The Midlands Grand National is the feature race on another busy Saturday. We take a look at the pick of the TV action from Uttoxeter and Kempton
UTTOXETER
3.35pm – Midlands Grand National
Key Trends
14/15 – Aged 9yo or younger
13/15 – Had won over at least 3m (fences) before
13/15 – Carried 10-12 or less
13/15 – Had won between 1-4 times over fences before
12/15 – Had raced within the last 8 weeks
11/15 – Had never run at Uttoxeter before
11/15 – Won by an Irish bred horse
10/15 – Officially rated 133 or less
10/15 – Carried 10st 9lb or less
10/15 – Finished in the top 3 last time out
It is Grand National season. Of course, in a couple of weeks we have the big one at Aintree, then there is the Scottish version at Ayr in late April, but before that we have the Midlands version at Uttoxeter.
Many of the best chasers have been in action at Cheltenham this week, but this has not detracted from what looks another deep-quality renewal of this 4m2f handicap.
No fewer than 20 runners stand their ground but it is a fair bet that many will not finish. A staggering 48% of the runners over the last decade have been pulled up.
The trends would point to eight-year-olds and nine-year-olds over older and younger horses over the last decade. Similarly, we are looking for one with a relatively low-weight.
BALLYDINE is a dour stayer who ticks plenty of boxes. He caught the eye staying on strongly to finish third in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock, a track that was plenty sharp enough. The slight negative against him is trainer form – Charlie Longsdon is in something of a dry spell – but he is an unexposed 9yo who carries a decent weight of 10st 12lb.
The Last Fling Handicap Chase at Haydock is a worthy piece of form worth inspection. The race was won by CHEF D’OEUVRE, who beat the mud-loving BACK TO THE THATCH by just under three lengths, with DELL’ARCA a further 12 lengths back in third. The winner subsequently came third in the Grand National Trial at the same track in February off an 11lb higher mark, and meets Back To The Thatch off 9lb worse terms this time. Dell’Arca re-opposes on 7lb better terms and with David Pipe’s record in the race – four winners in the last eight renewals – there will be a few each-way bettors taking a second glance at Dell’Arca.
MS PARFOIS has been lightly campaigned this term, her sole run since a runner-up effort in the Grade 1 Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree last April came when sixth and well held by Sizing Tennessee in a Grade 3 handicap at Newbury at the start of December. She stayed 4m when runner-up in last season’s National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham, so merits plenty of consideration.
AMERICAN last won at Uttoxeter in March 2017 in a novices’ handicap chase but while one of the classier horses in the line-up, he tends to blow hot and cold and was pulled up on his last run, in that same race at Newbury won by Sizing Tennessee.
DAWSON CITY was a decent last-time-out winner over and extended 3m6f at Exeter and ARTHUR’S GIFT took a Carlisle handicap over an extended 3m last time, so both merit respect in a race where it often pays to look for an each-way chance.
1.50pm – Lady Riders’ Handicap Hurdle
Nine runners are scheduled to face the judge for this extended 2m7f handicap for female professional jockeys and amateur riders and Cheltenham Festival-winning jockeys Lizzie Kelly and Bryony Frost are among them.
Kelly’s 3lb claim will be beneficial to TOO MANY CHIEFS, who has won six of his 21 races over hurdles for Sharon Watt. Though he won a Class 4 handicap at Catterick in December, this is a step up in class and he has yet to really prove himself in this sort of company.
Frost is reunited with NEARLY PERFCET, who has not backed up his decent Southwell second in early December, but caught the eye staying on well behind Printing Dollars at Exeter last time on is handicap debut.
SOLSTICE STAR won a third race in four when reverting to fences following a 63-day break at Catterick last month. That was a first chasing win on his eighth attempt and he is not a natural over fences, so is back over hurdles and Brodie Hampson’s 5lb claim will be invaluable.
HOLDBACKTHERIVER is also worthy of note following his win in a 3m handicap chase at Bangor in January. Another who reverts to hurdles, he still would appear to have a bit to find with Solstice Star on their Chepstow run in November.
2.25pm – Novices’ Handicap Chase
A decent 3m event and DE RASHER COUNTER catches the eye. He was entered in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, but Emma Lavelle decided to bypass that race for this one.
He had subsequent winner Walt behind him at Newbury in handicap company in December and was not beaten far by Now McGinty on his first attempt over 3m, when back in novice company at Chepstow last time and conceding 6lb to the winner.
LOUGH DERG FARMER appeared to be getting his act together over fences when scoring for Sue Smith at Carlisle last time, while Exeter scorer CAPTAIN CATTISTOCK loves the mud and the only slight concern is that all his wins have come going right-handed.
