This response outlines the Sedgefield races in chronological order, identifying the TimeWise Master Top Two rated horses, summarising their recent form and comments, including the Spotlight Verdict, providing relevant race statistics, and assessing the chances of the top two contenders.

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12.10 VickersBet Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 5)

TimeWise Master Top Two Rated (Total TimeWise Rating)

1. Benefit Ben (7yo, 12-0)
2. Zenato (4yo, 11-12t)

Recent Form and Comments

• Benefit Ben: Won here (2m4f, good to soft) in February and followed up at Kelso (2m5f, good) in May, which was his last run. He returns over a shorter trip and runs without headgear. His trainer (A Nicol) is noted as being among the winners.
• Zenato: He won a maiden hurdle at Fakenham (2m, good) in April. He returned to form last month to win at Stratford (2m, good) under Fern O’Brien. He is up 4lb for that performance and has proven form on soft ground on the Flat.

Spotlight Verdict
The saddle slipped when Dexter was pulled up at Bangor last week but he has otherwise been in good form over fences this season and is taken to make a winning return to hurdles. Zenato is feared most on the back of his win at Stratford, while Benefit Ben returns minus headgear over a shorter trip than ideal, but could still be involved.

Race Statistics

• Age Groups (Winners-Placed-Runners): 4yo 0-1-11, 5yo 1-4-18, 6yo 3-5-12, 7yo 3-3-19, 8yo 1-2-13, 9yo 0-1-3, 11yo 0-0-1, 13yo 0-0-1, 14yo 0-0-1.
• Fate of Favourites: 14315121.
• Trainer Records (W-P-R): Micky Hammond 0-2-9, Sam England 0-2-2. Adam Nicol (Benefit Ben’s trainer) has a 25% strike rate in the last 14 days. Fergal O’Brien (Zenato’s trainer) has a 17% strike rate in the last 14 days.

Assessment of the Top Two

• Benefit Ben (Strengths/Suitability): He is a previous course winner who comes from a winning yard. He is entitled to respect.
• Benefit Ben (Weaknesses): He returns over a shorter trip than his recent wins and is running without headgear, suggesting he may be one for another day.
• Zenato (Strengths/Suitability): He is considered a major player, having returned to winning form recently. He should be highly competitive and is the main threat according to the Spotlight Verdict.
• Zenato (Weaknesses): He carries a 4lb rise for his recent win.

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12.45 Join Rebecca Menzies Racing Club Today Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 4)

TimeWise Master Top Two Rated (Total TimeWise Rating)

1. Swingingonthesteel (5yo, 11-4)
2. Noble George (5yo, 11-4)

Recent Form and Comments

• Swingingonthesteel: This soft-ground point-to-point bumper winner completed a bumper double, which included a win here (2m1f, good) in April. He brings potential to his first hurdle start.
• Noble George: He was runner-up in his first two bumpers last winter (2m1f, soft). His last run saw him finish fifth of seven at Doncaster (2m, good). He is a half-brother to three hurdle winners and is not ruled out on his return.

Spotlight Verdict
Having completed a bumper double when winning here in April, SWINGINGONTHESTEEL earns the vote on this hurdle debut. Second choice is two-time bumper runner-up Noble George.

Race Statistics

• Age Groups (Winners-Placed-Runners): 4yo 0-2-16, 5yo 0-2-4, 6yo 2-0-4.
• Fate of Favourites: 52.
• Trainer Records (W-P-R): Jennie Candlish 1-1-2, Rebecca Menzies 0-1-2. Rebecca Menzies (Swingingonthesteel’s trainer) has an 80% run-to-form percentage in the last 14 days.

Assessment of the Top Two

• Swingingonthesteel (Strengths/Suitability): He is top-rated and backed by the Spotlight Verdict. He is proven over the course and distance (bumper win) and possesses jumping potential.
• Noble George (Strengths/Suitability): He has solid placed form in bumpers and his pedigree suggests suitability for hurdling (half-brother to three hurdle winners).
• Noble George (Weaknesses): He is having his first run since March.

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1.20 George Reveley Handicap Chase (Class 5)

TimeWise Master Top Two Rated (Total TimeWise Rating)

1. Get A Superstar (7yo, 11-6p)
2. Largy Train (8yo, 11-13p)

Recent Form and Comments

• Get A Superstar: On his chase debut two starts ago, he finished third at Catterick (2m3f, good). However, he was well beaten in his last run in January, jumping to the right throughout. This is his first run since January (288 days off).
• Largy Train: He won three races consecutively over 2m5f/2m4f on soft/heavy ground in early 2024, including over C&D. He ran well for a fair way in his sole run last season at Carlisle. He returns after a lengthy absence.

