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Sedgefield form looks good enough for opener
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Drop in class the angle with Pauling hurdler
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Alan's two Monday selections are 2/13.00 and 9/43.25
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Hokelami is one of two with last-time-out winning form and any soft in the conditions at Huntingdon on Monday will suit the horse in a bid for a back-up win.
He can boast from at Sedgefield, and I like Sedgefield form to carry over and he appreciated the drop down in distance last time to win off 92.
That was a personal best and he's not in deep here, especially with his main market rival Ensel Du Perche coming back after a lay-off and Ingennio isn't exactly a win machine.
A win earlier in the season at Market Rasen saw him jump in a better fashion and it seems it has clicked with him, and doesn't mind a sharp track at all.
My colleague Daryl Carter fancies Samuel Spade today in the finale, and I am in full agreement with DC and he's got a good chance today.
The big angle is the drop in class. He was last seen at Kempton but his jumping went to pieces there and was beaten in the Lanzarote and the finishing margin masked a better run.
He dotted up at Taunton in December with a performance of authority, and it was good to see that as he had talent as a juvenile hurdler and the third at Taunton subsequently scored by 16L.
The selection has winning form at Huntingdon and clearly likes a sharp track and a bit of decent ground will go a long way for an improved performance today.