Sedgefield race for the fourth time this season on Wednesday, where the rain has finally arrived, and there is ease in the going, with it being described as good, good to soft in places.
The ultra consistent, and still improving Stormin Norman makes his hurdles debut under Becky Smith in the two miles maiden hurdle at 1.15.pm.He has won his first two starts on the flat this season, with Becky cleverly bringing him up the stand side, on the better ground at Catterick last time. That was a fifth win in a 13 race career to date, which includes a bumper win in April 2019 at Market Rasen. There is no reason to think that Stormin Norman wont be at least as effective over jumps, as he is on the flat, and he should continue to give 'The Monday Club' plenty of fun.
Swinton Diamond was entitled to need his first run back at Southwell when pulling up in early August,his first run in 22 months following injury. He never had a chance to build on that when falling at the second fence next time at Hexham, putting Emma Smith-Chaston on the sidelines for a while, meaning Billy Garritty takes over in the 2.54.pm race. Swinton Diamond is more than capable off this current mark of 94, having won a chase at Carlisle from that rating in 2018, and a hurdle race off 92 in 2017. With a clear round, Swinton Diamond should take another step to full race fitness.
Late Date is fast becoming a course specialist at Sedgefield, where he has won three of his six starts. He is now back on his last winning mark of 102 when winning over course and distance last November, on similar ground.He made a very pleasing reappearance at Perth two weeks ago, not weakening until the run in, that race will have put him straight, the race is at 4.0.pm, and Billy Garritty once again stands in for the injured Alain Cawley.
Our final runner is in the 4.35.pm when Percy B Shelley runs in the extended two miles handicap hurdle. A year ago,when trained in Ireland he was running well under both codes, winning on the flat, and placing over hurdles. He looked on a stiff enough mark when joining us, and after four runs the handicapper is relenting, and on ground that will suit, we hope to see a bit more from him, Becky Smith will take a further 3lb off his back.