15:05 Uttoxeter

Saturday 18 November 2017

All12:2012:5013:2514:0014:3515:0515:40

Director's Bitter Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:09 | Winning time: 3m 59.9s

Druid's Diamond²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-13| J: S Bowen| T: M Walford| OR: 101

6/1

First past the post at Beverley in July only to lose the race after hanging into two rivals. Modest form so far over hurdles but better expected now handicapping. Will get maximum assistance from the saddle but the lack of headgear is a worry.

Form: 44

Grams And Ounces^p,t¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: L Heard| T: G Harris| OR: 100| D

9/2

Landed three races on the Flat this summer but has bumped into better horses on his last two starts. This is probably easier and he should reach the frame at least.

Form: 4334-23

Baraboy^p¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Thomas Greatrex⁽⁷⁾| T: F P Murtagh| OR: 97| CD

9/2

Beaten by a dual subsequent winner last time and his rider's claim helps to offset the handicapper's reaction. 2-9 around here and would not want the ground to get any softer.

Form: 713U42

Yasir¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: N P Madden| T: C R Dore| OR: 92| CD

5/1

Produced from off the pace to improve his record over hurdles to 2-18. Had the race run to suit him that day and a follow up looks less likely off his revised mark.

Form: 753P/0-1

Aza Run¹⁹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: J M Quinlan| T: S A Harris| OR: 91| D

14/1

Record of 1-17 and best form has come on more testing ground than forecast. Went well on reappearance here last December.

Form: 28133-0

Royal Act^h³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: James Banks| T: S-J Davies| OR: 88

12/1

Few signs of ability and forcing tactics saw him finish tailed off here a month ago. Makes handicap debut in modest company but remains difficult to recommend.

Form: 66-F49

Carnaross^t,v1⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: J Kington⁽³⁾| T: Julia Brooke| OR: 86| D

20/1

Tailed off at Hexham last week and the fitting of a visor needs to produce dramatic results. Unlikely contender, even at this level.

Form: 3/6-5FP0

Victorian Teo⁷⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: C Poste| T: T Symonds| OR: 81| D

33/1

Well beaten on sole start in this country two years ago. Off the track since and hard to fancy with stable out of form.

Form: 7F87/

Breeze Along^h,t¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: James Davies| T: S Thomas| OR: 79

14/1

Last of three finishers in a poor race over fences two weeks ago and has plenty to find in order to be a threat.

Form: 03-33F3

Peak Storm¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: David Noonan| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 77

20/1

Over two years since his last win and his best Flat form has come at Chepstow. Has done nothing over hurdles there and elsewhere. Stamina doubts persist in this sphere.

Form: 73776/0

Beau Knight⁵⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: R P McLernon| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 76

10/1

Off the track 18 months since finishing tailed off following a mistake in a Wetherby novice handicap. Supported that day and obviously thought capable of better.

Form: 04PP9/0-

Fiddler's Flight^h⁴¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: Colm McCormack⁽³⁾| T: J R Norton| OR: 72

9/1

Old timer retains ability but appears to reserve it for Sedgefield and more testing conditions than are forecast this afternoon.

Form: P3524-7

La Voix⁴⁸⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Mr H Hunt⁽⁷⁾| T: J D Frost| OR: 64

40/1

Poor mare who has achieved little so far. Makes no appeal from 10lb out of the weights despite a good amateur in the saddle.

Form: 340/6P9-

Forecasts

Baraboy (9/2), Grams And Ounces (9/2), Yasir (5/1), Druid's Diamond (6/1), Fiddler's Flight (9/1), Beau Knight (10/1), Royal Act (12/1), Aza Run (14/1), Breeze Along (14/1), Carnaross (20/1), Peak Storm (20/1), Victorian Teo (33/1), La Voix (40/1)

Few of these look reliable propositions but at least GRAMS AND OUNCES has won three times on the level this summer and has run well enough on his last two starts to have an obvious chance in a race as poor as this. Beau Knight and Druids Diamond are potential improvers, whilst Yasir bids to follow up a C&D success off a significantly higher mark. That may prove beyond him and a bigger danger may come from Baraboy who chased home Bollin Line last time. That rival completed a hat-trick at Ludlow this week and, despite his mark looking demanding, he has claims of reaching a place at least. Rain would dampen his chances but would help Aza Run.