16:00 Uttoxeter

Saturday 27 January 2018

All13:4514:2014:5515:3016:0016:30

Marston's Pedigree Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:03 | Winning time: 5m 38.10s

Hargam^p⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 120

14/1

Former Listed hurdle winner who was once rated 155 in that sphere. Yet to convince in four chases, last two for this trainer and pulled up on heavy ground at Aintree last time. Would be capable of winning this by a wide margin if mentally ready.

Form: 00-220P

Major Hindrance²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Dave Crosse| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 120

5/2

Half-brother to Welsh National winner Monbeg Dude and similarly suited to boggy conditions. Yet to see the best of him over fences and an 8lb rise for his latest battling success may not deter him in this company.

Form: 31-9B31

West Wizard^h1,t⁵²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Sean Houlihan⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 119

12/1

Disappointing since a good run at Bangor and a drop into this grade failed to inspire last time. Hood fitted now but hard to recommend whilst in such a decline.

Form: 026P65

Special Wells¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Sam Coltherd⁽⁵⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 119| CD

7/1

Goes well around here and particularly likes heavy ground. All four wins have come in this grade and he will be all the better for his return to action two weeks ago. Just 2lb above his last winning mark with a good claimer in the saddle.

Form: 41144-5

Fergal Mael Duin^b,t¹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: T J O'Brien| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 116

3/1

Blinkers were inspiring a better run from him last time before blundering away his chance. That came at Fontwell where he reserves his best efforts and he looks less effective elsewhere.

Form: 5P7-65F

Ckalco Des Loges^t¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Bridget Andrews⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 116| D

13/2

Has failed to live up to market expectations in two runs over fences. As a winning point-to-pointer and dual winning hurdler, better can be expected from this kind of mark when connections get to the bottom of his problems.

Form: 14-153P

Granville Island¹⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-5| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 113| C

7/1

Four years since his last win but worth noting he has a win and a runner-up berth from two starts here. Running to a consistent level and one which should have him thereabouts from this mark.

Form: 58-F443

Timon's Tara^p³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: J M Quinlan| T: R Dickin| OR: 106| C

8/1

Inconsistent but she reserves her best for this track and she won the feature mare's race on this card 12 months ago off 2lb higher. Conditions are similar and she faces little competition for the lead.

Form: 42-P2P4

Forecasts

Major Hindrance (5/2), Fergal Mael Duin (3/1), Ckalco Des Loges (13/2), Granville Island (7/1), Special Wells (7/1), Timon's Tara (8/1), West Wizard (12/1), Hargam (14/1)

Special Wells likes it around here and is perfectly happy on heavy ground. This is his level and off this mark, fresh from a recent return to action, he looks one to beat. Timon's Tara won on this card 12 months ago and will make her presence felt from the foot of the weights, but MAJOR HINDRANCE is a progressive type who has more to offer over fences and is well suited to testing surfaces. Granville Island should be thereabouts, but he has forgotten how to win and a place may be the best he can hope for.