHECOTSWOLDS
4.19 CHIVES
CHELMSFORD
2.25 MISTER X
3.00 CLIPSHAM LA HABANA
3.30 HIGHER LAW
4.00 EPIC EXPRESS
4.30 SHADES OF SUMMER
5.00 STARJIK
5.30 MIMOSET
6.00 ANGLE LAND (NB)
6.30 BALGAIR
