12:20 Uttoxeter

Sunday 31 December 2017

All12:2012:5013:2513:5514:2515:0015:30

Ever So Sensible Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:20 | Winning time: 4m 15.70s

Clock On Tom²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Houlihan⁽⁷⁾| T: B Leavy| OR: 100| D

9/2

Two runs for current trainer, the second of which saw him finish a creditable second of seven at Leicester. Has not won over hurdles for some time, but is down to a feasible mark.

Form: PP40-52

Aza Run⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: J M Quinlan| T: S A Harris| OR: 97| CD

5/1

Registered his second win over hurdles when successful over C&D last month. Up 6lb, but handles underfoot conditions and should be thereabouts.

Form: 8133-01

C'est Du Gateau^t²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 94

6/1

Three quiet runs in novice/maiden company before running well to a point on handicap debut at Fontwell. Drops in trip and may do better off 2lb lower.

Form: 5754

Comber Mill^h,t³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: A Ralph| OR: 93

7/1

Couple of solid efforts in defeat before pulling too hard and ruining his chance at Hereford last time. Won't be able to get away with that on this ground, but has an each-way chance if settling.

Form: 769448

Flight To Nowhere^t1²³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Adam Wedge| T: R J Price| OR: 90

25/1

Has failed to hit the frame in six starts over hurdles, two of them in handicap company. Dropping down the weights, but needs to show more in a first-time tongue tie.

Form: 9056-48

Chatelier⁶⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: R T Dunne| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 85

16/1

Beaten a long way in four novice hurdles, he makes his debut in a handicap off a low mark. Worth checking to see if there is any money for him.

Form: 57900

Dragon Khan^t⁵⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Mrs R Gasson| OR: 82| D

9/2

Poor strike rate on the Flat and over hurdles and was well held over C&D on his first start for this trainer last month. Might have needed that and is not totally out of it off a 4lb lower mark.

Form: 9963-67

Richardofdoccombe^t³⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 10-8| J: Kieron Edgar⁽³⁾| T: Miss G Haywood| OR: 82

7/2

Winner of one of his seven hurdles who returned from a break to finish third of 13 at Wincanton last month. Down 2lb, but testing ground may not be ideal.

Form: 456/9P-3

Norse Castle^p1²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-4| J: James Best| T: M R Bosley| OR: 78

25/1

Has cut little ice over timber, although he did shape a little better at Leicester last time. Handicap rating continues to fall and he is not without hope if the fitting of cheekpieces has a positive effect.

Form: 059-685

Non-Runners

Boutan⁹

Weight: 11-0| Age: 4

T: G Harris J: M Hamill

Forecasts

Richardofdoccombe (7/2), Clock On Tom (9/2), Dragon Khan (9/2), Aza Run (5/1), C'est Du Gateau (6/1), Comber Mill (7/1), Boutan (10/1), Chatelier (16/1), Norse Castle (25/1), Flight To Nowhere (25/1)

Top-weight Clock On Tom ran well on his previous start and has prospects under his 7lb claimer, while C'Est Du Gateau may do better over this shorter trip after a promising effort last time. Norse Castle is interesting at the foot of the handicap, but the one to beat may be AZA RUN, who acts on heavy ground and whose rise of 6b for winning over C&D is fair.