14:53 Uttoxeter

Saturday 31 December 2022

All12:0312:3313:0813:4314:1814:5315:28

ecolifefurniture.co.uk Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:54 | Winning time: 5m 23.12s

Ripper Roo^t1³²

Age: 7| Weight: 12-2| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 112| D

12/1

Landed the odds in a maiden hurdle at Market Rasen in April 2021. Beaten a fair way on chase debut at Southwell (20.4f, good to soft) last month but that was his first appearance for 20 months and better can be expected this time.

Form: 22331/6

Chanceux⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Alex Edwards⁽³⁾| T: A Ralph| OR: 109

16/1

Dual novice hurdle winner (at around 2m) last winter who was pulled up on 2 of his 3 starts in handicaps after, quickish ground possibly against him at Fontwell in March. May have needed last month's return and worth a check in the market on chase debut.

Form: 11P3P-6

Lydford Lad³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: B S Hughes| T: H Fry| OR: 107| BF| D

10/3

Winning hurdler who improved on stable/chasing debut after a year off when runner-up at Ffos Las in November. Should build on that and looks the one to beat.

Form: 15537-2

Dash Of Blue^t³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: D A Jacob| T: B I Case| OR: 106| D

22/1

Fair winning hurdler who made light of a 21-month absence to strike on his Southwell chase debut in November but failed to back it up at Wincanton a month ago. Others preferred.

Form: 1494/16

Immortal Fame³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 106| CD

11/2

Won 3 handicap hurdles last season and made a solid start over fences when runner-up at Doncaster last month. Open to improvement and merits consideration.

Form: 0118-22

Walk In Clover³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: David England| T: D Skelton| OR: 106

12/1

Fair winner over hurdles and matched that form for the first time over fences when second at Southwell 32 days ago. Not entirely straightforward but could make an impact if things drop right.

Form: 132-P32

My Silver Lining³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: J R Wildman⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 106

14/1

Impressive winner of a 2m novice hurdle on deep ground in February and seems to be getting the hang of things over fences, runner-up at Southwell a month ago. Could do better still, so merits respect.

Form: 414-3P3

Helios Allen³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 105

12/1

Fair albeit inconsistent hurdler who didn't have a hard time when sixth in a handicap at Taunton on chasing debut. May step up on that.

Form: 13P-056

Mythical Hero¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Lee Edwards| T: A West| OR: 105

66/1

Won on hurdles debut in Ireland in November 2021 but largely disappointed since, including for this yard in recent months. Hard to fancy back over fences.

Form: 49-F66F

Rock Of Star⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Adam Wedge| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 102

9/2

Much improved to make a winning handicap debut in January. Related to chase winners and would probably have finished second had he stood up on last month's reappearance. More to come over the larger obstacles.

Form: 61649-F

Duke Of Deception^p1³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Craig Nichol| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 101

20/1

Fair form in bumpers last season and, while he failed to match that over hurdles, the return to this trip and switch to chasing (ex-pointer) could bring about improvement. One to be interested in with cheekpieces applied.

Form: 454-853

Bak Rocky³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 99| BF

5/1

Failed to progress over hurdles but positive start over fences, placed at Kelso and Ayr. Potential for better and warrants respect.

Form: 9956-23

Kings Krackertara³⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: James Davies| T: N J Gifford| OR: 95

33/1

Showed ability in sole bumper outing and on debut over timber at Leicester this time last year. Rather went backwards thereafter, however, and plenty to prove sent chasing on return from 11-month absence.

Form: 4/477-

Luis Van Zandt^t³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: S-J Davies| OR: 93| D

125/1

Handicap hurdle winner for Gavin Cromwell during summer of 2020 but disappointing over fences for current yard, showing nothing back from a long absence at Bangor 35 days ago. Makes no appeal.

Form: 100FP/7

Non-Runners

Pass Me By³⁸

Weight: 12-0| Age: 6

T: R Bandey J: David Bass

Striking Out²⁰⁴

Weight: 11-9| Age: 8

T: Henry Oliver J: K Brogan

Forecasts

Lydford Lad (10/3), Rock Of Star (9/2), Bak Rocky (5/1), Immortal Fame (11/2), Pass Me By (10/1), Walk In Clover (12/1), Ripper Roo (12/1), Helios Allen (12/1), My Silver Lining (14/1), Chanceux (16/1), Duke Of Deception (20/1), Striking Out (20/1), Dash Of Blue (22/1), Kings Krackertara (33/1), Mythical Hero (66/1), Luis Van Zandt (125/1)

LYDFORD LAD made a highly promising start for Harry Fry when second at Ffos Las and, with improvement on the cards, he gets the vote in a competitive event. Walk In Clover is a danger despite her quirks and Duke of Deception should do better now his attentions are turned to chasing for the first time.