16:55 Uttoxeter

Friday 18 October 2019

All14:1014:4515:1515:5016:2016:55

Optimum Pay Group Handicap Chase

Off time: 16:56 | Winning time: 6m 36.8s

Sonoftheking^p,t²¹⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Matt Griffiths| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 100| D

9/1

Have to go back to early 2017 to find the last time he got his head in front, disappointing in the main again last year and at the age of 11, clearly best days well behind him; this is easier, but no great record fresh, so others preferred.

Form: 244/465-

Carlo Rocks²⁰⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: S Bowen| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 97| D

7/2

Has ability but becoming hard to win with, and has spurned similar opportunities to this on more than one occasion; if it all clicks, he could take this, and any more rain probably a plus, but he comes with risk.

Form: 49/5243-

Brigadier Bob^p¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: J E Moore| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 97| D

3/1

Possibly a lucky winner at Huntingdon on latest start, leader running out when going well, but that was at least another step in the right direction. May not want a lot more rain, and up another 5lb for that win, but is at least in good heart.

Form: 76P5-21

Timcoda^t¹⁷⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 93WS

6/1

Form to date nothing much to write home about, but is at least unexposed and open to some improvement which is a possibility after a wind operation; not totally discounted, but it takes a leap of faith to get with him now.

Form: 9663UP-

Sigurd^p,t³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Henry Brooke| T: Miss J E Foster| OR: 92

16/1

Modest hurdle/chaser that's just 1-30 under all codes, stuck at it to finish a well-beaten fourth at Bangor in August but others make far more persuasive cases.

Form: 35-46P4

Onurbike^p,t¹⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 10-10| J: Lee Edwards| T: J G O'Neill| OR: 84| D

13/2

Veteran that's found a new lease of life on last two starts, jumped boldly and found plenty for pressure to hang on at Bangor on latest start; more rain the better his chance, and despite a 5lb rise, has less to prove than plenty of these.

Form: 4/PP51-1

Moores Novelty¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: Tristan Durrell⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 77| BF| D

3/1

Money poured in for him on debut here earlier in the month for the yard, went off odds-on but was already looking cooked when falling four out and he's clearly no star; potential remains for better but comes with plenty of risk now.

Form: PP12-4F

Sussex Road^p¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: T J Phelan| T: A Sadik| OR: 44

100/1

Rated just 44 and well-known for picking up prizemoney in novice chases that fall apart at the declaration stage, hence his career earnings of over £21,000 despite being winless in 57 starts; needs snookers, and lots of them.

Form: 444545

Forecasts

Brigadier Bob (3/1), Moores Novelty (3/1), Carlo Rocks (7/2), Timcoda (6/1), Onurbike (13/2), Sonoftheking (9/1), Sigurd (16/1), Sussex Road (100/1)

Moores Novelty was backed as if defeat was out of the question on his debut for the yard but wasn't going anywhere quickly when falling, and may not be entirely straightforward. Timcoda is a dangerous lurker if he can be coaxed back to form but with the prospect of a bit more rain, ONURBIKE is taken to enjoy conditions the most and score again. He's hard to beat on a going day, and he's had one of those last time out at Bangor. Brigadier Bob was possibly fortunate to score at Huntingdon but at least that was a better effort.