It might be the Cheltenham Festival this week, but we're turning our attention to Sedgefield this afternoon as Cave Article goes in search of his second win for the Coral Racing Club in the Class 4 Handicap Chase (16:18) over 3m2½f.

Read our Raceday LIVE Preview below and join us ahead of the race for all the build-up and live updates from the track with the team and Cave Article's 10 lucky owners for the day across our social channels on X (@coral) and Instagram (@coralofficial).

Raceday LIVE Preview

Cave Article returns to the course and distance that he recorded his first victory over this afternoon, as he heads to Sedgefield to take on the 3m2½f trip. He scored well that day, having taken up a prominent position under former Champion Jockey, Brian Hughes, and was a part of the leading group for the entirety of the long distance trip. He took up the running before the final flight, and stayed on strongly to win going away from the field on that day.

WATCH: Cave Article scores comfortably at Sedgefield
Two of his rivals from that race line up against him again today, in the shape of second place finisher, Old Page, who was the only other contender in the closing stages of that Sedgefield race, and Prince Cleni, also trainer by Christian Williams, who was a over ten lengths behind in a remote third. The terms of engagement will be different this afternoon however, with Old Page lining up 4lbs better off in the weights, and Prince Cleni running off a mark that effectively puts him 6lbs better off than last time. 

Cave Article went to Catterick in January following a few weeks off after that victory, where he went off favourite once again. He travelled well throughout the contest and looked like he could go back-to-back for a long time in the contest, however it appeared that the step down in trip by 1½ furlongs had an affect, and he just didn't quite have the pace to keep up with the eventual winner, The Paddy Pie, who has won since, and Baby Chou, who stole second place on the line.

WATCH: Brian Hughes reflects on Cave Article's performance at Catterick
Comparisons between Cave Article's last winning run and today certainly run deep, with both races coming over the same course and distance, having two of the same rivals lining up and finishing a solid third place in the run before hand. One aspect that will be different for our six year old today, is the ground being good. He hasn't run over fences on ground better than good-to-soft, nor has he run over a distance further than 2m4f on ground better than soft, so the race being run at a quicker pace will certainly be a new experience for Cave Article.

Raceday message from trainer Christian Williams

'Cave Article has obviously won at the track before which is a big plus. The ground will hopefully suit him and Adam Wedge has ridden him plenty at home, so hopefully we can get a Cheltenham winner at Sedgefield!'

Chris Dixon, Racing TV Analyst, provides an exclusive preview of today's 16:18 at Sedgefield

Although he was beaten, the figures suggest Cave Article produced another career best when third at Catterick last time and my feeling is that race didn’t show him to best advantage. Clearly a pretty strong stayer, s steadily run race and furlong shorter trip than his previous win over this course and distance perhaps counted against him so I expect another step forward here. The form of Catterick has worked out with the winner The Paddy Pie following up at Newcastle off a 3lbs higher mark. That suggests Cave Article is still well-handicapped off his 1lb higher mark of 82 and he should go well here.

Old Page was second to Cave Article here in December and has a pull at the weights, but Cave Article won well enough that day and was value for more than the bare margin. Stablemate Prince Cleni was also behind that day before going on to win at Southwell but also looks likely to be held again on that course and distance form. The biggest danger is therefore likely to be Ladronne who cashed in on a falling mark when rewarding market support at Wetherby last time. At his best when patiently ridden and delivered late, don’t expect to see Ladronne making a challenge until at least the second last but there’s every chance he’ll be doing just that as he remains well-treated on old form. That said, Cave Article is improving and looks the one to beat.

Trainer and Jockey Statistics

Christian Williams has only had one winner in the past couple of weeks, but his record when sending runners to Sedgefield speaks for itself with a remarkable 39% win-rate (9 wins from 23 runners).

Adam Wedge has been in the winners' enclosure twice from his last nine rides, and the experienced jockey also has a noteworthy record when riding at the County Durham based track with a 25% win-rate (17 wins from 67 rides).

Cave Article's Owners for the Day

As winners of the recent Owner for the Day competition, 10 lucky Coral Racing Club members have been given the chance to enjoy an exclusive owners experience for Cave Article's run at Sedgefield this afternoon.

Each winner, along with a guest of their choosing, will receive free entry to Sedgefield Racecourse, including exclusive access to Owners & Trainers areas. They'll have the opportunity to meet Cave Article and the Christian Williams team, plus get to head into the parade ring before the race begins to be amongst all the other owners, trainers and jockeys. And last but by no means least, each winner will get to take home an equal 10% split of any prize money won by Cave Article.

Prize Money

Today's Class 4 Handicap Chase is worth £8,900 in total, with the winner set to scoop £4,700 for their lucky owners.

2nd: £2,162 | 3rd: £1,081 | 4th: £541

       SEDGEFIELD 16:18 – LATEST ODDS       

We hope you enjoyed reading today's Raceday LIVE Preview. Don't forget to tune in just before 16:18 to watch Cave Article's next run for the Club live on the Coral Sports app.