14:25 Uttoxeter

Saturday 18 March 2017

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:2017:50

Betfred TV Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 6m 21.4s

American⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: N D Fehily| T: H Fry| OR: 148

2/1

Progressive hurdler that represents a yard going places at the moment. Made all to win a decent little race last time out and, given that he may not have stopped improving, a 5lb higher mark may not be enough to halt him at this stage.

Form: 1/316-1

Pougne Bobbi²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| OR: 142

8/1

Won over 2m4f at Ludlow on his penultimate start but may not have been suited by dropping in distance last time out. Open to improvement now he tries 3m for the first time and obviously merits scrutinising in the betting given the current form of his top yard.

Form: 312-

Rock The Kasbah²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 142

6/1

Stable boosted by yesterday's strike at Cheltenham and this fellow looks capable of also paying his way again before too long. Not always the most fluent of jumpers but the form of his latest start is working out well and he has sound claims if he handles the hustle of this slightly larger field.

Form: 132412

Crosspark³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Adam Wedge| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 136

6/1

Two from six over fences and is going the right way now he has got used to the larger obstacles. Steps up in trip, but having won over 3m over hurdles, it's safe to assume his stamina will hold out. Quite whether drying ground will be ideal is another matter though.

Form: 1262U1

Tanit River^t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Alan Johns⁽³⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 136

28/1

Caused a bit of shock when winning at odds of 16/1 at Chepstow recently but was always struggling under a 9lb higher burden last time out. The return to 3m may help but he has work to do on these terms. The rider's 3lb claim does help a little, though.

Form: 134-221

Hainan⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 133

10/1

Had Crosspark well adrift when they met at Wetherby in January, and then justified the handicapper's decision to hit him with a 15lb higher rise by running to his mark when finishing third in this grade last time out. An added bonus is the buoyant current form of his stable; so plenty of reasons to anticipate another big run over this more appropriate trip.

Form: 215-882

Mustmeetalady^p1³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: Killian Moore⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 126

14/1

Won a decent little race at Warwick earlier in the campaign but has been finding life tougher in the intervening period. Now back on a winning mark, but has lacked sparkle in recent outing. The fitting of cheekpieces may help but he has something to prove just now.

Form: 243541-

Newtown Lad^b,t⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: R T Dunne| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 125

9/1

A promising individual, he likes to get his toe in and, as he proved last time out, he can be very tough to deal with when he gets his optimum conditions. A 7lb higher mark makes this a stiffer test but he has a little scope for improvement and cannot be ruled out of making the frame at least on these terms.

Form: 31831F-

Delgany Demon²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: T E Whelan| T: N B King| OR: 121

13/2

A decent little hurdler who has adapted well to the newer challenge of racing over fences. He stays well and comes here on the back of a solid effort last time out. Up in grade though, and faces his sternest test over fences to date.

Form: 120-P27

Non-Runners

Baywing⁴²

Weight: 11-11| Age: 8

T: N G Richards J: R D Day

Wild West Wind²²

Weight: 11-2| Age: 8

T: T R George J: P J Brennan

Forecasts

American (2/1), Rock The Kasbah (6/1), Crosspark (6/1), Delgany Demon (13/2), Pougne Bobbi (8/1), Newtown Lad (9/1), Hainan (10/1), Wild West Wind (10/1), Baywing (10/1), Mustmeetalady (14/1), Tanit River (28/1)

American is a progressive type that will be hard to beat, even though he has a 5lb higher mark to contend with this time around. However, a chance is taken on HAINAN, who readily brushed aside Crosspark when they last met and has scope for further improvement back over a trip that suits. Baywing will also be a threat, which would be increased if the ground were to deteriorate. Pougne Bobbi is another worth a mention as one that is likely to improve over this more demanding test of stamina.