Spotlight Verdict
The mare Prized Jet was clear when falling four out over C&D last month and can confirm the suspicion she’s well treated off her current mark. Largy Train returns from some more time off but with the drop back in trip in his favour and he is feared most ahead of Imperial Rule, who also retains potential. The unexposed Diamond Trilogy is an interesting chasing newcomer.

Race Statistics

• Age Groups (Winners-Placed-Runners): 5yo 0-0-2, 7yo 1-0-3, 8yo 0-0-1, 9yo 0-0-1, 10yo 0-1-2, 11yo 0-1-2.
• Fate of Favourites: No consistent trend provided.
• Trainer Records (W-P-R): No specific data provided for this race.

Assessment of the Top Two

• Get A Superstar (Strengths/Suitability): Top-rated. He showed promise on his chase debut.
• Get A Superstar (Weaknesses): He is running at another left-handed track (Sedgefield) after demonstrating a tendency to jump right in his last start at Catterick. He needs to tap back into earlier promise.
• Largy Train (Strengths/Suitability): He is a proven C&D winner and operates well on testing ground. The drop back in trip is viewed as favourable.
• Largy Train (Weaknesses): Returns from an extended break (326 days off).

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1.55 vickers.bet Proud To Support British Racing Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 4)

TimeWise Master Top Two Rated (Total TimeWise Rating)

1. Absolutely Doyen (5yo, 11-9)
2. Lowlands (6yo, 10-9)

Recent Form and Comments

• Absolutely Doyen: After finishing runner-up in two maiden hurdles earlier in the year, he easily won a maiden hurdle at Stratford (2m6f, good) last month on his stable debut for Paul Nicholls.
• Lowlands: She showed promise in bumpers in 2024 and built upon this by finishing fourth on her hurdle debut at Perth (2m4f, good) in September. This form reads pretty well, and further improvement is expected.

Spotlight Verdict
Having got off the mark when upped in trip at Stratford last month, this looks a good opportunity for ABSOLUTELY DOYEN to make it 2-2 for Paul Nicholls. Lowlands may be able to build upon her promising fourth on hurdle debut at Perth and is the obvious danger ahead of The Hawkstonian.

Race Statistics

• Age Groups (Winners-Placed-Runners): 4yo 0-0-2, 5yo 1-1-7, 6yo 1-1-2, 7yo 0-0-1.
• Fate of Favourites: 1F.
• Trainer Records (W-P-R): Paul Nicholls (Absolutely Doyen’s trainer) has a 22% strike rate over the last two years. Nicky Richards (Lowlands’ trainer) has a 27% strike rate in the last 14 days.

Assessment of the Top Two

• Absolutely Doyen (Strengths/Suitability): Leading contender. Won easily when upped in trip on stable debut, confirming his suitability for this distance.
• Absolutely Doyen (Weaknesses): Carries a 7lb penalty.
• Lowlands (Strengths/Suitability): Has promising debut hurdle form and is expected to improve again. She is the obvious danger to the favourite.

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2.30 Racing Supports Graham Lee… Novices’ Handicap Chase (Go North Qual’) (GBB) (Class 4)

TimeWise Master Top Two Rated (Total TimeWise Rating)

1. Fierce Warrior (6yo, 12-1)
2. Whatyouwaitingfor (4yo, 11-3)
   (Note: Groovy Blue is tied for 2nd with Whatyouwaitingfor on the TimeWise rating).

Recent Form and Comments

• Fierce Warrior: Stayed on to win a competitive handicap hurdle at Musselburgh (3m, good to soft) in March. He drops back in trip for this chase debut, running without headgear. His trainer reports he has schooled very well, and he is open to further improvement.
• Whatyouwaitingfor: This consistent 4yo won a maiden hurdle at Newton Abbot (2m2f, good) in August. He makes his chase and handicap debut and receives a handy age allowance.

Spotlight Verdict
Point winner Born In The West was progressive over hurdles last season and there can be optimism he will have improved for his comeback run three weeks ago. He is taken to make a winning chase debut. Fierce Warrior represents Nicky Henderson and could be the chief danger ahead of fellow chasing newcomer Groovy Blue.

Race Statistics

• Age Groups (Winners-Placed-Runners): 4yo 0-1-1, 5yo 0-2-5, 6yo 3-3-18, 7yo 1-0-8, 8yo 0-1-2, 9yo 0-0-2.
• Fate of Favourites: 0224.
• Trainer Records (W-P-R): Ben Pauling 0-1-1, Donald McCain 0-1-3. Nicky Henderson (Fierce Warrior’s trainer) has a 20% strike rate over the last two years. Charlie Longsdon (Whatyouwaitingfor’s trainer) has a 33% strike rate in the last 14 days.

