15:15 Uttoxeter

Friday 1 November 2019

All12:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:20

Holdcroft Volvo Stoke Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:16 | Winning time: 5m 35.7s

Beni Light¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: R Johnson| T: D A Rees| OR: 98| BF| CD

5/1

Off the mark over C&D on debut for current yard off 8lb lower mark and beaten favourite in three starts since, although not disgraced. Appears in the grip of the handicapper at present.

Form: 111223

Joly Maker²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Adrian Heskin| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 98| BF

11/1

Scored at just the second time of asking over fences when battling home at Southwell (2m) last month off 6lb lower mark. Beaten favourite when third in Wincanton handicap hurdle last time and reverts to fences. Should stay.

Form: 336513

Rollerball Rocco²²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: C J Todd⁽⁷⁾| T: C T Pogson| OR: 95| BF| C

9/1

Won in heavy ground here over 3m in December off 14lb lower mark. Went close off just 4lb lower at Southwell in March but not seen since modest fourth at Bangor soon after. Drop back in trip not sure to suit and has it do off current rating.

Form: 7/P1424-

Carlo Rocks¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: S Bowen| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 95

10/1

Lighty raced but nearly four years without a win. May have needed run after seven-month absence when fading from 2 out here last month to finish fourth over 3m. Drop in trip makes sense and is now 2lb lower.

Form: 9/5243-4

Redmond^t²⁰⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: L P Aspell| T: Noel Williams| OR: 94

12/1

Very hit and miss for Jack Barber last two season but did win over 2m5f at Fontwell in February 2018 in heavy ground off this mark. Debut for new yard and interesting to see if he attracts any market interest.

Form: 37P25P-

Honourmission²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 93

25/1

Showed little form in six outing for Harry Whittington at up to 2m4f, and hardly set the world alight on debut for current yard when fifth of nine at Hexham last month. May be better for the run and is 2lb lower now.

Form: 790-UP5

Ballybreen³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 91

50/1

Won three-runner point-to-point in March 2018 but made no impression under Rules last season and was tailed off last of 7 on seasonal return last month. Hard to enthuse over.

Form: 1/5598-7

Scartare^p⁷²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Mrs R Gasson| OR: 87

20/1

Frustrating 25-race maiden who finished runner-up four times in succession at Southwell earlier this year. Continues to run with credit but doesn't look the heartiest battler and others are readily preferred.

Form: 2-22354

Heavenly Promise¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: C Brace⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 80

5/6

Landed first win for 18 months when scoring at Sedgefield recently over 2m5f in conditional riders handicap. Unpenalised for that easy win and has fine prospects if in similar mood. Handles soft ground well.

Form: P-UP321

Forecasts

Heavenly Promise (5/6), Beni Light (5/1), Rollerball Rocco (9/1), Carlo Rocks (10/1), Joly Maker (11/1), Redmond (12/1), Scartare (20/1), Honourmission (25/1), Ballybreen (50/1)

Not too many with obvious chances so recent Sedgefield scorer HEAVENLY PROMISE may well follow up as she is unpenalised for that smooth success in a conditional riders' event. Carlo Rocks should have come on for a seasonal pipe-opener and could be dangerous, along with Joly Maker, back over fences after finishing third at Wincanton recently. Scartare and Honourmission are others who may get involved.