20:35 Uttoxeter

Saturday 20 May 2023

All17:3518:0518:3519:0519:3520:0520:35

1652 Bar And Restaurant, Weston Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 20:36 | Winning time: 5m 5.70s

Rock The House¹⁸⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Charlie Price⁽³⁾| T: Katy Price| OR: 100

16/1

Successful twice in handicaps in 2021 for Olly Murphy and back to form on stable debut when runner-up at Hereford (21.7f) last month. Below that level on both starts since, though, and the likelihood is that he will need this outing after 6 months off.

Form: PU7245-

Prison Break^p1²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 98| D

33/1

Out of sorts since Hereford fourth in November and has looked one with problems. Hopes pinned on first-time headgear sparking some sort of revival.

Form: 164P8P-

Can't Beat History^t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Lee Edwards| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 90

11/2

Runner-up in an Irish bumper last spring and showed more than previously over hurdles switched to a handicap when head second at Doncaster (19.4f) in February. Again ran well when fifth at Southwell 3 months later and he's a major player if settling a touch better.

Form: 279625-

Steal My Sunshine^p1²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 89

7/1

Some encouragement in a pair of bumpers but has yet to make much of an impact in 4 starts over hurdles so far, down the field on handicap debut following a wind op at Southwell (20.4f, good to soft) just over 3 weeks ago. Cheekpieces applied.

Form: 45/4960-

The Knot Is Tied¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Ms Laura Ward⁽⁷⁾| T: N B King| OR: 88| D

25/1

Fair winner over hurdles who returned to form from out the blue to open chase account at Lingfield (2m, good to soft) in December. However, only one effort of any note in handful of starts subsequently and he's a risky proposition. Reverts to hurdles.

Form: PPP25-P

Rock On Tommy^b,t⁶⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 87| C

15/2

Scored over hurdles at this track last June and not disgraced on both outings over the larger obstacles on his next 2 starts. Shaped as if the run was needed back hurdling at Huntingdon (15.8f, soft) in March and he's one to look out for with blinkers reapplied.

Form: 6/41533-

Mount South⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Hogan⁽⁵⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 86| BF

10/3

Fair form when in the frame in all 3 bumpers in 2021/22 and left his previous efforts over hurdles behind upped in trip for handicap debut when third over C&D in March. Hasn't kicked on since however, failing to complete the last twice when sent off as favourite.

Form: 7793UP-

Lighthouse Mill¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: G Sheehan| T: David Dennis| OR: 83

5/1

Inconsistent to date but strung good runs together for the first time when close third at Fakenham (20f, good) 11 days ago, albeit having the run of the race. Should be competitive again if in the same mood.

Form: 46P02-3

If Karl's Berg Did^h¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: H Cobden| T: M F Harris| OR: 80

8/1

Maiden handicap hurdler who is hard to catch right, stopping the slide somewhat in a falsely-run affair when fifth at Fakenham (20f, good) 11 days ago. Drops a further couple of pounds and dangerous if able to build on that effort.

Form: 4/3P46-5

Rebel Royal^b²⁰⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-5| J: Harry Bannister| T: B I Case| OR: 77| D

15/2

Just the one win over hurdles and that came more than 5 years ago. Mark continues to tumble but will need to hit the ground running after 6 months off to feature.

Form: F43526-

Quality²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Sean Houlihan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 74

33/1

Looks poor at this stage and has hinted she may not be straightforward. Makes handicap debut from 8 lb out of the weights and best watched.

Form: 02F6-

Non-Runners

Kilbrainy²²

Weight: 12-0| Age: 7

T: A M Thomson J: Ryan Mania

Boomtime Banker²⁴⁴

Weight: 10-10| Age: 9

T: D J Jeffreys J: Thomas Bellamy

Forecasts

Mount South (10/3), Boomtime Banker (7/2), Lighthouse Mill (5/1), Can't Beat History (11/2), Steal My Sunshine (7/1), Rebel Royal (15/2), Rock On Tommy (15/2), If Karl's Berg Did (8/1), Kilbrainy (10/1), Rock The House (16/1), The Knot Is Tied (25/1), Prison Break (33/1), Quality (33/1)

A few in with chances but CAN'T BEAT HISTORY has shaped up well on both outings in handicaps so, provided he can settle a touch better back down in trip, Henry Oliver's charge is selected to open his account. Boomtime Banker won both her starts last season and she may well emerge as the main danger if ready to roll after 8 months off, with Rock On Tommy and Lighthouse Mill others worth considering.