19:40 Uttoxeter

Saturday 17 June 2023

All17:4018:1018:4019:1019:4020:1020:40

Terry 'Maxi' Maxwell Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 19:40 | Winning time: 5m 59.28s

Halifax^p,t⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-2| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: G Harris| OR: 112| D

9/2

Gained a deserved first success in handicap at Exeter (2m7f) in February and confirmed his return to form when doubling his tally in a small-field contest at Ffos Las (23.9f, good) 9 days ago. 4 lb higher and should be in the mix again.

Form: 1499-21

Tango Echo Charlie³⁹³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 109| BF| CD

14/1

Left his 2022 comeback run well behind upped in trip when winning over C&D 13 months ago. Probably found the race come too soon when down the field 6 days later at Worcester and the likelihood is he will need this.

Form: 3647/15-

Kilfilum Woods^p²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: D A Jacob| T: P R Webber| OR: 108

5/1

Eight-race maiden who went like the best horse at the weights on his second start back from a breathing operation when runner-up at Warwick (25f, good to firm) 24 days ago, making his effort earlier than ideal. 2 lb higher for that and others hold stronger claims.

Form: 4246-82

Wavering Down^p¹¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Lorcan Williams| T: J Scott| OR: 105| BF

11/1

Much improved when scoring at Newton Abbot in October and ran well in defeat when third on his next 2 outings. Turned in a rare poor effort at Fontwell in February and with this trip posing a question, it's probably best to look elsewhere.

Form: 75/1336-

I'm A Starman^t¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: M G Rimell| OR: 103

11/1

Is becoming increasingly unreliable but bounced back to form reverted to hurdles when runner-up at Worcester (23f, good) a fortnight ago. Task is now to back that up.

Form: 3P2-PV2

Bright Sunbird^p²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: G Hanmer| OR: 98| C

9/1

Back-to-back winner last summer, including a 2¾m novice at Cartmel. Returned to form following a break when finding just one too good at Ludlow (23.8f, good to soft) last month but went backwards from that effort 3 weeks ago, off the bridle long way out. Must bounce back.

Form: 4657-24

Ali Star Bert²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: J M Quinlan| T: S A Harris| OR: 93| CD

11/2

Landed a gamble on just his second start over fences here and impressive when following up at Chepstow (26.2f, good to soft) in February. Placed on next 3 outings and fancied to continue his good form back over the smaller obstacles.

Form: 71123-2

Karavomylos^t1¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-3| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 94

85/40

Stepped up on what he showed in a trio of juvenile hurdles when a clear second to another handicap debutant upped to 3m at Ffos Las (soft) last month and again ran well despite looking unsuited by the shorter trip at Cartmel 3 weeks later. Major chance with a tongue tie applied.

Form: 456-22

Non-Runners

Mr Mafia²²¹

Weight: 11-9| Age: 14

T: M Keighley J: Adam Wedge

Millie Of Mayo¹²²

Weight: 10-8| Age: 8

T: N G Richards J: B S Hughes

Forecasts

Karavomylos (85/40), Halifax (9/2), Kilfilum Woods (5/1), Ali Star Bert (11/2), Bright Sunbird (9/1), Wavering Down (11/1), I'm A Starman (11/1), Mr Mafia (12/1), Tango Echo Charlie (14/1), Millie Of Mayo (25/1)

KARAVOMYLOS has found just one too strong on both handicap starts so far but, with this greater test of stamina expected to play to his strengths and his yard in good form, Peter Bowen's 4-y-o gets the vote to open his account sporting a first-time tongue strap. Halifax doubled his tally at Ffos Las recently and he could offer most resistance, with Ali Star Bert also fancied to feature back over the smaller obstacles.