THREE AT SEDGEFIELD, AND ONE TO KEMPTON ON WEDNESDAY.

The size of the fields at Sedgefield on Wednesday have stood up well considering the predicted good ground, but the course are watering, we also have a runner at Kempton where the surface is riding standard to slow.

First up at Sedgefield at 1.37.pm, in the extended two miles maiden hurdle is Royle Steel who has his third racecourse start with Alain Cawley retaining the ride. Royle Steel made a promising start in bumper company last November when finishing a 14 and a half lengths fifth, but on his other start when making his hurdles debut at Wetherby 33 days ago, he was too keen and paid the price by weakening from three out. The key will be to get him to settle better.

Late Date returned to form at Catterick 39 days ago when from an all time low mark of 80 he won for the fifth time, for which he has been given a 5lb hike in the weights. In his younger days Late Date used to love Sedgefield, and is the winner of three chases there all on a softer surface. Any softening of the ground would help but he was the winner of a hurdle race on good going at Perth back in April 2017. The race is at 2.07.pm, a 0-100 handicap hurdle over the extreme distance of three miles and three furlongs which will suit, Jack Hogan retains the ride.

Since arriving from France in the autumn of last year Balkotic has yet to get competitive in two starts. He was the winner of a flat race in France at Craon over two miles in September 2020, and in six starts over hurdles in France he managed to finish third on two occasions. He will go to post for the 3.37.pm, a 0-105 handicap hurdle over the extended two miles and three furlongs, with Alain Cawley in the saddle for the first time.

The Resdev Way makes the long trip down to Kempton for the 8.0.pm, a 0-60 handicap over two miles, with Robert Havlin riding him for the first time. The Resdev Way won an Amateur Riders event over an inadequate 13 furlongs last time at Lingfield, with the advantage in that type of race of having Becky Smith in the saddle, for which he has been raised 2lb. He remains on a good mark in his attempt to make it win number 11 in his career.

To keep up to date with all the latest happenings at Oakwood Stables, Sharp Hill, and Curlew, click on 'NEWS' at www.mickyhammondracing.

Good luck to the connections, A E Tasker, County Set Six & Partner, Raypasha, and Resdev.