Uttoxeter 2.25 Handicap Hurdle - Class 2 - 2 miles 7 and 1/2 furlongs - 17 run - Good to Soft.

 

Guard Duty and Red Dirt Road head the market on merit but may be vulnerable off inflated marks and drier conditions. Backmeorsackme and Blaze The Way will be strong Irish challengers and not lightly discounted here. Platonik and Chasingouttheblues are both progressive types who could easily take a hand here in a very competitive race. Castlefort is very highly regarded by connections, steps up in trip and is added to the TRACKER from today. Finally JOYEAUX MACHIN at 7/2 favourite may be well worth a win saver for those that like that sort of option, particularly given the stable strength here at Uttoxeter.

 

There are three that I think are excellent each way value. In preference order, SAMUEL SPADE was an impressive winner last time, the 8lbs penalty is largely mitigated by the booking of a very good 5lbs Claimer and I certianly think this is one that can win again off the sort of mark. DARTMOOR PIRATE will very much welcome a return to better ground and looks to have an excellent chance and although a bit more speculative you don't get too many Paul Nicholls runners at double figure odds and RED RISK who has been in deeper races than this is another that will welcome the better underfoot conditions and is a Course winner only lightly raced this season so far but fresh and now fit as a result of just the one recent run. (Robin)

 

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Uttoxeter 3.00 Midlands Grand National - Handicap Chase - Class 1 - 4 miles 2 furlongs - 17 run - Good to Soft

 

This is often run in an absolute bog but despite better conditions today I still think proven stamina is largely the way to go. Fortunedefortunata steps up in trip for Elliott and the better Irish hope may be BODHISATTVA who has more proven stamina and if you want an Irish small each way poke this would be the suggestion. 

 

Saint Davy is a lightly raced dark horse and Knockanore the likely favourite but carrying a chunk of penalty that may make it vulnerable. I can't see anything at very big prices as a realistic option here so my top 4 rated of the UK runners are as follows.

 

MY SILVER LINING was 3rd in this race last season off a mark of 131, has disappointed over 3 mile type trips so far this season but I feel will have been targeted back here  and a mark of 124 gives it every chance. GALIS DES LITEAUX has shown a few times that this sort of extended trip is within range and is another who I think will have been picked and targeted from early season for this race. IRON BRIDGE is inconsistent and whilst that is a trademark of the yard the better ground is a big plus and this one has got some very decent Course form too. Finally if you want the 4th option, APPLE AWAY is from a red hot yard with a host of progressive long distance Chasers and is another who will have been laid out for this. It is an excellent renewal in respect of some never younger blood and a changing of the guard! (The Advisor)

 

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Thurles 3.05 - Handicap Chase - 2 miles 5 furlongs - 15 run - Good to Yielding 

 

I narrowed this down to a short list of 5 and of them I will leave out Irish Impulse my 4th rated so notional reserve whose absence of 3 months just lost it an investment, definitely one to keep a close eye on though and Spinning Web a recent winner under a penalty who might just be over handicapped now.

 

My 1-2-3 in preference order are CLONBURY BRIDGE who was a shade unlucky last time but who has an excellent chance on earlier form, MALINAS GLORY will certainly appreciate a return to better ground and is just 2lbs above last winning mark here in the Autumn and CROWSATEDAPPLETART who returns to Chasing off an eye catching mark after a recent good spell over Hurdles (Michael)

 

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