Sedgefield 2:00 Result

Small three-runner field, so the emphasis is on recent form and fitness. Fairlawn Skipper's form string -901U1 shows he's won recently and is in good heart, ran just 7 days ago so is fresh and race-fit, and carries the highest OR (108) of the pair not named Paddy De Pole while actually being the type in-form. Paddy De Pole has the big Nicholls name and top OR (115) but his form P14-24 is patchy with a pulled-up run and he's had 50 days off - questionable fitness/consistency, and first-time tricky headgear (p) adds a slight query. Parikarma's mare form 327231 is progressive and consistent (won last time), but she concedes significant weight off a lower OR (102) and steps up in experience against these; she's the most consistent traffic-wise and could easily go close, but Fairlawn Skipper's recent scorching form and manageable weight make him the one to beat. In a tiny field like this, recent winning form and being fresh from a run counts for a lot, and I make Fairlawn Skipper narrowly the best e/w or straight win bet given his figures are competitive with the favourite and his profile suggests he's on a definite upward curve.