13:05 Uttoxeter

Monday 31 December 2018

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

Sun Racing Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 13:05 | Winning time: 6m 13.20s

Ardlethen⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

9/4

Fell on rules debut at Bangor last month but was well held at the time. Needs to prove his confidence hasn't been dented and may need more time to adapt after showing only modest ability in point-to-points.

Form: 1F

Cinderfella²⁹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: J E Moore| T: Kerry Lee

28/1

Not delivered on early promise shown in bumpers and hard to recommend after poor hurdles efforts and a long absence. Others more appealing this time.

Form: 45/43-

Dusky Hercules^p²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe

5/1

Wasn't fluent on hurdles debut and flattered to deceive when fading out of contention at Plumpton at the start of this month. Big improvement required. The step up in trip can help.

Form: 7-54

Full Tilt²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: M Hamill⁽³⁾| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls

7/1

Winner of a point-to-point and definite signs of ability in this sphere when third of nine on hurdles debut at Chepstow earlier in the month. Big chance if taking a further step forward.

Form: 381-3

Good And Hardy²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien

7/1

Fished in very close proximity to Full Tilt at Chepstow and not much to find to reverse the form. Going the right way but his style of running suggests he wouldn't want the leaders to slip away from him too early.

Form: 4/415-4

Halloween Harry²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White

9/2

Winners in his pedigree and coped well with this sort of trip to be placed on hurdles debut at Haydock in the first week of December. Previously won a point-to-point in good style; worth considering with the Johnson/Hobbs partnership on his side.

Form: 13

J'Ai Froid²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Max Kendrick⁽⁵⁾| T: B I Case

7/1

Has the stamina for the trip but has been well held in both previous starts over hurdles. Others make more appeal this time.

Form: 52-95

Oscar Ceremony¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: N D Fehily| T: C J Mann

17/2

Cost €46,000 as a three-year-old but failed to build on what was a promising debut when he could only manage a mid-division finish in his latest start. More now required.

Form: 48

Parsonal²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: W T Kennedy| T: Mrs S J Humphrey

66/1

Modest form in point-to-points and not shown too much sparkle since being sent over hurdles. Probaly best watched until showing signs of improvement.

Form: 25353-8

Rambling River³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: T J Phelan| T: G Fierro

200/1

Pulled up on his first start after a long absence last time; very difficult to forward as one to follow on that evidence.

Form: 7-P

Voila Eric⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Benjamin Poste| T: M Scudamore

33/1

Has ability but also something to prove after weakening rapidly here last time out. Likely to do better when sent over fences, so looks like he needs more time.

Form: 26/30

Forecasts

Ardlethen (9/4), Halloween Harry (9/2), Dusky Hercules (5/1), Good And Hardy (7/1), J'Ai Froid (7/1), Full Tilt (7/1), Oscar Ceremony (17/2), Cinderfella (28/1), Voila Eric (33/1), Parsonal (66/1), Rambling River (200/1)

FULL TILT ran a race full of promise last time out and is expected to have derived plenty from the run. The Kim Bailey-trained gelding can confirm superiority over Good And Hardy along the way and looks a solid option here. Halloween Harry is a likely type for a race of this nature and is also highly respected, while Ardlenthen also merits consideration despite falling last time.