Exciting Ryedale hopeful Hi George to hit ground running

HI GEORGE, whose one and only outing over fences saw him gain a notable success at Catterick last season, makes his eagerly awaited reappearance at Sedgefield today.

Trained at Norton by Malcolm Jefferson, the gelding gained a narrow success at Catterick over Holywell, who went on to become one of the best novice chasers of the season and is now among the favourites for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

While beating Holywell, who took a while to get the hang of jumping fences, may well have flattered Hi George, there is no doubt that he's an exciting horse.

He should be a tough but to crack in the featured Hellens Group Handicap Chase. Brian Hughes has the mount.

Distime, trained by John Quinn - Jefferson's neighbour - should be hard to beat in the Nortonthorpe Industrial Estate Huddersfield Novices' Limited Handicap Chase.

Restricted to only two outings last season, the eight-year-old returned from a lengthy absence to finish second at Aintree a couple of weeks ago to Baileys Concerto, who has been in unstoppable form lately and who has won again since at Musselburgh.

Distime should have benefited from his comeback outing and is napped to go one better this afternoon, despite having top weight to carry.

The opening Newcastle Flooring Novices' Hurdle is the target of Irish raider Balbriggan.

Trained by Gordon Elliott, whose horses are always to be feared in Britain, Balbriggan successfully mixes chasing and hurdling. The seven-year-old is already twice a winner this season. He can make it three.

Recent winners Accordingtoscript (2.50) and Agent Fedora (3.50) are also worth considering.

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Exciting Ryedale hopeful Hi George to hit ground running