14:10 Uttoxeter

Monday 25 February 2019

All14:1014:4015:1015:4516:1516:50

Abode Estate Agents Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:11 | Winning time: 3m 55.0s

Catchin Time^p³⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Edward Austin⁽⁷⁾| T: L Hurley| OR: 96| BF| CD

15/2

Has won from a higher mark but presently looks weighted to the limit. Couldn't exploit a slight drop in the ratings latest and probably needs some latitude from the assessor. Stiff test under top weight despite the rider's 7lb claim.

Form: 232348

Brigadoon²⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 11-9| J: Jack Sherwood⁽³⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 93| BF

33/1

Won on the Flat last summer but well held on the AW last month when returning from a break. Yet to win over hurdles and not seen over jumps since 2016; not too difficult to overlook this time.

Form: 643PP4/

Choochoobugaloo^t⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 92| D

5/2

Has thrived since joining her current yard; culminating with a comfortable win in a low-key mares only race at Kelso last month. Up 14lb for success but possible she can find more now she's found her level. One to bear in mind.

Form: P9-2331

Mercer's Troop⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 97| BF

4/1

0-5 over hurdles so far and form has been mixed. The gelding finished second on his penultimate start (in a better race than this) and would have solid claims if running to that form. Needs to banish a memory of a poor run last time though.

Form: 07729

Timely Gift⁴⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 87| D

16/1

Lightly raced and possible something amiss when pulled up latest. Better judged on his previous effort when winning a small field handicap at Ffos Las in November. The betting can guide as to whether he's over what was troubling him last time.

Form: 405/71P-

Man Of The North^p³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Lee Edwards| T: A W Carroll| OR: 86

12/1

Showed a good attitude when running above expectations to win over an extended 2m at Doncaster late last month. A 3lb rise looks very fair but that was a weak race. Had been inconsistent previously so not one to trust implicitly.

Form: 90PU71

Boutan²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: L Heard| T: G Harris| OR: 86

8/1

Won three times in selling grade on the Flat (plus her maiden success as a youngster). Yet to get her head in front over jumps but has gone close several times (including once over C&D). Another worth considering for a place at least.

Form: 026-3U4

Hurricane Rita^p⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: C Brace⁽⁷⁾| T: C R Dore| OR: 86| D

16/1

Well handicapped just now but recent form has been mixed; unseated after being hampered last time, so still harsh to judge her on that effort. Likes to get her toe in so drying ground will count against the mare.

Form: 54856U

Dragon Khan^t⁵⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Mrs R Gasson| OR: 82| D

16/1

Well held over C&D on New Year's Eve but might have been in need of the run on that occasion. Has snippets of form that suggest he's capable of holding his own at this level but best form has been posted with plenty of give underfoot.

Form: 75324-9

Grand Coureur²⁸²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: C Gethings| T: B Leavy| OR: 81

33/1

Still a maiden and form since joining his current yard has been poor. Others more likely winners on face value.

Form: 02PP-P6

Time For Champers^h²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: R Patrick⁽³⁾| T: Mrs N S Evans| OR: 80

16/1

Hasn't stood much racing over the last few season and has only ever made the frame once in the whole of her seventeen-race career. Has failed to complete in almost a third of her starts and makes limited appeal after another moderate effort latest.

Form: 6/2-R670

Remember Nerja⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Mr Jason Dixon⁽⁷⁾| T: B Leavy| OR: 79

22/1

A maiden under both codes and form over hurdles has been particularly poor so far. Hard to recommend even in a low grade event such as this.

Form: 66856

Kayf Tiger^p,t⁴¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: C J Todd⁽⁷⁾| T: M Sheppard| OR: 65

16/1

Advancing in years but not ability and faces a very stiff test from out of the weights. Finished tailed off last time and would be very surprising if the gelding managed to find anywhere near the improvement required.

Form: 3563-88

Non-Runners

Canadian George⁴⁶

Weight: 11-2| Age: 4

T: J Candlish J: Sean Quinlan

Forecasts

Choochoobugaloo (5/2), Mercer's Troop (4/1), Catchin Time (15/2), Boutan (8/1), Canadian George (10/1), Man Of The North (12/1), Time For Champers (16/1), Dragon Khan (16/1), Hurricane Rita (16/1), Kayf Tiger (16/1), Timely Gift (16/1), Remember Nerja (22/1), Grand Coureur (33/1), Brigadoon (33/1)

A modest opening contest can go the way of CHOOCHOOBUGALOO, who heads the small minority of runners that arrive here in good enough form to merit consideration. The mare won well last time out and, despite a hefty rise in the weights, she could hardly have been found a weaker contest for her follow up bid. Hurricane Rita is well handicapped just now and can go close if she handles the ground. Similar comments apply to Dragon Khan, who might just have needed the run when last seen and doesn't have much to find at this level. Support in the betting for Timely Gift would also be noteworthy.