15:10 Uttoxeter

Wednesday 6 June 2018

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

Michael Plant Memorial Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 5m 39.50s

Bafana Blue^t¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Dale Irving⁽³⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 99

20/1

Yard in decent form at present, and this one added to their tally at Hexham last time, battling on well after the last for a length win. Up 6lb but still on a fair mark historically, and if getting this slightly longer trip, has chances.

Form: 5P49-81

Too Much Too Soon^p,t⁷^{(ex 7)}

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 91

13/8

Put the disappointment of his Market Rasen defeat behind him with an easy success at Warwick last week, and although the form isn't strong, it at least shows he's going the right way now. Penalty to carry but conditions fine.

Form: 13/22-31

Elkstone^p1,h¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: S Bowen| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 93| BF

12/1

Often a weak finisher in these events and that was the case again at Market Rasen last time when finding little for pressure. This is a stronger race anyway and he'll likely as not find something to beat him again.

Form: 5244-22

Canadian Steel^t¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: D R Fox| T: N C Kelly| OR: 93

33/1

Did win an Irish point-to-point last October and although he's shown little on his last couple of starts, has to be of interest given the yard's raids here often prove fruitful - they are 6-21 here last five years. Of interest on that stat alone.

Form: F123-P0

Summer Getaway^p,t1²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Sean Houlihan⁽⁵⁾| T: Nick Mitchell| OR: 93

25/1

Was well fancied to score at Fontwell two starts back but disappointed, ran a little better than finishing position suggested at Newton Abbot last time as he appeared not to get the trip. Risky now, but may improve for drop back in trip.

Form: 8P95-P4

Westerberry¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: A Thornton| T: J W Mullins| OR: 92

33/1

Hasn't really shown enough over fences as yet to make him of interest here, distant third at Towcester last time (form weak, winner well beaten next time) and seems to have jumping issues. Hard to fancy.

Form: P06P-F3

Posh Totty²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-13| J: Bryony Le Clerc⁽³⁾| T: Jack Barber| OR: 86| BF

3/1

Remains in good form and likely to try and make all the running here, as she did when successful at Warwick in April. Jumps well, stays well and no reason for her not to run her race again. Has to be shortlisted.

Form: 21221-2

Be Seeing You^t²⁸⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: M Sheppard| OR: 82| D

20/1

Just two wins in 36 starts, the last of those coming back in 2015, and didn't shown anywhere near enough on chase debut at Worcester last time to make him of interest here. Plenty to prove now.

Form: 04/6348-

Not At All²²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 80WS

20/1

Has the size and scope to make a chaser but has been most disappointing to date, looking a weak finisher at times and hasn't got anywhere near winning one. Still time to turn it around, but has plenty of questions to answer now.

Form: 695656-

Psychocandy^p,t1¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: R T Dunne| T: Ian Williams| OR: 79

5/1

Is getting the hang of things now, and turned in her best effort to date when third at Warwick last time. Could do with her jumping tidying up a touch, and if doing so, should find this trip ideal. Tongue strap added, and holds a good chance.

Form: PFP9-33

Grow Nasa Grow¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Ryan Winks⁽⁵⁾| T: P Winks| OR: 79

25/1

Came good at Market Rasen last time but you'd have to go a long way to find a weaker contest. Up 3lb and this is stronger, so needs more today. Others preferred.

Form: P345-71

Come On Louis^p1,t¹⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-4| J: W T Kennedy| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 77

33/1

No win in 11 starts but did go close over hurdles here last September. Might have needed her latest run at Bangor after an absence, should strip fitter here but still asking a lot for her to win on chasing debut in a tough little heat.

Form: 843P7-6

Jackofhearts²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Mrs J C McGregor| OR: 72

25/1

Has dropped to a basement mark now, better effort at Perth when runner-up last time but overall record of no wins in 31 starts rather tempers confidence that he'll put it in again. Not hard to look elsewhere for the winner.

Form: 35654-2

Non-Runners

Loch Garman Aris⁴⁵

Weight: 11-1| Age: 8

T: G Hanmer J: Lee Edwards

Forecasts

Too Much Too Soon (13/8), Posh Totty (3/1), Psychocandy (5/1), Elkstone (12/1), Bafana Blue (20/1), Not At All (20/1), Be Seeing You (20/1), Grow Nasa Grow (25/1), Summer Getaway (25/1), Jackofhearts (25/1), Loch Garman Aris (25/1), Come On Louis (33/1), Westerberry (33/1), Canadian Steel (33/1)

A tricky one to solve. Canadian Steel needs a glance in the market for a yard that do well here, and there's still time for Not At All to show his form to date to be all wrong, but preference at this stage is for PSYCHOCANDY, who is progressing nicely and looks ready to strike after a good effort at Warwick last time. The tongue strap might help her finishing effort and she can score. Posh Totty might be the one to catch after some solid runs from the front. Too Much Too Soon comes from a yard in great form and shouldn't be dismissed.