16:30 Uttoxeter

Saturday 30 March 2019

All14:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:0517:35

Marstons Friends Through Business Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:31 | Winning time: 6m 2.50s

Master Tradesman³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: James Best| T: R Mitford-Slade| OR: 111

20/1

Went very close in Bangor maiden hurdle last April but has struggled in handicaps since then. Drop in grade and 4lb higher mark may help but has a point or two to prove.

Form: 22-85P6

Landofsmiles⁸²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 110

11/2

Steps up in trip having looked rather one paced over 2m4f of late. Rider in fine form at present and 2lb lower rating could help the cause.

Form: 3-46476

Little Millie^b1⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: N B King| OR: 109

7/2

First-time blinkers applied after solid run over a little further at Hereford last time. Stamina not an issue but remains a maiden under Rules and clearly finds winning a formidable task.

Form: 446342

Transpennine Star^b1²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽⁵⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 108

10/3

Flat winner but has yet to get his head in front over timber although has placed in 7-9. Wears blinkers for the first time and once again looks sure to be thereabouts with top conditional rider on board.

Form: 2-83433

Sartene's Son^t⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: G Sheehan| T: R Bevis| OR: 107

25/1

10-race maiden whose best placed form has come when the mud has been flying. Ground should be plenty fast enough for him but should be sharper for a recent pipe-opener for new connections.

Form: 333-P76

Old Harry Rocks^p³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr D Skehan⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 107

20/1

Last success came in Leicester selling hurdle when trained by Harry Fry in November 2017. Probably stays this trip although best form appears to be over shorter. Others are preferred.

Form: 186-770

Nifty At Fifty³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: David Noonan| T: J Scott| OR: 105

14/1

Yet to place in seven attempts but was respectable fourth in Taunton novice hurdle in December. Mixed messages in two starts since but worth a try over this longer trip.

Form: 65B494

Moonlight Dancer^p³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 101WS

15/2

Disappointing so far in six starts and has first outing since wind surgery running off 2lb lower mark then when well beaten in handicap at Wincanton last month. Top yard will have to work its magic if she is to score.

Form: 53-54P7

Kingston³¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: R T Dunne| T: A W Carroll| OR: 101| C

25/1

10-63 over hurdles and fences but has always given the impression he's at his best at around 2m4f. Longer trip looks a minus and is hard to recommend on that basis.

Form: 14U465

Dovils Date^t²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Charlie Price⁽⁷⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 101| C

14/1

11 wins under both codes for this fine servant who shaped well at big odds when good third at Southwell (3m) latest. Repeat of that effort off 1lb lower mark with 7lb conditional rider on board would give him a soldi chance.

Form: 940-443

Air Glider³⁸⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: D R Fox| T: Sean Conway| OR: 100

66/1

Failed tos core uner Ruled for Dan Skelton in 2016 and has been racing between the flags since then. Pulled up in point-to-point earlier this month and is very hard to enthuse over.

Form: PPU66P-

Bignorm²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Mrs R Gasson| OR: 86

13/2

Showed nothing in first five starts but better latest when fourth at Southwell over 3m off 2lb higher mark. Not out of it if taking a step forward from that run.

Form: 888054

Simply Lucky^t¹⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: Danny McMenamin⁽⁷⁾| T: M E Sowersby| OR: 84| CD

25/1

Won twice last spring for Dan Skelton including over C&D. Easing down the handicap for new handler after showing patchy form but not beaten out of sight last time and promsing conditional takes over claiming 7lb.

Form: 5F3666

Non-Runners

Tamarillo Grove¹⁷⁸

Weight: 11-10| Age: 12

T: Mrs S Leech J: R Johnson

Forecasts

Transpennine Star (10/3), Little Millie (7/2), Landofsmiles (11/2), Bignorm (13/2), Moonlight Dancer (15/2), Tamarillo Grove (12/1), Nifty At Fifty (14/1), Dovils Date (14/1), Old Harry Rocks (20/1), Master Tradesman (20/1), Sartene's Son (25/1), Simply Lucky (25/1), Kingston (25/1), Air Glider (66/1)

Although he is fully exposed and holds no surprises, DOVILS DATE looks the safest option in a race heavily populated by frustrating performers. He looked to be running into form at Southwell last time. Transpennine Star shoudl be thereabouts as usual and his good young rider might help focus his mind, while Nifty At Fifty and Big Norm are others in with a shout in a very open affair.