Sedgefield - October 2

Not a great deal to write home about on what was a typical early season/end of summer card.

Everything looked well in the first although Getonsam is a big rangy animal carrying condition on his first start for Sue Smith; it was surprising he was so tight in the market.

The novice hurdle was interesting as the Irish raider Thosedaysaregone looked a good thing to these eyes, and nice well-made animal who showed a fair level of form on his latest start at Listowel.

The lively ground was the only question mark but he's a decent mover and it's entirely possible he was brought over in search of such terrain. His mid-race exit owing to tack malfunction will have left billy bunters spitting feathers, however one suspects the cash is only lent.

Sonic was handed the race and the little fella probably didn't need to improve a great deal, while life will prove more difficult now after this second success. Icefall proved himself tripless and disappointing and was passed on the run-in by Ballyfarsoon, who only looks moderate.

I preferred Caid Du Lin to Dear Sire in the novice chase, not only physically but on their previous exchange, but this was a masterstroke from Hughes, who reversed the roles from their Worcester run by allowing his rival to do the donkey work.

Caid Du Lin looked in need of company throughout and didn't have an answer as Dear Sire swept past. I must say I'd go against the winner if they met again as the jolly will almost certainly be better in a fast run race.

In the next Mixboy was of interest back over timber off a much lower mark than his chase rating. He's an amazing tool as he's not very big, but they went over larger obstacle early in his career and he keeps on delivering.

They went a good clip from the outset and he knuckled down really well to see off Beach Break and then Lucky Robin, who remains on an upward curve. This looks solid form for the grade and time of year.

Oak Vintage took a walk in the market ahead of a puzzling handicap chase but it wasn't on account of a lack of fitness; always an active sort he probably keeps himself fit at home and really the question was whether he could win off a new perch of 119 after starting out 12 months ago on 79! (Yes, I was on when it got beat a short head that day)

The answer was a resounding yes although the opposition melted away pretty early on, and the handicapper is not going to make life easy now - and well he mightn't as this was win No 6 inside a year.

Nicolas Chauvin went better than is often the case but patently failed to get home on this rare foray beyond 2m, while Brave Spartacus should have gone better off his lowest mark for some while and Father Time is catching up fast.

There was only a bumper left and as so often the case the market sorted them out with only the front three coming in for support. C'Est Le Bonheur is a late starter for Dr Newland but he was forward and knew enough on debut to get it done.

The runner-up Emma Lamb is from a sound family and she looks a decent animal with size and scope; a mare's race should be routine for her. Goldencard was disappointing again off the bridle, he's an okay sort but looks paceless and should now have his sight set towards a hurdles campaign.

Rafferty again looked very leggy and although I'm not a trainer it's a surprise he hasn't been given more time to fill his frame.