13:55 Uttoxeter

Saturday 7 April 2018

All13:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:25

Betfred TV Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:57 | Winning time: 4m 10.5s

Radical Archie⁵¹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-1| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 102

14/1

Midfield finish in a Chepstow maiden hurdle last year hinted at ability but going nowhere at present and did no better for the switch to handicaps last time. May improve but in truth, has to.

Form: 466-7PP

Jaunty Thor⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 12-1| J: Mr Robert Hawker⁽³⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 102| CD

16/1

Is a C&D winner that acts in the ground so has some plus points, but this mark looks high enough on his return to hurdles after some moderate efforts over fences this winter. Missing the usual headgear too and others preferred.

Form: 7-3624P

Dartagnan Le Dun^t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 12-1| J: C Gethings| T: A M Hales| OR: 102

9/1

Highly tried in three starts for this yard and will find things happening a bit slower for him here, which will help. Not disgraced at Bangor last time and has had wind surgery recently, so could yet progress. Not discounted if handling the ground.

Form: 0569P7

Whispering Harry^t²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Jason Dixon⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 99| D

9/2

Not the force he once was but has at least found his level, not beaten far after settling a slow pace at Towcester last time. Have to go back to 2015 to find the last time he won, though, and on that, better options for the win.

Form: 7U62P3

Akula^p,t⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Houlihan| T: B Leavy| OR: 97| CD

7/1

A regular in these low-level contests and has no issue with conditions, as he showed when a close third over C&D in heavy ground here in January. Overall win record is moderate but he looks more likely to run his race than a few here.

Form: 293364

Glimpse Of Gold^t⁷¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Harry Reed| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 96| CD

20/1

Some moderate looking form figures but is a C&D winner (on better ground) and is well handicapped these days. Also has one of the best conditionals booked and on those scores alone, has to be given chances here.

Form: 12-75UP

Hartside^t,v¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Tom Broughton⁽⁷⁾| T: P Winks| OR: 93| D

11/2

Pops up now and then and got his name on the scoresheet at Doncaster in February. Mainly solid efforts this year and handles the ground, would appreciate a good pace to come off and not out of it if getting one.

Form: 344153

Catchin Time^p,t⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: Charlie Hammond⁽³⁾| T: L Hurley| OR: 93| CD

7/1

C&D winner and won't mind the ground either, but recent form is not good and despite being well backed at Towcester last time, ran well below form. Hard to make a solid case for in present frame of mind.

Form: 548745

Flanagans Field^p,t⁴⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: Robert Williams⁽³⁾| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 92| D

7/2

Rarely wins but record of placings speaks for itself, came from a mile back to grab third at Ffos Las latest but never looked the winner. Likely to hit the frame again with conditions no problem.

Form: 234443

Helamis²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Harry Teal⁽³⁾| T: B Leavy| OR: 79| D

11/1

Well treated on historical form and has won in heavy ground, so conditions fine. Came back off a two year break recently and despite 50/1 price tag, wasn't disgraced. Good jockey booking and if coming on from that, can be considered.

Form: P1645/5

Forecasts

Flanagans Field (7/2), Whispering Harry (9/2), Hartside (11/2), Catchin Time (7/1), Akula (7/1), Dartagnan Le Dun (9/1), Helamis (11/1), Radical Archie (14/1), Jaunty Thor (16/1), Glimpse Of Gold (20/1)

As ever in these low-grade handicaps (especially in what promises to be very slow ground) some caution needs to be advised, as a strange result can easily be thrown up. It may be worth throwing a small each-way bet on HELAMIS at the foor of the handicap, as she didn't shape too badly on her reappearance, has little weight and the services of the excellent Harry Teal as well. She wouldn't need to improve that much to take a hand here. Flanagans Field hits the frame with regularity and may do so again. Dartagnan Le Dun may have more to offer and a market move would be interesting. Hartside and Glimpse Of Gold are others to consider in a tricky opener.