Saturday Selections

Good morning all,

Seems to go a bit against the grain to focus on something other than Newmarket today, but Uttoxeter's card made more appeal so I've concentrated on that, with a bit of Newmarket tagged on.

Let's hope I've made the right decision!

1.43 Uttoxeter

I’m already running out of patience with Lord Landen, but he’ll want a trip on pedigree and I’m happy enough to forgive him his handicap debut at Warwick in February where he never travelled in heavy ground, and finished well beaten. The blinkers go on today and better ground might well help him, given he’s already had a breathing operation. He needs to recapture his bumper form (he flew home for third here on his debut) to hold a chance, but under different conditions today, I’d not rule that out.

Caroline Bailey had a welcome winner at Southwell last week and Hunky, who has been handicapped with three runs over two miles, takes a big step up in trip here. That ought to suit on breeding, as should better ground, and I could see him running a better race too.

Of those with recent form, Gareth Cael looks a likely candidate. He followed up his Carlisle fourth (race has worked out well, front three have all won since) with a (lucky) third at Southwell last time, and he looks to be improving. Another step up in trip won’t do him any harm either (dam related to a 3m winner) and it’s still early days. He looks the solid each-way option here.

3.30 Uttoxeter

There’s not many in here I like, and the shortlist is a very short one. Two, in fact.

Captain Tommy won this last year, on his first run for David Bridgwater, and is perfectly well enough handicapped on that form but it’s something of a concern that he didn’t progress on that and hasn’t won since. Cheekpieces are now given a go, and Lilly Pinchin takes a useful 5lb off, so he could go well but I prefer the claims of Francky Du Berlais here.

He beat Captain Tommy here in the Clarke Cup on his next start and at the weights today, has a bit to do, but he’s totally unexposed at three miles and I’ve been waiting for him to try this trip for a while, given how strongly he stays over shorter. There was nothing wrong with his fourth to stablemate Mac Tottie in the Topham last time and that run now looks an ideal warm-up for this.

The Golden Rebel will win more races but whether he wants three miles is up for debate, and Tide Times, although in good form after winning back-to-back handicaps at Ludlow, has less than impressed with his jumping at times and a 6lb rise for a narrow win last time leaves him needing more.

4.05 Uttoxeter

A competitive handicap hurdle.

Presumably all roads lead to Market Rasen and another crack at the Summer Plate Hurdle for Hooper, who might well have won it last year but for his pilot taking the wide course all the way around, which is a hard thing to do at that tight track, especially on quick ground. With that, it’s a watching brief today, but come late July, he might be back on the radar.

Champagne Well might strip fitter for his Cheltenham run earlier in the month but I suspect he might need another to achieve full fitness. Stablemate Onagatheringstorm looks of more interest, given his good form last autumn, form that would give him a big chance here. His second to Sporting John looks a cut above what most of these could achieve, and coming back from wind surgery and on better ground, he might be the one to beat, for all a bit further might suit him better.

You can make an easy case for Whatsupwithyou on recent form and Hurricane Ali, a good winner at Haydock last time, likes Uttoxeter and could hit the frame, but I’d be with Onagatheringstorm here.

4.39 Uttoxeter

Only four runners for this handicap chase but here’s how I’m looking at it ; Found On made all to win at Market Rasen last time, Clemencia made all to win at Huntingdon, Brewers Project is normally ridden prominently (made all to win at Chepstow a year ago) and I wonder whether the three of them might set it up for Shetland Bus.

He’s not been with Dr Newland long, but he wasted little time in getting him back over fences where his mark is much lower. He badly needed his first outing after an absence but shaped a lot better at Bangor last time, not given a hard time but staying on nicely after the last. This small step up in trip will suit him and those two runs have seen him drop another 6lb.

5.09 Uttoxeter

We finish off the card with a 0-100 3m handicap chase, lovely.

Mozzaro is 2-2 over fences and open to more improvement, and it’s a case of whether he’s ready to go after a winter break. You’d have like to have seen a couple from the yard run a little better recently, but most have been big prices and I’d not hold that against him. 11-4 is short enough, all the same.

Chase The Wind has course form but he’s 13 now and although he comes here off the back of a good effort at Newcastle, there are better alternatives. Richardson is one – he’s a huge unit that I’ve been waiting for over fences, but his hurdles win here came on heavy ground and Saturday’s ground will be as far removed from heavy as you’ll get. I’ll be watching him today, but at the current prices the one I am backing is Peur Du Rien.

Essentially he’s (much) better class than this lot, and has slipped down the handicap after some very moderate efforts last winter and spring. However, the Oliver Sherwood yard have been struggling for winners for much of the year so I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt, and now the yard are firing winners in again – two of the last five from the yard have won, and they are 3-11 in April – now might be the time to catch this C&D winner. He’s simply too well handicapped to ignore.

1.50 Newmarket

Apollo One looks a ridiculous price for a horse that almost won a handicap off a mark of 100 on the July Course last year, and is 8lb better off for a neck with winner that day, Blackrod. Needs quick ground, goes best fresh (both wins after a break) and any horse that has the ability to (almost) win a handicap off a three-figure mark can’t possibly be 33-1. Extra places as well, looks a lovely each-way bet to me!

3.40 Newmarket – 2000 Guineas

Native Trail is the obvious pick but this will be the quickest ground he’s encountered by far, and given he didn’t look that happy in the dip here when winning the Craven, and that asks a question, particularly at the price.

Berkshire Shadow made some appeal at a huge price but I saw Light Infantry win at Yarmouth last September (a race that’s thrown up plenty of winners) and he looked all quality that day. He progressed on that to win the Horris Hill, (still green) and looks certain to improve again this year. The Simcock yard are going well now and I can see him running a good race.

Today's selection – Francky Du Berlais 3.30 Uttoxeter

Good luck with all your bets today,

David.