Today’s Horse Racing Tip – 2:00 Sedgefield

Today’s free horse racing tip runs in the opening race at Sedgefield. Nine runners were declared for the Betfred “Treble Odds On Lucky15’s” Handicap Hurdle which comes under orders at 2.00pm.

This is an open looking contest over two miles and one furlong at the County Durham track but we like to look of Victor Thompson-trained Pc Dixon who has performed consistently well in seven races this year.

The five-year-old won over two miles at Hexham on 15 March and didn’t look troubled by a rise in weights when following up with a solid second at Carlisle 10 days later. The gelding will have to be on his game today but there’s no reason to suggest Thompson’s hurdler has gone over the top just yet.

Hardrock Davis is making his handicap debut for trainer Keith Dalgleish. The seven-year-old seems to have benefited from the recent change of stable, running prominently until tiring in the latter stages of his maiden at Carlisle in January. He could be a danger if improving for the run.

Princess Mononoke won a conditions race over the course and distance in January and should enjoy similar conditions today. However the mare has not been able to build on that run in two outings since which suggests the handicapper has got her measure.

Strait Run is expected to give a good account of himself after losing his maiden tag, rather surprisingly, over this course and distance in February. The seven-year-old followed up with a close third at Carlisle where he was only beaten by a head by today’s racing tip.

Ali Stronge is represented by Booborowie who has some fair form on the flat. The five-year-old was well beaten in his three starts over hurdles and it will be interesting to see how he fares in his first handicap. The betting market might give a better indication of his chances than the bare form.

Roman Numeral was dropped to selling hurdles after a chasing campaign last year. He finished second of 12 at Carlisle in December which would make him competitive here. But, he’s been off the course for two and a half months and may be in need of the run.

Completing the lineup will be Buddari, who appears to be off an onerous mark at present while Ivors Involvement and Fighting Back have shown nothing of promise in their attempts at hurdling to date.

The going at Sedgefield is heavy and the weather forecast for today is cloudy with a light south-westerly wind.

This is a competitive event for the grade. Strait Run is better off in the weights since narrowly beaten by our tip but Pc Dixon has clearly progressed since that run and is taken to win today.