13:40 Uttoxeter
Thursday 23 July 2020
All12:3513:1013:4014:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:40
Inside Track Racing Handicap Hurdle (Div 2)
- 4YO plus  |  Class 5  |  2m 7f 70y  |  Good (Good to Firm in places)  |  12 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 13:40Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 5m 45.55s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Placed twice in low-grade handicap hurdles (over shorter trips) last year but finished off with a weak effort at Huntingdon, heavy ground possibly to blame. Open to improvement if staying this trip, and this is a very weak event.
Placed over 23f in a handicap chase here but that was two years ago, and he's only been seen out once since then, so clearly not easy to train either. Handicapper has given him a chance but has a big absence to overcome. Cheekpieces now on.
Went close when fifth over 20f at Musselburgh at the turn of the year but that's really his only effort of any note. Needs to get back on track now, and others preferred.
Definite signs of promise in novice hurdles at Huntingdon last year but has not transferred that to handicaps as yet. Wasn't a disaster at Newton Abbot on reappearance and should come on for that, so in such a weak race, is considered.
Will be one of the leading fancies for this after his third at Newton Abbot last time (Strictly Art 8l behind) as that was only his fourth start and he should have more improvement to come now upped in trip. Big player for yard that do well here.
Still capable even into the veteran stage, twice a winner on his favoured good ground last year and this trip no issue. Still 10lb higher than last win though, and may well need this after an absence.
Two wins in 28 hurdles starts, last of those coming back in 2018, and has looked regressive for much of last season. Stays every yard of this and more, and too well handicapped to totally dismiss, but others have stronger claims.
Still a maiden after 22 starts but won't find many better opportunities than this to put that right, and he comes here off the back of a good effort at Newton Abbot, where he looked the winner at one stage before fading to third. Every chance here.
Hasn't seen a racecourse since 2015 and is surely going to need this run after such a long absence. First start for new yard too, and with so much to prove (including suitability of this trip) can only be watched today.
Only really has one effort worth a mention, that when fifth in a novice hurdle at Hexham last September but not impossible he could do better back on good ground (soft/heavy all starts in handicaps to date). Risky, but not a total no-hoper.
Looks of very limited ability these days and yard not the force of old, having only had a handful of winners last year. Others have much stonger claims to the prize.
If it is taken literally, he looks thrown in here on his fourth over C&D last week, and he was capable of better a couple of years ago. Possible they have found the key to him and with the tongue-tie now added, he has chances today.
Forecasts
Lemon Shoulder (5/2), Watching Brief (4/1), Tis Fantastic (6/1), Franz Klammer (13/2), Wherewouldugetit (8/1), Connective (10/1), Alanjou (18/1), Strictly Art (20/1), General Picton (25/1), Western Sunrise (25/1), Snowbird (28/1), The Lion Man (100/1)
If anything this looks even weaker than the first division. Franz Klammer's improved effort here last week looks suspect, to say the least, but if it wasn't a fluke then he's an obvious chance here. At a likely big price a better effort from Wherewouldugetit might not be the biggest shock, and the yard did have a winner earlier in the week, but LEMON SHOULDER is still unexposed and surely has better to come for the Skeltons. Strictly Art was behind the selection at Newton Abbot but wasn't that far behind him and could get closer here.
- Lemon Shoulder
- Strictly Art
- Wherewouldugetit
Prize Money
1st: £2,794.002nd: £820.003rd: £410.004th: £205.00
MOST READ RACING
Follow & Track
Your favourite horses, jockeys and trainers with My StableLog in
Discover Sporting Life Plus benefits