POLYDORA has plenty to find with De Rasher Counter on their Newbury run and looks in the grip of the handicapper now, while AINTREE MY DREAM has to brush up on his jumping. He did not jump well at Newcastle and then fell at Warwick last time.
SCOTCHTOWN could be the biggest danger. A maiden over fences, he stayed on really well in defeat by Achille at Sandown and looks nicely handicapped at present.
3.00pm – Handicap Hurdle
With a prize of almost £31,000 to the winner of this 2m4f Class 2 handicap hurdle, it is no surprise that 20 runners will line up, which makes things a little more awkward for bettors.
The Paul Nicholls-trained DR SANDERSON needed every yard of the 2m trip at Ffos Las last time to make it three wins from four starts and this extra half-mile should help. He is a horse who has had plenty of rest between his races, but lacks nothing in the courage department and is one for the short-list.
Stablemate MAGOO was a fair runner-up to Forza Milan in a Class 3 Sandown handicap on soft ground over a similar trip last time and should give another good account.
SULLY D’OC AA makes his British debut for Anthony Honeyball in the colours of J.P. McManus, having won three of four hurdles races in France and the form does not look too bad at first glance.
Top weight LORD NAPIER was third in the listed Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton and followed that with a Grade 3 victory at Sandown last time on his first run over 3m, and stayed on very strongly. He ran off a mark of 134, but goes off 145 here and that looks a harsh rise. He represents the class of the field in a race where plenty hold chances.
KEMPTON
2.05pm – Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase
Just five line up for this 2m affair, one of three races from the Sunbury track on ITV4, and TIMOTEO is the only last-time-out winner in the line-up.
Alan King’s 6yo gets a 7lb penalty for scoring in a Class 4 novice chase at Stratford on Monday, where he travelled strongly and jumped well throughout. He did not win over hurdles, but he has a bright future over fences if that first try is taken at face value.
Ex-French ENVOYE SPECIAL has not shown a great deal on two starts since arriving at Paul Nicholls’ yard, but came up against some smart opposition and while well held by Glen Forsa here last time, he travelled well for a long way after taking time to settle. He can be expected to improve.
The Dan Skelton-trained HOLRYALE won by 13 lengths on his chasing debut at Worcester last August, but back over fences at Huntingdon after a 182-day break following wind surgery, he looked in need of the run and was pulled up last month.
KOCKMAOLE BOY has not set the world alight in three runs over fences but jumped better at Leicester last time, while EDDIEMAURICE gets weight from all four rivals and there was plenty to like about the way he jumped on only his fourth chase start when finding Lillington too good at Newbury last time.
2.40pm – VIP Silver Plate Handicap Hurdle
Ten face the judge for this 2m5f handicap worth just under £22,000 to the winner and the field is headed by BURROWSEDGE, trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Nico de Boinville, who took Friday’s Triumph Hurdle with Keepers Hill.
Burrows Edge made his return after 301 days off when second to Erick Le Rouge over C&D and was entered in a few handicaps at the Festival meeting, but bypassed them to come here and a small 2lb rise may not be enough to see him gain compensation.
MAHLERVOUS is the only last-time-out winner in the field, having scored at Kelso last time, but he will need to brush up on his hurdling if he is to follow up in this more competitive event.
Softer ground will help MY WAY, while the drop in trip and class will suit progressive novice STAR OF LANKA, who was a fair fourth in the Grade 2 Prestige Novices’ Hurdle at Haydock last time. He remains capable of better.
HONEST VIC was helped by a first-time visor when chasing home Brio Conti in a decent Ascot handicap last time and if it works a second time, he must have a decent chance.
3.15pm – Silver Bowl Handicap Chase
A field of nine go to post for this extended 2m4f handicap chase, where ONEFORTHEROADTOM is likely to head the market. The Harry Fry-trained 6yo has yet to hit the frame in four runs over fences, but is owned by J. P. McManus, who has obviously seen something he likes and this one could start making up for lost time according to the Genting Casino horse racing odds.
BROTHER TEDD is a 10yo who has missed the best part of two seasons, but returned after 600 days off to finish runner-up to Gortroe Joe at Ludlow and looks well handicapped on old form. He will be more at home on a sounder surface than he is likely to encounter here, though.
EL TERREMOTO has not looked a natural over fences but made a pleasing return after almost five months off when chasing home Alizee De Janeiro at Kelso in a four-runner event. This looks a hotter race but this extra 3f will help.
KAYF BLANCO need to find more off a 3lb rise following his Ludlow win in this better race, but he is in good form and on a hat-trick, but FORTH BRIDGE makes more appeal. Owned by HM The Queen, the 6yo has been runner-up on six occasions in 10 starts over fences, but he did well in defeat at Leicester last time and a more positive ride over this lesser trip might help.
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