12:35 Uttoxeter

Monday 31 December 2018

All12:3513:0513:4014:1014:4515:1515:45

Ever So Sensible Restaurants Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:35 | Winning time: 4m 6.10s

Delface^p¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 99| D

9/2

Takena little time to get the ball rolling again after wind surgery but his latest starts was encouraging. Not dismissed but stiff test at the weights.

Form: 73-6663

Blue Skimmer¹⁰²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Lee Edwards| T: A Ralph| OR: 98

9/2

Average on the Flat in Ireland but has shown an aptitude for the Jumping side of things and may be open to more progress. Not particularly well treated from his current mark on debut for a new yard though.

Form: 0/0-3230

Dartagnan Le Dun^t⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Bannister| T: A M Hales| OR: 97

9/1

Form difficult to assess just now and probably best watched having unseated his rider at the first obstacle at Ludlow in November; that was after an absence since April. Plenty to prove.

Form: 69P77-U

Game In The Park^t²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Charlie Hammond⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs Tracey Barfoot-Saunt| OR: 96

66/1

Shown little in starts under rules and arrives here with a stiff test ahead. Others look more accomplished at this stage.

Form: PP-0560

Mullaghboy^b⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Philip Armson⁽⁷⁾| T: Sean Conway| OR: 95| D

66/1

Poor form to his name from recent starts and difficult to see the gelding having enough in reserve to maintain a sustained challenge.

Form: 686776

Georgian Firebird^t²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: C Gethings| T: B Leavy| OR: 93| D

10/1

Chased home a potentially decent type over C&D last time out and possibilities of a place in the frame with a similar effort in this modest company today.

Form: 63P-PF2

Aza Run⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: S A Harris| OR: 89| CD

25/1

Reverts to hurdles on a 2lb lower mark than for his C&D win from last November and makes plenty of appeal on the pick of his efforts. Certainly worth considering.

Form: 6354-97

Micras^b,t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: M Sheppard| OR: 87| D

14/1

Not the most consistent but posted a reasonable effort at Leicester on her latest start; place claims once more here.

Form: 3-5F072

Flanagans Field^p¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: R Johnson| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 85| D

8/1

Best over this sort of trip but wouldn't want the ground to be too soft; back on a winning mark, so also a very feasible chance at the weights. Shortlisted.

Form: 4430-56

Richardofdoccombe^t²⁵²

Age: 12| Weight: 10-11| J: Kieron Edgar⁽³⁾| T: Miss G Haywood| OR: 84

16/1

Runner up in this race last year from just a 2lb lower mark. Lightly raced since but a bold effort not rules out; one to monitor closely in the betting.

Form: P/324F9-

Tara Well^p¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽⁷⁾| T: R Dickin| OR: 84

14/1

Gone well at this course before now and versatile regarding the trip. The rider's claim helps but the mare needs to be at the top of her game.

Form: 4825-45

Dragon Khan^t²⁶⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Mrs R Gasson| OR: 84| D

25/1

Fifth in this race last year and fared well in a limited amount of subsequent starts. Has a bit to find with Richardofdoccombe and long absence is also a concern.

Form: 675324-

Blue April^b²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Matt Griffiths| T: J Scott| OR: 83

4/1

Back to form in a weak event last time out and is on a winning mark just now. Not much to find to take a hand and could represent good value.

Form: 1926-02

Right Royals Day^t¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: J E Moore| T: J L Needham| OR: 75

50/1

Best effort to dare came when fourth in a claimer at Huntingdon last month but stars in handicaps have been very modest. Another who is difficult to recommend with any confidence.

Form: 0/93405

Admiral Spice¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 10-1| J: P J Brennan| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 87

20/1

Not shown much in starts over hurdles so far and not too difficult to omit from the betting plans on this occasion.

Form: 588

Non-Runners

Sporty Yankee¹⁷

Weight: 11-5| Age: 5

T: A Sadik J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Blue April (4/1), Delface (9/2), Blue Skimmer (9/2), Flanagans Field (8/1), Dartagnan Le Dun (9/1), Georgian Firebird (10/1), Micras (14/1), Tara Well (14/1), Richardofdoccombe (16/1), Admiral Spice (20/1), Dragon Khan (25/1), Aza Run (25/1), Sporty Yankee (33/1), Right Royals Day (50/1), Game In The Park (66/1), Mullaghboy (66/1)

A chance is taken on FLANAGANS FIELD thriving now he's back over a more appropriate trip. The gelding can be fancied to make the most of being back on a winning mark and he edges the nomination ahead of Aza Run and Georgian Firebird. Support for either Blue April or Delface would also be noteworthy.