15:15 Uttoxeter

Saturday 6 May 2023

All14:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0517:4018:15

Somersby Cider Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 6m 35.12s

Present Chief²¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 99| BF| C

28/1

Has been given a chance by the handicapper but was struggling when last seen in October. Interesting to note any market support on return.

Form: 4P/4576-

Cremant^p,t²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 98| D

9/1

Won an Aintree handicap hurdle (20f) last June and largely run with credit in defeat over fences since, looking rusty after 7 months off at Haydock 4 weeks ago.

Form: 133223-

William Ewart^t¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Christian Williams| OR: 92| BF

7/2

Much more like it switched to handicaps over hurdles, bolting up at Bangor (23f, soft) in March and running well in staying event at Stratford a fortnight ago. Interesting now chasing.

Form: 0/23012-

Master Sam Bellamy³⁵⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Ben Ffrench-Davis⁽⁷⁾| T: W De Best-Turner| OR: 92

80/1

Fair form at best over hurdles but disappointing in a novice hunter on chasing debut when last seen under Rules over 2 years ago. Placed once from 5 starts in points, pulled up last time (May 2022). Others make more appeal.

Form: 643PR/P-

Carlo Du Berlais¹⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: C Brace| T: F O'Brien| OR: 92

11/1

Picked up for £80,000 after finishing second in a point. Has shown a bit in bumpers/3 races over hurdles and could do better now handicap chasing up in trip.

Form: 256/876-

Galante De Romay^p⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: C Gethings| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 90

33/1

Maiden hurdler who shaped better in first-time cheekpieces over fences at Ffos Las 6 weeks ago, making a bad error 2 out. Should have more to offer.

Form: 53P/334-

Ron Burgundy^t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: S Bowen| T: Ian Williams| OR: 87

14/1

Showed a bit initially over hurdles but no impact last season, offering little in a tongue tie on chase debut at Huntingdon 3 weeks ago. Cheekpieces added.

Form: 54/P895-

Safe Destination²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 87

15/2

Offered bits of promise in maiden/novice hurdles and was back on track when fourth at Taunton last time. Ex-pointer, so should take to chasing, and he's worthy of respect.

Form: 650664-

Whataboutyeh^t⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 81| D

6/5

Irish point winner much improved on handicap debut over hurdles, landing a gamble back from 5 months off at Southwell (3m) last week in first-time tongue tie. Switched to chasing in follow-up bid and the obvious winner.

Form: 31/8091-

Prince Cleni¹⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams| OR: 77

18/1

Little form over hurdles and on chasing debut a couple of starts back. Hard to warm to unless the market speaks in his favour after 5 months off.

Form: 64503P-

Deadly Missile⁷⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Mrs R Gasson| OR: 75| D

22/1

Opened his account at third attempt between the flags. No show yet under Rules but up in trip for handicap/chasing debut, so worth monitoring in the betting.

Form: P1/8089-

O'Grady's Boy^p¹³

Age: 12| Weight: 10-2| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: G Hanmer| OR: 73

25/1

Modest maiden hurdler/chaser at best but has gone the wrong way this season.

Form: 4/7PPP4-

Non-Runners

Eightytwo Team²²⁴

Weight: 10-9| Age: 7

T: C Ellam J: R T Dunne

Earcomesbob⁴³

Weight: 10-2| Age: 8

T: P A Pritchard J: Alice Stevens

Forecasts

Whataboutyeh (6/5), William Ewart (7/2), Safe Destination (15/2), Cremant (9/1), Carlo Du Berlais (11/1), Ron Burgundy (14/1), Prince Cleni (18/1), Earcomesbob (20/1), Deadly Missile (22/1), O'Grady's Boy (25/1), Eightytwo Team (25/1), Present Chief (28/1), Galante De Romay (33/1), Master Sam Bellamy (80/1)

WHATABOUTYEH was much improved when landing a gamble on his handicap debut over hurdles at Southwell last week and can follow up if proving as good over fences. William Ewart has been in fine form over hurdles himself and could figure. Carlo du Berlais is also interesting going over fences for the first time.