Queen's Royale didn't find anything like the improvement I expected for the switch to faster ground on Saturday, and she faded out of contention in the closing stages. She was given a pretty tender ride from Winston, and she could be one for handicaps next season.
Tomorrow I am interested in one at Sedgefield, and Oak Vintage takes his chance in the closing race at 3.45, a 20f handicap hurdle. This 6yo son of Fruits Of Love has only won one of his 7 career starts under rules, and that win came over course and distance on soft ground in a class 4 novice hurdle here back in March.
He was running a big race, but looked held by the 4/9 fav Ryedale Racer as they approached the 2nd last. However, the fav unseated his rider and Jamie Hamilton kept Oak Vintage up to his work and held on well for a 6L win. He was handed a mark of 112 for that effort, and he was pitched in to a hot class 2 handicap on his next start, again over 20f on soft at Sedgefield.
He was pulled up in that race, and he was found to be lame afterwards so he can be excused that effort. He was put away after that, and reappeared at the start of last month in a 2 runner class 4 race at Kelso (21f gd/fm). He was well beaten in that heat, but he showed a little bit more last time when 4th of 10 in a class 4 handicap, again at Kelso off a mark of 110.
He was beaten almost 30L in that race, but the trip was on the sharp side and he looked as though he would come on again for the outing. The Hamilton yard do well at Sedgefield and they get plenty of winners from limited runners. They are 5/25 here in the last 5 seasons, and they are 2/4 here this year.
Oak Vintage looks sure to benefit from the return to 20f and, as he showed with his win here back in March, he likes the track. he will hopefully be in tip top condition after two runs to blow away the cobwebs, and the handicapper has generously dropped him to a mark of 106.
Quality claimer Jamie Hamilton takes off another handy 3lb, and with showers forecast tonight and tomorrow the ground should be perfect. At odds of 16/1 I think Oak Vintage looks to have plenty in his favour, and he is worthy of each way support in a moderate looking handicap.
STEVOS' SELECTION: 3.45 SEDGEFIELD: OAK VINTAGE E/W 16/1
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