BARON DE MIDLETON is fancied to lord it over his five opponents for the Vickers.Bet Proud To Sponsor British Racing Handicap Chase (1.47) at Sedgefield on Thursday.
The Brian Ellison-trained nine-year-old has two successes over hurdles to his name, but has yet to hit the bullseye in 13 attempts over fences.
But that record includes some near-misses, and the key to Baron De Midleton’s chance this afternoon is the step up to the three-mile, three-furlong trip.
Both my selection’s style of running and his pedigree suggest that a marathon distance of ground will see Nathan Moscrop’s mount in his best light.
And, with a recent pipe-opener over hurdles – his first outing for 201 days – under his belt, Baron De Midleton, who scored over timber at Sedgefield as a novice, can rack up a first victory over the larger obstacles.
At Chelmsford, ANGLE LAND, beaten a short head over course and distance a week ago, gets the vote to net compensation in the Racing Welfare Handicap (6.00).
Robert Cowell’s three-year-old had a tooth-and-nail fight with Ornate in the straight, but it was the David Griffiths-saddled veteran who shaded the verdict at the line.
But the winner has a 4lb penalty here, which gives Angle Land a strong chance of revenge.
