16:30 Uttoxeter

Saturday 28 January 2017

All13:3513:4014:1014:4515:2015:5516:30

R & H Insulations Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:30 | Winning time: 4m 22.80s

Ashoka¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Bridget Andrews⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 120

25/1

Pulled up the last twice in more competitive handicaps than this. They followed a decent second in a Listed contest, and on that form he would have to have a big chance under top weight.

Form: P0611-3

Whispering Harry¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: James Davies| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 117

14/1

Now finds himself back to a similar sort of mark to the one he won off two years ago, but the fact that that was his most recent victory gives some cause for concern.

Form: 362-PF3

Makethedifference¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Alan Johns⁽³⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 117

11/1

Was an encouraging third to Who Dares Wins in a Listed contest at Newbury in November but has put in two lackluster efforts since, both on soft ground. He probably prefers a sounder surface, and his mark remains a little too high to take an interest today.

Form: 674377-

Leviathan¹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: L Treadwell| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 114

15/2

Won a good quality handicap at Ascot in Nov 2014, but hasn't been able to reproduce that form since. Today is easier than some of his more recent races, though, and he is dropping down the handicap fast.

Form: 765-485

Restraint of Trade¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 108

11/2

Recorded his last win off a higher mark than this, but that was in June 2015, and it seems like he would like a slightly sounder surface than what is likely to be on offer today.

Form: 0-54466

Minella Fiveo¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 108

7/1

Won a similar race to this at Ayr two starts ago, and is actually now on a lower mark, but didn't look the same horse when well beaten after a long break at Bangor last time.

Form: 65417/6

Manwell⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 103

5/4

Impressive C&D winner a month ago but has gone up a massive 18lb for that victory. It's a big ask for him to overcome that rise but not impossible for this progressive gelding.

Form: 2P-0963

Jolly Roger²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-7| J: R T Dunne| T: D Burchell| OR: 101

8/1

Seemingly exposed runner who hasn't even gotten close over hurdles since a claiming event at Taunton almost two years ago. Form has been slightly better on the Flat since but still does not look one to be with here.

Form: 6P0/93U-

Non-Runners

No Win No Fee¹⁵¹

Weight: 11-5| Age: 7

T: B Leavy J: C Gethings

Forecasts

Manwell (5/4), Restraint of Trade (11/2), Minella Fiveo (7/1), Leviathan (15/2), Jolly Roger (8/1), No Win No Fee (8/1), Makethedifference (11/1), Whispering Harry (14/1), Ashoka (25/1)

MANWELL ran out a more than impressive winner over C&D a month ago and though the handicapper has taken full notice of that victory he may well have the necessary improvement in him to beat a field where many have question marks surrounding them. Ashoka has been pulled up twice in a row now but they were much better contests than this and he is worth considering, as well as No Win No Fee, who is back down to a workable mark. 1. Manwell 2. Ashoka 3. No Win No Fee