Assessment of the Top Two

• Fierce Warrior (Strengths/Suitability): Highest rated. Trainer (Nicky Henderson) reports excellent schooling ahead of chase debut. Open to improvement. Chief danger according to Spotlight.
• Fierce Warrior (Weaknesses): Drops significantly in trip (from 3m hurdle win).
• Whatyouwaitingfor (Strengths/Suitability): Consistent hurdle form. Receives a handy age allowance. Could play a part on chase debut.
• Whatyouwaitingfor (Weaknesses): Unexposed over fences (debut).

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3.05 Hardwick Hall Hotel Sedgefield Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Div I) (Class 5)

TimeWise Master Top Two Rated (Total TimeWise Rating)

1. Zeezee (6yo, 10-4t)
2. Ruler Of The River (5yo, 10-12tp)

Recent Form and Comments

• Zeezee: Showed encouraging form on her handicap/stable debut at Hexham (2m4f, good). Subsequently finished runner-up at Perth (3m, good). The tongue-tie worn at Hexham is refitted.
• Ruler Of The River: Won on her stable debut at Plumpton (extended 2m4f, good) in September. She faded on her next outing at Market Rasen (2m7f, good) last month.

Spotlight Verdict
This may not take much winning and should be a good opportunity for Perth runner-up ZEEZEE (nap) to get off the mark. Snapaudaciaheros is open to improvement on her second start of the season and could be next best ahead of Ruler Of The River, who won at Plumpton two starts ago.

Race Statistics

• Age Groups (Winners-Placed-Runners): 4yo 0-0-4, 5yo 2-3-18, 6yo 2-5-24, 7yo 1-1-12, 8yo 1-2-9, 10yo 0-0-2.
• Fate of Favourites: 134261.
• Trainer Records (W-P-R): Dianne Sayer 1-1-3, Philip Kirby 0-1-5, Rebecca Menzies 0-1-2.

Assessment of the Top Two

• Zeezee (Strengths/Suitability): Top-rated and selected as the nap. She is a leading contender following recent consistently good form (5th and 2nd).
• Zeezee (Weaknesses): The drop back in trip (from 3m) is not viewed as an obvious plus.
• Ruler Of The River (Strengths/Suitability): A recent winner (September) at Plumpton. She is back down in trip, which should put her back in calculations.
• Ruler Of The River (Weaknesses): Finished behind Snapaudaciaheros in the Spotlight selection order.

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3.40 Hardwick Hall Hotel Sedgefield Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Div II) (Class 5)

TimeWise Master Top Two Rated (Total TimeWise Rating)

1. Keep On Cobbling (5yo, 12-0)
2. Path Of Stars (4yo, 10-5)

Recent Form and Comments

• Keep On Cobbling: Won a 2m maiden hurdle at Stratford (good) in April. Her dam won up to 3m. She is making her handicap debut and is open to further improvement now up in trip.
• Path Of Stars: This 4yo is 0-9 but has finished in the frame on both her handicap outings this autumn (2m1f/2m3f, good). It is possible that today’s longer trip will result in further improvement.

Spotlight Verdict
Topweight KEEP ON COBBLING won a 2m maiden hurdle at Stratford in April when last seen and looks a good prospect for this sort of trip. The unexposed Brionywells is open to further improvement on her second handicap start and is feared most.

Race Statistics

• Age Groups (Winners-Placed-Runners): Shared data with Division I: 4yo 0-0-4, 5yo 2-3-18, 6yo 2-5-24, 7yo 1-1-12, 8yo 1-2-9, 10yo 0-0-2.
• Fate of Favourites: Shared data with Division I: 134261.
• Trainer Records (W-P-R): Henry Daly (Keep On Cobbling’s trainer) has a 0% strike rate in the last 14 days, but a 13% strike rate over the last two years. J W Mullins (Path Of Stars’ trainer) has a 12% strike rate in the last 14 days.

Assessment of the Top Two

• Keep On Cobbling (Strengths/Suitability): Top-rated and selected as the top choice by Spotlight. She is a good prospect for this longer trip due to pedigree (dam stayed 3m). Open to improvement on handicap debut.
• Path Of Stars (Strengths/Suitability): Consistent form recently (making the frame). The longer trip is expected to eke out improvement, suggesting she could be involved.
• Path Of Stars (Weaknesses): Remains a maiden after nine starts (0-9). Spotlight preferred Brionywells as the main danger.