15:40 Uttoxeter

Sunday 27 May 2018

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

Clarke Chase (Handicap) (For The Sir Stanley And Lady Clarke Challenge Trophy)

Off time: 15:41 | Winning time: 4m 53.20s

Hammersly Lake²²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 153| D

33/1

In fine form last summer winning three races (2m-2m5f+), earning a trip to the US for the Grand National (hurdle) at Far Hills in October. No joy there and pulled up at this course early in the month on return when well held.

Form: 2215P-7

Shantou Village³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: R T Dunne| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 146| D

10/1

Has clearly had his issues having only had four starts since November 2016. Won twice on good ground last spring over this sort of trip at Fontwell and Sandown, very poor both subsequent starts, including last month at Cheltenham.

Form: 1F11/P0-

Days Of Heaven^h³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 146| CD

7/1

Progressing quickly this time last year (winning this race), but lost his way in four runs since. Unable to sustain effort having hit the front at Cheltenham last month (2m5f, good) and faded to beat only one rival home.

Form: 1174P0-

Henryville^h,t¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: N P Madden| T: H Fry| OR: 145| D

16/1

Failed to complete in last three chase starts, was still nicely in third at Newton Abbot this month (2m5f, good) in a race he'd won last year, only to fall. Runs off the same mark 18 days later if none the worse.

Form: 05U0P-F

Indian Stream^t³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: James Best| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 143WS

25/1

Put some ordinary efforts behind her when fourth of nine in the Mares' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival having gone off 66/1. Not as good next time and undergone wind operation since, not discounted on old chase form.

Form: 43/9P40-

Vibrato Valtat^t³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 142| BF

16/1

Multiple Graded winner, just denied in 3m good-ground handicap chase at Doncaster in December on second start for this yard. Much the best of six efforts so far for trainer, well held when backed at Newton Abbot this month (finished third).

Form: 542973-

Born Survivor¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 141| D

10/1

Two wins from six starts over fences this season since reverting to this game, and most run well. Scored this month at Southwell (2m4½f, good) though some of the jumping was omitted in that race. 4lb higher now, far from done with.

Form: 13380-1

Tommy Silver^t³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 140

10/1

Winner over fences at Leicester (2m, good to firm) in November and finished second and third in small fields following month. Last month's efforts at Aintree and Warwick leave him with plenty to find in this very competitive line-up.

Form: 1232P3-

Roman Flight^v¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: T J O'Brien| T: David Dennis| OR: 140| CD

28/1

Last won over fences at Newbury in November 2016 over this sort of trip, spent more than 500 days off and acquitted himself well on Flat at Nottingham this month on return. Since run well at Newton Abbot over fences (third, beaten 4¾L), chance.

Form: 91410/3

Vaniteux^p²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 140| D

22/1

Useful horse on his day and Grade 2-placed in December. Dropped into this company at Kempton (2m2f, good) earlier in the month and finished moderate 24L third of eight. Drops 3lb but will need to improve plenty on that showing.

Form: 74208-3

Viconte Du Noyer^t¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: D A Jacob| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 139

16/1

Decent chaser for Henry De Bromhead and winning start for this yard at Cheltenham in November 2016. Lost his way since, albeit at graded level. No improvement in handicap hurdle at Haydock this month and hard to make case for.

Form: 70PP6-0

Drumcliff^t⁷³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Miss A B O'Connor⁽⁷⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 139

10/1

Profited from some slack fencing from his main market rival when an emphatic winner of an amateur riders contest at Ascot in January (2m3f, soft) for this rider. Well held in Grade 2 novice and Cheltenham Festival handicap since and this is tough.

Form: B/0114P-

Cut The Corner¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: Lee Edwards| T: A Ralph| OR: 138| CD

14/1

Good winner of eight-runner Newton Abbot handicap chase this month (2m5f, good), has been bumped up 5lb for that score, 10-year-old now on career-high rating in competitive event.

Form: 45233-1

Some Invitation^p,t³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 136| D

13/2

Fortunate Wetherby scorer on chasing debut in November, found out in Grade 1 Kempton Novice on Boxing Day. Underwent wind operation and promising return at Cheltenham last month (3m2f, good to soft). Unexposed at the trip.

Form: 816/1P5-

Wadswick Court^b,t³¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-9| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 136| CD

14/1

Has been campaigned as a summer chaser since joining this yard. Returned with victory in soft-ground Perth handicap over his trip last month. Should give his running again off 3lb higher mark.

Form: 221651-

Valseur Du Granval^t³³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: P J Brennan| T: T R George| OR: 130

12/1

Took advantage of declining handicap mark to score at Ludlow (2m, good) last month. Runner-up in this last year from 3lb lower mark, cannot be ruled out albeit this does looked more competitive than 12 months ago.

Form: 4/25571-

Kapstadt⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-1| J: W T Kennedy| T: Ian Williams| OR: 128

7/1

Excellent effort on return from 187-day layoff when 2¾L second of five at Warwick this week on just fourth chase start. Was out of the handicap then, so races from a 4lb lower mark here. Interesting if this doesn't come too quickly.

Form: 0/3322-2

Non-Runners

Marquis Of Carabas²

Weight: 10-0| Age: 8

T: David Dennis J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Some Invitation (13/2), Days Of Heaven (7/1), Kapstadt (7/1), Drumcliff (10/1), Born Survivor (10/1), Shantou Village (10/1), Tommy Silver (10/1), Valseur Du Granval (12/1), Cut The Corner (14/1), Wadswick Court (14/1), Viconte Du Noyer (16/1), Henryville (16/1), Vibrato Valtat (16/1), Marquis Of Carabas (16/1), Vaniteux (22/1), Indian Stream (25/1), Roman Flight (28/1), Hammersly Lake (33/1)

Last year's winner Days Of Heaven has some questions to answer this time and can be opposed, with runner-up from 12 months ago Valseur Du Granval deemed more likely to go well this time. Summer chaser Wadswick Court is in good health and should run well while Kapstadt is an intriguing runner have put up an excellent effort in midweek at Warwick from a 4lb higher mark than this. SOME INVITATION shaped nicely at Cheltenham last month after undergoing wind surgery and Dan Skelton's runner could have plenty more to offer over this reduced trip.