A trainer on Boxing Day is looking to have a winner at Sedgefield over the jumps, sending just one runner to the Durham based track on the day, which sees the handler make a 502 mile round trip.
When we see trainers coming such a long way to just run the one horse we like to highlight it, as we believe they would not be coming all that way if it did not have a real chance.
The trainer in question is Harry Whittington who boasts a 28% strike rate with horses travelling at least this distance; he can also be considered a Sedgefield specialist given his highly impressive 38% strike rate (8 - 21) at the track.
His representative, Poldark Cross, an Irish PTP winner, placed on all three starts over hurdles last season and holds some respectable levels of form however was always bought under the pretence of developing into a chaser given his pedigree and frame.
Last time out, on his return from an 8 month break, he was well backed into favouritism for his chase debut and was a well fancied type to take to the larger obstacles at the first time of asking.
Things didn't go quite to plan however and after making blundering mistakes at the 10th and 11th jumps, he lost momentum and needed to be pulled up.
He has since been off the track for a further two months since that effort, presumably to sharpen his jumping, and he should now be afforded another chance to deliver upon his previously touted chase potential.
He should relish the soft conditions here, has already been nibbled at in todays market, and all looks set for a revitalising effort after last times disappointment.