14:10 Uttoxeter

Wednesday 6 June 2018

All13:4014:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:4017:10

Andrew Thornton Congratulations On Your Retirement Handicap Hurdle (Div 2)

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 3m 54.3s

Hit And Run^p⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 12-3| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 102

6/1

Is back in a winning grade for him, having come good at Sedgefield last December the last time he raced in a Class 5, so has that going for him, but might want softer ground to show his very best. Chance, but a risky proposition at present.

Form: 3282-6V

Hatem^p⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 12-2| J: P J Brennan| T: C R Dore| OR: 101

25/1

Second in a seller at Fakenham the recent highlight but that form needs improving on, and other efforts, including a mulish display last time out, leave plenty to be desired.

Form: 469-236

Goal^p,t¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Miss N Parker⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss T Watkins| OR: 97| D

9/1

Ran a little better than his finishing position suggested last time out, as he only weakened out of it late and wasn't beaten far, but he simply doesn't win enough races to be considered the likely winner here.

Form: 6U73-96

Bridey's Lettuce⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: A Pogson| T: C T Pogson| OR: 96

33/1

Won a seller on the Flat last year but since then has shown very little, and like many from the yard, he pulls too hard in his races. Well beaten last time out and hard to see why he should do any better here.

Form: 0637-P

For Jim²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: David Noonan| T: J Candlish| OR: 96

14/1

Went close at Bangor in April but then took a backwards step at Sedgefield last time out, finishing his race off weakly. Might prefer slower ground and on that, others make more appeal.

Form: 66652-7

Borak²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Robert Williams⁽³⁾| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 94| D

11/2

Doesn't win many but tends to run his race more often than not, as was the case again last time when fourth at Wincanton. Nothing wrong with conditions here and may challenge for the places once again.

Form: 3756/3-4

Edward Elgar²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: A Thornton| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 93| D

10/1

Has ability at this level but often looks hard work, taking plenty of driving as he can race on and off the bit. Capable of the surprise off this mark and no doubt jockey Andrew Thornton would like a winner on his final day.

Form: 63045-4

Hoponandsee⁶⁵¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 89| BF

3/1

First start for new yard, having previously been with George Baker, but this will also be his first start for the best part of two years. Handicapper has hardly been kind either, but is unexposed, so worth a look in the market for support.

Form: 63P754/

Peggy's Acre¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: A W Short⁽⁵⁾| T: P Stafford| OR: 87

50/1

Yet to get close to winning in 13 starts and is really only of interest as her trainer brings her over from Ireland, and Irish runners do have a good record a the track. Only of interest if there's sustained market support though.

Form: 30PR-08

Anton Dolin⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: Lewis Stones⁽⁷⁾| T: M Mullineaux| OR: 86| D

5/1

A regular in these races and knows his way around here blindfold. Doesn't always find a lot for pressure but ran well enough last time to think he could be on the premises for the places if he's on a going day.

Form: 4335P-3

He's A Toff^b¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-8| J: Page Fuller⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss J S Davis| OR: 82

66/1

Has the scope for hurdling but proving most disappointing and finished tailed doff here last time out. Good jockey booking but that's the only positive that can be taken.

Form: P960-0

Hey Bob^t²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Callum Bewley⁽³⁾| T: C Grant| OR: 75| D

16/1

Just the one win in 38 starts, that coming at Southwell in November but has since reverted to type with a couple of moderate efforts. Inconsistency means he can't be backed with any confidence here.

Form: 45013-0

Medieval Bishop⁴⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Edward Austin⁽⁷⁾| T: A Forbes| OR: 71

50/1

More letters than numbers in his hurdling form, gave up the ghost pretty quickly at Bangor once headed last time and has no realistic chance here.

Form: 36BP/PP-

Forecasts

Hoponandsee (3/1), Anton Dolin (5/1), Borak (11/2), Hit And Run (6/1), Goal (9/1), Edward Elgar (10/1), For Jim (14/1), Hey Bob (16/1), Hatem (25/1), Bridey's Lettuce (33/1), Medieval Bishop (50/1), Peggy's Acre (50/1), He's A Toff (66/1)

This looks the weaker of the two divisions. Edward Elgar would be a fitting winner for Andrew Thornton in the race named after him, and we wish him well in retirement. He's got two ways of going, but if he's got out of bed the right side, will have a chance. Anton Dolin has a similar profile and might hit the places, but the two that would be interesting if attracting support would be Irish raider Peggy's Acre and HOPONANDSEE, having his first run for Nigel Twiston-Davies today. In the lat 12 months he's 4-12 with them first time up from other yards, and on that, he gets the vote.