3:40 Sedgefield Tips

Delgany Deadline is unexposed as a chaser, having only run once. He should improve from his first chase at Market Rasen on Boxing Day, when he made late progress into third place.

He has proven capable of tackling long distances, with multiple competitive runs around 3m at Southwell, where he finished in 2nd and 3rd positions. He also placed 2nd over 3m 1f at Catterick. He is currently in excellent form, recently finishing 2nd in a handicap chase at Sedgefield on Boxing Day. Although he may be testing the boundaries of his stamina over this ground and profile, he looks a solid each-way bet.

The market favors recent form in this one, but Nights In Venice is 9 lb lower today than when last running over the trip on soft ground and lost second place due to stamina. Brian Hughes could eke out the extra yards from this mark.

Staying race on good to soft ground. Be amazed if there is good in the surface. A field of eleven lining up, and a fair percentage might struggle to see the three miles and two furlongs out. There is one course-and-distance runner in the line-up. Evegue is not in the best of form. Tom Creen, who has top weight, is a course winner and is stepping up in distance. At eleven years of age, not sure what to expect. Plus, Uncle Al is the other course winner who may offer substance. Similar Story is down to 97, and the mare by Mahler can show potential for a big run, staying on at the business end.

Aill Dubh has his third outing over fences. The horse tries a much longer distance than in his previous two outings, and this can suit. He has won a three-mile point. Aill Dubh recorded a career-best hurdling performance on soft ground at Sligo, and today's going can suit. The horse returned last month after an absence of more than a year and may have needed his two runs for his new stable, as well as time to acclimatise following his move from Ireland. Dropped six pounds in the weights compared to his chasing debut, Aill Dubh has got in here off a low weight, further reduced by the three-pound claim of Alice Stevens, who can do 10-1. Trainer Micky Hammond saddled a winner on Thursday.