The predicted going for Sedgefield on Tuesday is good, and they are watering to maintain.
Foster'sisland is first up in the 2.05.pm, a 0-115 handicap hurdle over the extended two miles, where he will be partnered for the first time by the champion jockey Brian Hughes. Foster'sisland took advantage of a very lenient handicap mark when winning back to back races in the space of five days back in February. From a revised mark of 18lb higher he was a creditable third on his latest start at Carlisle, but he didn't appear to have the run of the race that day, and the suspicion is that he could still be a little ahead of the handicapper.
High Noon makes his fifth start of the season at 2.40.pm, in the 0-120 handicap chase, over two miles an three furlongs, with Becky Smith riding him for the first time. High Noon ran well at Fontwell in February suggesting that his turn wasn't far away, but on his next start at Market Rasen he possibly found the trip stretching his stamina. He was back at Market Rasen again 16 days ago, but the drop back to two miles didn't suit. This distance of two miles and three furlongs is probably his ideal, and his mark of 97 is also a big help.
We run two in the 3.10.pm, a 0-100 handicap hurdle over two miles and five furlongs. Rockliffe has been struggling for form over jumps recently, hence his mark has dropped to 77. He had a spin on the flat at Redcar 15 days ago, running on well at the finish, over two miles to be beaten four and a half lengths, If he can transfer that form to the jumps he will be competitive on ground which will suit, Becky Smith rides him for the first time in almost exactly two years.
We are also represented in the race by Kildrum who was second, beaten by nine lengths at this track, over an extra two furlongs 33 days ago. But for a bad blunder at the last he would have been considerably closer, and the handicapper has left him on the same mark. Kildrum had form in Ireland, in point to points before joining us, but is untested on a faster surface, Connor O'Farrell rides him for the first time.
Our other two runners both go in the second Division of the 0-100 handicap hurdle at 3.45.pm. Kisumu is still looking for his first career win, having gone close under both codes on occasions. This will be the longest trip he has tackled over jumps, but he can get two and a half miles well. The better ground will not be an inconvenience, and Connor O'Farrell will be his partner for the first time.
Excalibur also steps up in trip from his recent runs. He was third, staying on at one pace at Kelso in October 2019, over two miles and six furlongs when last attempting a trip in excess of two and a half miles.He has raced on five occasions so far this season, showing his best form last time out at Newcastle when finishing a seven lengths fourth. He is now 1lb below his last winning mark, but he wouldn't want the ground to get any faster, Alain Cawley retains the ride.
Good luck to the connection, The Oakwood Nobels, Nick Pietrzyk And Partner, RM&T, S Toomes, J Hill & Partners, T M Clarke, Tasker-Brown & Partners, and Ursa Major And Partners.