13:50 Uttoxeter

Saturday 20 March 2021

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:1517:50

Marstons Brewery Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 6m 4.60s

Theme Tune²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 125

4/1

Much better sent hurdling up in trip this year, winning in the mud at Ludlow (21.2f) and Carlisle. Jumped poorly last time but still came out on top and capable of even better faced with this test.

Form: 6-311

Tight Call¹¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 125

25/1

Very much all or nothing with him earlier this season, winning at Southwell and Ludlow but bombing out at Taunton when last seen. Steps up in trip on first run for 4 months.

Form: 8F-1610

Saint Dalina^p²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Tom Buckley⁽⁵⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 124| CD

4/1

Bolted up in C&D handicap under this rider in December and has continued in good form, running well behind big improver/subsequent winner at Ascot in first-time cheekpieces 4 weeks ago. Top claims.

Form: 1-21243

Solstice Star^t⁷⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Kai Lenihan⁽⁷⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 123| CD

22/1

Has struggled since winning C&D handicap for lady riders at this meeting last year and needs a revival.

Form: 731-00P

Huntsmans Jog^p⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 121| BF| D

9/2

Made second start for Fergal O'Brien a winning one at Exeter (23f, heavy) in December. Not so good upped to 26f in cheekpieces at Warwick last time but still fairly lightly raced under Rules.

Form: 11-2145

Diamond Fort²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: David Bass| T: F O'Brien| OR: 121

28/1

Has struggled this term but went close in C&D handicap hurdle a couple of years back and having first run in this sphere for a while.

Form: F33-56P

The Eaglehaslanded^p,t⁹²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J Scott| OR: 120| D

22/1

Fairly useful staying handicap hurdler at his best but below form on completed starts this season. Edging down the weights, so dangerous if scaling a revival after a break.

Form: 734/7F8

Ask Henry^t¹¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 119| BF

9/1

Might have won had he stood up 2 out in 3m Taunton novice handicap hurdle when last seen in November. Unexposed as a stayer and another big run could be on the way.

Form: 1-3245F

Steal A March⁹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Aidan Coleman| T: N J Henderson| OR: 118| BF

6/1

Efforts in handicaps probably haven't got to the bottom of him since his Hereford novice win late in 2019 and remains with potential granted a stiff test like this.

Form: 4414-36

Milvale¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: A M Thomson| OR: 117| D

12/1

Ploughed through the Kelso mud when opening account over hurdles last season and been shaping up okay this term, including on chase debut last time. Will relish a slog.

Form: 1-68434

Hot Ryan^t¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Bryan Carver⁽³⁾| T: C Honour| OR: 106| D

10/1

Progressive handicap hurdler for David Pipe in 2019 and shaped as if better for run after 17 months off/wind op at Taunton recently. Not totally dismissed if building on that.

Form: 21132-6

Non-Runners

I'd Better Go Now¹⁰⁰

Weight: 11-9| Age: 8

T: D Skelton J: Harry Skelton

Forecasts

Saint Dalina (4/1), Theme Tune (4/1), Huntsmans Jog (9/2), Steal A March (6/1), I'd Better Go Now (8/1), Ask Henry (9/1), Hot Ryan (10/1), Milvale (12/1), Solstice Star (22/1), The Eaglehaslanded (22/1), Tight Call (25/1), Diamond Fort (28/1)

THEME TUNE wasn't all that fluent at Carlisle but still came out on top and likely has plenty more to offer as his jumping improves. This sterner test will suit him and he can get the hat-trick up on his handicap debut. Saint Dalina is a solid alternative, while Steal A March retains potential for Nicky Henderson.