14:40 Uttoxeter

Friday 23 July 2021

All13:0013:3514:1014:4015:1515:5016:2016:52

Storm Right Home Improvements Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:41 | Winning time: 5m 54.20s

Black Anthem^b1,t⁴⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Burke| T: T Lacey| OR: 110

25/1

Multiple winner over hurdles/fences but offered little in either start this year and has questions to answer now, (found to have an irregular heartbeat). Blinkers on first time, tongue strap back on.

Form: 121P7-P

Speredek¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: David Noonan| T: N J Hawke| OR: 110| D

6/1

One-time smart performer who may finally be ready to strike from a greatly reduced mark having confirmed he's back in some sort of form when third at Perth 12 days ago. Interesting runner.

Form: 54F-433

Laugharne^p,t⁵⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 110

25/1

Fair handicap hurdler who might have needed the run after 6 months off when sixth at Warwick back in May. Off another couple of months so probably best to look elsewhere.

Form: 43/35P-6

Smart Getaway³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Lewis Stones⁽⁷⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 109

13/2

Winner on debut for this yard at Southwell in 2019 and runner-up 4 times since, including back from a couple months off at Perth (23.9f, good) 34 days ago, edged out run-in. Nudged up 4 lb since.

Form: 1225/2-2

Methag⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Bannister| T: A M Hales| OR: 106

11/2

Won twice in 2019/20 campaign and hit the crossbar in a brace of handicaps last term. Stepped up on her reappearance when runner-up at Hexham last month but this step back up in trip not sure to suit.

Form: 5275-32

Three Colours Red^p,t⁴¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Charlie Price⁽⁵⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 99| D

12/1

Didn't take to fences in 2019 and pulled up back hurdling following a lengthy absence both starts last winter. Showed ability remains on second run back following a wind op last month but more needed.

Form: 46/P78-5

Hattaab^b,t1¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 99| D

5/1

Bounced back to somewhere near best from a career-low mark to notch a second career victory at Worcester (23f, good to soft) 18 days ago, staying on to lead post. Up just 3 lb and tongue tie applied.

Form: 255-P21

Lelantos^p¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 98

12/1

Stepped up on previous hurdles form when runner-up at this track (19.9f, good) and not disgraced when fifth in first-time cheekpieces on handicap bow at Worcester 18 days ago. More needed to feature.

Form: 505-525

Get An Oscar^p¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 93| D

7/2

Hasn't got her head in front for a while, but ran creditably with cheekpieces refitted when runner-up at Worcester 18 days ago, bumping into one that has won again since. Solid each-way claims.

Form: 3P8-2F2

Watching Brief³³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: C Brace| T: D Brace| OR: 86

11/1

Long-standing maiden who was running to a modest level over hurdles last term. Fit from points but made little impact on reappearance over the larger obstacles. Could feature back over timber.

Form: 234-P36

Forecasts

Get An Oscar (7/2), Hattaab (5/1), Methag (11/2), Speredek (6/1), Smart Getaway (13/2), Watching Brief (11/1), Three Colours Red (12/1), Lelantos (12/1), Black Anthem (25/1), Laugharne (25/1)

A few in with chances but preference is for HATTAAB, who opened his account in handicaps from a career-low mark at Worcester earlier this month and can follow up from this 3 lb higher mark with a first-time tongue tie applied. Get An Oscar isn't one to trust but she's feared most following her runner-up effort last time, ahead of Smart Getaway and Speredek.