Good morning all,
It's Uttoxeter's big day today and I'll be working away in the middle, which will be an unusual experience as I'm used to working in Tatts these days. The weather means it'll be busy busy busy, and business ought to be good, even in the Silver Ring.
My thoughts on today's tricky card are on the main piece.
1.50 Uttoxeter
Soft, heavy in places (although I suspect the heavy will have gone by Saturday) at Uttoxeter and when it’s testing there, it’s testing. No room for potential non-stayers this afternoon and that means the heave-ho for the likes of Dazzling Glory, Winningseverything, Kateson and Nowordofalie here.
Grace a Vous Enki will be popular but the race he won at Hereford last time fell apart, and the handicapper wasn’t particularly impressed either.
I’m going to row in with Illegal Model here. He’s not really got on with fences on his last three starts but looks nicely handicapped on his fourth to Storm Rising at Chepstow at the start of 2021, won’t mind the ground and both a wind op and first-time blinkers make him of more interest. Charlie Longsden has won this twice in the last three years (last year for this owner) and I can see him going close to making it a hat-trick.
2.25 Uttoxeter
Not a race I’m mad keen on. Docpickedme has done well winning his last two here, but another 6lb on his back in a better race means another step forward is required. It’s possible the new headgear will do that, but I think his front-running tactics will set it up for Fuji Flight, who has won his last two and Lucy Turner takes off the 5lb (and a bit more) he’s been given for his Newbury win. Venetia continues to roll the winners in and this could be another in ground that will suit.
3.00 Uttoxeter
Beauport looks the best of the British options for this handicap hurdle. Progressive, he only found Green Book too good at Sandown last time, the pair nicely clear. Another 6lb on his back makes life harder, but he’ll handle the ground and keeps moving forward.
I’m assuming Freedom To Dream won’t go after his exertions at Cheltenham yesterday, but he’d have an obvious chance here if he did run. If there’s one that might be a bit overpriced it’s Haafapiece, who was below form at Kempton last time but there’s not a lot wrong with his defeat of Ballyandy at Wetherby the time before. He’s no secrets from the handicapper here, but could give you a good spin at a price.
3.35 Uttoxeter
This year’s Midlands Grand National is as tricky to solve as ever.
Time To Get Up looks an obvious start point, having won the race last year and only has 4lb more to carry this time around. That’s because he’s shown little in two starts this term, but Jonjo reaches for the headgear, often a positive sign with his, and there’s little doubt this can have been the target for the season. However, 4-1 doesn’t exactly get the punting juices flowing.
Paul NIcholls was less than happy to see the rain at Cheltenham this week (actually, he was less than happy about the watering, but still…) but he’ll have been delighted to see it for his Truckers Lodge here. The 2020 winner has 7½l to find with Time To Get Up on last year, but slower ground this time and an 8lb pull in the weights are very much in his favour. He comes here after a cracking effort at Ascot over a trip too short, doing some good late work to get near the improving Fortescue, and I can’t have him a much bigger price than Time To Get Up. Yet he’s twice the price and I think that represents great value. You’ll need a sledgehammer to keep him out of the frame.
You’d not trust Achille to sit the right way round on the toilet, but he’s another that has his plus points – first time blinkers, a 13lb pull with Time To Get Up for just under seven lengths on last year’s running, and Venetia continues to fire ‘em in. If continues to drift he could represent longshot value.
Today's selection – Truckers Lodge 3.35 Uttoxeter
Good luck with all your bets today,
David.