Sedgefield Preview: Monita Bonita and Scu a deadly duo

Monita Bonita looks to have been found a glorious opportunity to get back to winning ways in the 2m 4f handicap hurdle at Sedgefield today (3.45).

The Tim Easterby trained mare stepped up markedly on previous hurdling exploits when landing a gamble in facile fashion over 2m 6f at Cartmel two starts back.

The five-year-old was held-up in the last pair by jockey Tom Scudamore before making smooth headway to take up the running two from home and shooting clear to win easing down by 10 lengths despite clouting the last.

Monita Bonita was then far too keen in an amateur riders’ contest at Perth last time out and didn’t get home over the extended 3m trip, and was subsequently disqualified after the race as her rider lost his weight cloth.

The daughter of King’s Theatre can easily be forgiven that effort, and the drop back to 2m 4f this afternoon looks sure to suit.

Judged on her win at Cartmel, Monita Bonita looks very well-treated off just 5lb higher and another plus is that she is now reunited with Scudamore.

He is a rarely used by the stable, just four rides in the last 14 years, but has been successful on two of those.

In the 2m 1f handicap hurdle (4.50), Claude Carter can take advantge of a drop in the weights to score an overdue success.

The Alistair Whillans trained gelding is on a long losing run having not scored since landing a class 4 contest at Market Rasen back in in September 2012 off a mark of 107.

Howver, the 10-year-old has run a number of solid races to make the frame and is now able to race off a rating of just 92.

That is a huge 15lb lower than when last successful and gives Claude Carter outstanding claims on the pick of his form.

Claude Carter has also won over course and distance, and comes into the contest on the back of two solid efforts.

In the first of those over course and distance, Claude Carter was on the heels of the leaders and held every chance when running out at the last.