Sedgefield Preview: Vuvuzela can blow away his rivals

Vuvuzela shaped really well last time out and looks weighted to take all the beating in the 2m 6f handicap hurdle at Sedgefield this evening (6.30).

The gelding showed progressive form over hurdles in 2012 when trained by Ferdy Murphy, finishing an excellent three length third of 13 to the now 148-rated African Gold at Wetherby before scoring in good style by 1 1/2 lengths from Tick Tocker over 2m 4f at this venue.

Vuvuzela was then on the sidelines for 517 days before joining Rebecca Menzies, and posted a solid effort on handicap debut for his new handler when third at Hexham off an opening mark of 110.

The eight-year-old then disappointed at Perth, before running a far better race at Wetherby when falling at the last when in third place.

Vuvuzela then got well beaten in a decent contest at Aintree, before running a blinder to finish a staying on 3 1/4 length third to Houston Dynamo over 2m 5f at Southwell nine days ago.

The son of Sir Harry Lewis now gets into this off the same mark of 109, and that gives Vuvuzela every chance at the weights now stepped up further in trip and returned to the scene of his sole career success.

The other bet that appeals on a trappy card is De Chissler in the 2m 1f handicap hurdle (7.30).

The gelding had some decent form in Ireland last year when trained by James Dullea, winning a 17-runner handicap hurdle at Limerick by seven lengths off a mark of 84 before finsing a cracking third of 14 to Westerners Son in a competitive contest at Punchestown under a 6lb penalty.

The form of the latter looks particularly strong as the runner-up Getoutwhenyoucan, who finished 1 1/4 lengths in front of De Chissler, has gone on to win twice since and is now rated 128.

That makes De Chissler, who is now trained by Martin Todhunter, look potentially very well-treated in this weak looking class 5 contest off a mark of 84.

The seven-year-old also ran better than the final finishing position suggests last time out over 2m 2f at Carmel when fifth of 15 to Early Applause, leading two from home until weakening on the long run to the last.