It was an eye catching hurdle debut for BRIDGE NORTH last time at Ludlow and I have a feeling he won't be missed today at Sedgefield. Henry Daly rarely sends them this far north so it is a big indication of what he thinks of his chance today. As a typical Trevor Hemmings owned horse I expect this lad to come into his own over fences but he definitely shaped with an abundance of promise last time out, staying on from an unpromising position and that experience would have done him the world of good. This stiff track will bring out further improvement and I can see a big run incoming.
Down at Exeter I like the look of L'HOMME PRESSE for the in form Venetia Williams yard. I have a gut feeling that this horse will be much better than a mark of 128 come the end of the season and I hope his rise up the handicap ranks can start today. His British debut was very taking as he easily powered away from a decent yard stick to record a facile success. His second run was slightly below that and could probably be blamed on the short break and him still presumably acclimatising to his new climate. With a full summer on his back I suspect Venetia has a much better horse to go to war with this winter and I think it's interesting she puts him straight into a handicap, hopefully wanting to capitalise on a lenient mark.
Sedgefield 2.15 – Bridge North
Exeter 2.40 – L'homme Presse
