Sedgefield Preview: Dean’s Walk can stroll to success

Dean’s Walk shaped with bags of promise on hurdling debut and looks the answer to the 2m 4f contest that opens proceedings on today’s card at Sedgefield (1.00).

The John Wade trained gelding showed plenty of ability when placed in four bumper runs before posting an eye-catching effort on his first start over the obstacles when fourth of nine to Anikname over 2m 1f at Hexham last month.

The six-year-old raced with plenty of zest at the head of affairs before getting headed three from home and being unable to quicken approaching the last.

Jockey Brian Hughes then accepted the situation and allowed Dean’s Walk to come home in his own time to be beaten nine lengths.

The form has a strong look to it as winner is a useful sort who had previously run in a Grade 1 bumper won by the very smart Shaneshill, and the runner-up It’s High Time is held in high regard by trainer Lucinda Russell.

It was an effort which also suggested that the step up in trip to today’s 2m 4f would suit Dean’s Walk, and with the prospect of further improvement looking assured he looks decent value to open his account over hurdles at the second time of asking.

In the 2m 1f handicap hurdle (2.30), Getabuzz looks a big price given his record at the track.

The Tim Easterby trained gelding is unbeaten in two runs at the venue over 2m 4f, and in the last of those successes beat Hit The Top by 4 1/2 lengths off a mark of 125 in a class 2 novices’ handicap hurdle.
The seven-year-old was put up to 132 for that success, and has subsequently failed to trouble the judge in five starts.

However, Getabuzz’s mark has fallen as a result and he now gets into this class 3 contest off 126.

That is just 1lb higher than when last successful and gives the son of Beat Hollow major claims from a handicapping perspective on the pick of his form.

The one concern is that Getabuzz is yet to win over today’s 2m 1f trip, but the front-running Izzini should ensure a decent gallop and combined with the soft ground that could well turn it into a stamina test that will suit the selection.