Uttoxeter 2.35 - Handicap Hurdle - Class 4 - 2 miles 4 furlongs - 12 run - Good

 

I focussed on one here with a fair degree of confidence and whilst Hawaii Du Mestivel and Honneur D'Ajonc should be very tough opponents at the top of the market and the most likely 1-2, I do feel that TOMMIE GUN can both get in amongst those pair and is by far the most likely to be closest to them of the remainder, should they prevail.

 

TOMMIE GUN comes from the in-form Twiston-Davies yard, ran well for a long way before tipping up over fences last time on seasonal debut, so brings race fitness and some solid Hurdles form from last season. Provided he has no mental scars from the form, he has a cracking each way chance here. (RJ)

 

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Uttoxeter 3.45 Handicap Chase - Class 5 - 2 miles 4 furlongs - 13 run - Good

 

I think that Outside Adesa and Paddy In The Caddy could be nice Chaser prospects down the line, both should come on for the runs here and gain experience down the line so I've added both to the TRACKER. 

 

Eric Carmen is race fit if somewhat exposed, Call Blue comes from an in form yard but there are too many mixed messages I feel for today and I was left with just a couple to seriously consider for an investment.

 

I do think that at 4/1 or better that BRIDGET MARY a winner last time out for the Red Curtis yard and who should be able to follow up with a moderate 4lbs penalty here, I have to balance the price as "win value" against a fairly compact market.

 

If there is an exposed one who might be a bit of each way value it's DREAMSUNDERMYFEET exposed but race fit and who may just sneak a top three finish here is aimed at gaining best position and allowed to get in to the race under its own steam off a very decent mark based on some considerable known form. (Robin)

 

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Down Royal 1.00 - Handicap Hurdle - 16 run - Good to Yielding

 

It's a fair old way around this tough right hander and stamina and race fitness are an asset.

 

Jimils Cave comes off a win at Downpatrick over the trip but on the run before struggling to get the trip here and that makes him vulnerable to a 7lbs penalty. Brandt is fit and in decent form but I have considerable tamina concerns about this one. Kellys Birr for Elliott is just typical of the yard, a touch unexposed, off a break with bits of form but equally some question marks, at the price, I'll take it on.

 

Speranza Wilde showed real promise in a 3 mile Maiden P2P win and is one I've added to the TRACKER.

 

At the more speculative end of the market a couple caught my eye including Container Madness only a 5 year old upped in trip and a big run would not be a complete surprise.

 

I had a top 4 rated and then one at very big odds that I am going to have to scratch the itch with.

 

Worthy of strong mentions therefore as 3rd and 4th rated but just left out here are Mullaghmore Wave who is creeping in to contention, looks likely to be in the top 5 or 6 but is just a bit exposed and a similar logic and a suspicion that she has been on the go on summer ground for a fair while applies to Emily in Paris who otherwise ticks every box. I'm hoping they finish 5th and 6th to support the logic but not in the top 3-4.

 

My top 2 rated and ones with most confidence are SAMMY SMART who is race fit and still has some upward ceiling as a race tuned 8 year old, I think a tongue tie might just settle this one enough to optimise some obvious potential. I would also be very disappointed if TILLOUGHNA who had a nice run off a short break can't use that bit of freshness that my 3rd and 4th rated don;t have to step up in to the top 3 here.

 

My big priced itch is MON STORM, who was a decent Hurdler before a 2 year break. A couple of quiet runs back will have rebuilt some stamina and and whilst i can't be sure how close he can get back to his previous mark as a 13 year old, I have to pose the question, why are they still trying and more pertinently, what have they said to Danny Mullins to persuade him to take what looks an otherwise futile ride?. For this reason I'm keen to invest! (Sean) - PS seems to be a big local early punt on this one since I typed up - Jon

 

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TRACKERS

 

Down Royal 1.00 Everstep Oftheway (need run) / Il Silenzio

Newmarket 2.52 Obee Jo

Dundalk 8.30 Church Mountain

 

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