A competitive handicap over the minumum distance in which most of the runners have a chance. It makes most sense to start with forecast favourite Professor Higgins, who shed his maiden tag last time out with an easy win. His task at Sedgefield was made easier after favourite Beherayn ran out early on in the contest and left Professor Higgins 12 lengths clear. He was left unchallenged and sauntered home in good style. Previously, winning was difficult as he seemed to find one too good. Before the afforementioned win, the six-year-old had reached the placings a staggering seven times, so now being placed in his first handicap and with just four chase starts behind him, confidence must be high. Adding to the mixture is the form of trainer Howard Johnson and jockey Denis O'Regan, who racked up an impressive four-timer at Hexham yesterday. With the ground in his favour and the trip looking ideal, Professor Higgins has sound claims of making it back-to-back wins.
High Bird Humphrey has been in good form lately, beating Professor Higgins two starts back by a nose, but he is now 7lbs worse off with the winner. Early on in the season, he was highly tried over fences as he was beaten a long way at Cheltenham in November by subsequent Arkle favourite Tatenen. Since then the handicapper has given him a fair mark and he has a good chance of continuing his recent run. He is also another horse who much prefers quicker ground and this big horse may give the favourite most to think about.
Cantgeton, hailing from the Peter Monteith stable, has a reasonable chance based on his recent performances. He is exposed in terms of distance but he has plenty of experience and should play a hand in the finish if he jumps efficiently. His handicap mark has dropped considerably after some poor performances during the autumn, albeit on ground softer than ideal. On quicker ground and off a decent mark of 110, Timmy Murphy's mount will give it his best shot.
Below the main market principles, Seeyaaj, Miss Pross, Schinken Otto and Justwhateverulike have the ability to cause an upset. Schinken Otto is an interesting runner for Malcolm Jefferson and Phil Kinsella. He has been running on the all-weather during the winter and is a five-time winner over fences, all gained on fast ground. Seeyaaj is a course and distance winner who will appreciate the good ground but looks a tad too high in the weights, whereas Miss Pross has been out of sorts since winning in January last year and has a point to prove. Justwhateveryoulike has done all of his winning at Sedgefield and Hexham and looks up against it.
Selections: 1st - Professor Higgins, 2nd - High Bird Humphrey, 3rd - Schinken Otto.
Result: 1st - Professor Higgins, 11/10 fav, 2nd High Bird Humphrey, 4/1, 3rd Justwhateverulike, 8/1.
Professor Higgins produced a very taking performance, even though his chance was strengthened after the withdrawals of market rival Cantgeton and Seeyaaj. Always sat behind the pace, he jumped supremely well throughout the race and it was obvious from two out he was the one to be on. High Bird Humphrey stole three lengths rounding the final bend but Denis O'Regan was exuding confidence on the favourite and he breezed past the runner-up to win unextended by four lengths. Professor Higgins looks one to follow now he is in the winning groove and could run up a sequence in handicap company if placed adeptly by his trainer. The first two were 12 lengths clear of third Justwhateverulike who ran well back in third but never made a serious challenge. Miss Pross made steady headway from over halfway but failed to go with the leaders. Schinken Otto was fairly weak in the market and even though he raced prominantly for most of the contest, he failed to see out the trip and needs to improve.
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