15:00 Uttoxeter

Saturday 17 March 2018

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:2017:55

Betfred 'Treble Odds On Lucky15's' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:07 | Winning time: 5m 28.4s

Clyne²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 146

10/1

Useful sort who goes well in testing ground. Faces an easier task than for some time so has to be on the short-list despite his hefty burden. Jockey won this race 12 months ago.

Form: 3-23244

Overtown Express²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: N P Madden| T: H Fry| OR: 139

8/1

Handicapped to the hilt over fences so switches back to timber off 8lb lower mark. First start over hurdles for two years though and concern he may be vulnerable.

Form: 6-1F342

Sir Mangan²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: James Bowen⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 137| D

8/1

Runner-up to useful stayer Beer Goggles on last outing over hurdles but ground to a halt at Haydock last time in desperate ground over fences. Has had a month to recover and interesting to see if there is market support for him.

Form: 1-5216P

Theligny⁷⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 137| D

6/1

Put up an improved display in similar event last time on heavy ground, failing only narrowly to win the day. 4lb higher now but is in form and has to rate among the leading contenders.

Form: 121P-72

Pearl Swan^t,v³⁹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 134| D

14/1

Has been in good form over fences winning three of his last four starts. Switches back to hurdles and did well in that sphere for Paul Nicholls in the past. Feasibly handicapped on old form so worth a market check.

Form: 6/21411-

Cave Top⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 132| BF| CD

10/1

Has risen 22lb in the weights this term courtesy of three good successes between October-December, including two here. Disappointing when beaten favourite over this C&D last time and on that evidence the handicapper may well have his measure.

Form: 121155

Sakhee's City^p²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: A Nicol| T: P A Kirby| OR: 131

16/1

Won at Catterick off 6lb lower mark in January in testing ground and found 2m too short when staying on in fourth last time at Newcastle. Appears to be holding his form and shouldn't be too far away back at his optimum trip.

Form: 4-42154

Applesandpierres^p²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 128| C| D

8/1

A win and a second place from his two visits to Uttoxeter and has been knocking on the door of late. Probably found minimum trip too sharp for him last time when at Chepstow and likely to be in the thick of the action here.

Form: 1-55822

Hitherjacques Lady⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 128| DWS

8/1

Won twice in heavy ground last term and not disgraced when third in listed company earlier this campaign. Pulled up latest and now returns from wind surgery. Any market move would be worth taking into account.

Form: 110-33P

Fleminport²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 127| D

4/1

Wins in a maiden and a novice hurdle of late suggest he is going very much the right way and is unpenalised for latest success in heavy ground. Could be more improvement on the cards and another good show expected on handicap bow.

Form: P2-3711

Solstice Star^t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Harry Stock⁽⁵⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 125| D

20/1

Second in this race 12 months ago off 7lb higher. Form of his second to Mister Whittaker in November (chase) franked by that horse winning at Cheltenham Festival this week, but has struggled last two starts. Handicapper gives him a chance though.

Form: 324566

Du Soleil^h1⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: T Scudamore| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 123| C

8/1

Unexposed gelding winner of 3-6 so far. Has failed to complete two of last three starts but did run well off level weghts in between when second to subsequent Imperial Cup hero, so has chance with a clear round.

Form: 1/3-1F2P

Forecasts

Fleminport (4/1), Theligny (6/1), Hitherjacques Lady (8/1), Applesandpierres (8/1), Overtown Express (8/1), Sir Mangan (8/1), Du Soleil (8/1), Clyne (10/1), Cave Top (10/1), Pearl Swan (14/1), Sakhee's City (16/1), Solstice Star (20/1)

This is a cracking heat with most of the runners having genuine claims on their best form. A narrow vote goes to FLEMINPORT who has possibly been given a chance to shine on handicap debut after two wins at a lower level. Clyne is a grand sort and won't be far away taking a drop in class, while at the other end of the weights Du Soleil has good claims if he can put in a clean round. Solstice Star, Applesandpierres, and Theligny also come into the reckoning in a wide open contest.