15:07 Uttoxeter

Friday 31 December 2021

All12:2212:5513:3014:0514:3715:0715:40

QuinnBet Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:17 | Winning time: 6m 41.37s

Dr Des^t1,v1⁵³

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 102| CD

7/1

Winless since 2019 and while the handicapper has given him a chance, he hasn't shown enough in 4 starts for new yard this year to suggest that a revival is imminent. New headgear employed.

Form: 4-P5557

Sartene's Son^b,t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: G Sheehan| T: R Bevis| OR: 100| D

10/1

Winner over hurdles at Bangor from 8 lb lower in January 2021. Mixed bag since, looking awkward in a change of headgear back at that venue 3 weeks ago.

Form: 10-24P4

Jungle Prose⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: James Davies| T: N J Gifford| OR: 97

11/1

Yet to get head in front over hurdles but returned to form after 6 months off when runner-up at Plumpton and backed that up when filling the same spot there last month, albeit no match for winner.

Form: 264P-22

Lazy Sunday²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: R Mitford-Slade| OR: 97

4/1

Minor promise in her qualifying runs at up to 23f in recent weeks. Open to improvement now handicapping but mark demands it.

Form: 747

Mercian Knight^b,t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 94

22/1

Hasn't travelled with much verve this term and he's essentially tumbling in the weights without looking ready to cash in.

Form: 3P-PP55

Sound Of Music²⁸³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: T J O'Brien| T: Noel Williams| OR: 92

33/1

Took a step forward when third of 13 on 3m Taunton handicap debut in February. In nothing like the same form a month later and off since.

Form: 5/6663P-

Committee Of One⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Kieren Buckley⁽⁵⁾| T: T R Gretton| OR: 89

33/1

Stepped up plenty on previous exploits when running out a shock 66/1 on handicap debut at Ffos Las (15.8f) in February. Not in same form all 3 starts since, albeit she may have needed reappearance.

Form: 98143-0

Auenwirbel¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Mitchell Bastyan⁽³⁾| T: Mrs L J Young| OR: 87

4/1

Modest hurdler who took advantage of handy mark when landing a 19f selling handicap at Taunton in February. Positives to draw from both efforts in recent weeks following a break.

Form: 754-752

Ali Star Bert⁸⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Hugh Nugent⁽⁵⁾| T: S A Harris| OR: 86

20/1

Left previous form behind when second over 19.9f here in July, albeit flattered by his proximity to the winner. Disappointing handicap debut but seemed to excel himself last time. Up in trip.

Form: 8-66206

Brooksway Fair^t⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 86

2/1

Winning pointer who was disappointing when switched to handicaps/fences last season. Money came for him again and he got it right at Ffos Las over fences last month. Well handicapped.

Form: 8946-51

Autumn Gold²⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-1| J: Alain Cawley| T: R G Hawker| OR: 75

150/1

Little in the way of promise so far so hopes rest on a yard switch.

Form: PP599-P

Iggy Iggins^p,t¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Harry Bannister| T: T R Gretton| OR: 74

100/1

Little in the way of worthwhile form.

Form: 77-59P

Hedgebird⁶⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Lee Edwards| T: J Groucott| OR: 59

125/1

Looks limited ahead of this handicap debut from a long way out of the weights.

Form: 76-P77

Non-Runners

Marias Lad¹⁷

Weight: 10-0| Age: 5

T: R Potter J: Benjamin Poste

Forecasts

Brooksway Fair (2/1), Auenwirbel (4/1), Lazy Sunday (4/1), Dr Des (7/1), Sartene's Son (10/1), Jungle Prose (11/1), Ali Star Bert (20/1), Mercian Knight (22/1), Marias Lad (25/1), Sound Of Music (33/1), Committee Of One (33/1), Iggy Iggins (100/1), Hedgebird (125/1), Autumn Gold (150/1)

BROOKSWAY FAIR has a quirk or two, but he's better than his current lowly mark and, having won over fences last time, the penny may well be dropping with him. He's the one to beat returned to timber, with Ali Star Bert and Auenwirbel feared most.