Utoxeter Thursday 10th June

 

A competitive field with some unexposed types, some consistent if exposed types and some solid Course form too.

 

I narrowed it down to around 8 of the 16 runners and from that discounted Baby Jane for whom the trip is my biggest concern, Quivy Lough who will certainly be one I will track after tonight, has good Course form here, 1st and 3d on last 2 runs off marks of 91 and 96 but whose recent wind op didn't initially see to work, so a watching brief until health is more certain and a dangerous pair in Haveacuppa a Course winner at 2 miles but whose stamina I'm not 100% sure of and Keep The River, who looks a solid plodder but who invariably seems to find something with a turn of foot at the business end of the race.

 

I'm not 100% sure that Uttoxeter suits Ali The Hunter based on previous form here although the horse and the Yard are clearly in good form and whilst Our Rockstar is clearly the one they all have to beat here, at the price I really want to find some each way value.

 

That comes in the shape of my 2 selections.

 

LEESWOOD LILY from the Jennie Candlish yard is a 3 mile P2P winner who has been competitive over 2 miles and slightly further recently, that should have really sharpened her up and if she can sit just off the pace and hunt around the first circuit that proven stamina allied to a turn of foot could see here appear in the closing stages with a wet sail. Slightly less exposed but in very good hands is JERMINNIE GREEN  also a 3 mile P2P winner, she has run well enough on Good to Soft to think that this Good ground will be fine and Alan King likes to bring his young horses on gradually and this looks like optimum trip and conditions to me.

 

 

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A big field but I don't think anything as deep or competitive as the earlier race though something can always "pop up" and progress quickly.

 

Sweeping Rock may need this run, usually does first time up but admirably consistent and certainly one for your notebooks after tonight.

 

Dubheen is the one I fear most due to connections but I just favoured a couple a bit more at the trip on Good Going.

 

ESPINATOR is on a nice mark and usually runs it's race, the Wintles like a touch around these parts so best to take the price if you can, it's placed a few times having caught well handicapped and improving horses and I can't find too many of them in here tonight so reward may await. HAHIDI from the Matt Shepherd yard and ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies is also pretty consistent and the jockey is a Course expert very adept at getting the best tactically out of a horse round here.