17:15 Uttoxeter

Sunday 8 October 2023

All13:4514:1514:4515:1515:4516:1516:4517:15

Christmas Jumper Raceday Tuesday 12th December Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:22 | Winning time: 3m 53.3s

Moonshine Spirit¹⁰³

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Liam Harrison| T: F O'Brien| OR: 100| BF

5/1

In the frame on all 3 bumper starts and stepped up a little on his maiden/novice hurdle exploits when third on handicap debut at Newton Abbot (18.5f) in June. Possible he can do better still and drop back in trip will hold no fears.

Form: 444-523

Hopeforthebest^t¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 99

22/1

Modest handicapper on Flat (stays easy 2m) and similar form when making the frame in a couple of C&D novice hurdles in recent months. Entitled to hold more chance now handicapping.

Form: 34

Apologise^t²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-11| J: Toby Wynne⁽³⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 98

28/1

Fair Flat winner in Ireland but yet to better modest form over hurdles, easy to back and ultimately looking a shade rusty back from 6 months off when well held sixth of 8 in C&D handicap 25 days ago. Needs to leave that in his wake to feature with hood now discarded.

Form: 3643P-6

Rock On Tommy^b,t⁷²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Lewis Stones⁽³⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 95| BF| CD

6/1

Building up a good record at this venue, landing back-to-back C&D handicaps prior to finishing runner-up here having third run in 17 days back in July. Never won from a mark this high but claims nevertheless if arriving in same form.

Form: 3-P9112

Henry Box Brown¹⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 93| CD

9/1

Showed improved form when opening hurdles account in a C&D handicap in December. Disappointed thereafter, including tried over fences at Ffos Las (2m) in May but returns to action with yard amongst the winners, so no surprise to see a better showing back over timber.

Form: 71776-8

Fever Dream¹⁹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Christian Williams| OR: 92

18/1

Runner-up sole start in Irish points and definite signs of promise in trio of quick-fire novice/maiden hurdles back in the spring. Very much the type his good yard do well with in handicaps and very interesting if market speaks in his favour.

Form: 2365-

Embolden²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: James Bowen| T: C Hobson| OR: 90

16/1

Opened account over hurdles at Plumpton (17.7f) back in April. Distinctly mixed bag subsequently but better signs from easing mark when third of 7 in handicap at Worcester (2m, soft) 26 days ago. Needs to build on that now.

Form: 3-P3503

Luna Dora^t¹¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Benjamin Poste| T: T Symonds| OR: 80| D

12/1

Made light of a five-month absence and a bad mistake at halfway when readily landing 8-runner handicap hurdle at Fakenham (2m, soft) in April. However, not in same form on 2 of her 3 starts thereafter but subsequent 4-month break may well help ahead of this.

Form: 2217-55

Hammer Dan^h,t¹⁷⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 79WS

22/1

Fetched £62,000 after finishing second in a maiden point in February but showed little in trio of quick-fire hurdle starts back in the spring. Still, handicaps more suitable and no surprise to see a better showing with yard amongst the winners. Has had wind op.

Form: 20776-

El Jefe^h,t¹⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Harry Reed| T: A B Hamilton| OR: 79

18/1

Largely operating below best this term but confirmed himself back in better heart from easing mark when third at Perth (16.2f) in April. Absent subsequently but lurking on a very handy mark if ready to roll back from 164 days off.

Form: 097743-

Weaver's Answer¹⁷⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 78

7/1

Still a maiden but hard to knock his consistency last season, again filling the frame when third of 10 in handicap at Taunton (23.9f) in April. Takes a marked step back in trip on return and he's no forlorn hope from such a lowly mark.

Form: 602443-

Robber's Bridge⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: David Noonan| T: Simon Earle| OR: 74

9/2

Has made more impact since sent handicapping this year, running right up to his best when running on for third at Stratford (16.3f) 45 days ago. Each-way possibilities again.

Form: 29-4233

Mistertommyshelby¹⁰⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: S Bowen| T: R Potter| OR: 72

5/1

Overall record an uninspiring one but with belated reappearance run under his belt, shaped much better than distance beaten suggests when fourth over extended 23f here in June. Not underestimated dropped markedly in trip with Sean Bowen booked.

Form: 6UP4/04

Heresmax^t²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Harry Bannister| T: R Bandey| OR: 70

40/1

Modest maiden handicapper on Flat for Micky Hammond. No show in 2 outings over hurdles for Polly Gundry and fared little better on return/yard debut when distant fifth in a Worcester maiden 3 weeks ago. Makes handicap debut from out of weights.

Form: 0P-5

Non-Runners

Pour Me A Drink¹⁰³⁵

Weight: 11-1| Age: 7

T: J & S Best J: Non Runner

Colonel Lesley⁷²

Weight: 10-9| Age: 7

T: A E Jones J: Beau Morgan

Forecasts

Robber's Bridge (9/2), Moonshine Spirit (5/1), Mistertommyshelby (5/1), Rock On Tommy (6/1), Weaver's Answer (7/1), Colonel Lesley (7/1), Henry Box Brown (9/1), Luna Dora (12/1), Embolden (16/1), Fever Dream (18/1), El Jefe (18/1), Hopeforthebest (22/1), Hammer Dan (22/1), Apologise (28/1), Heresmax (40/1)

A big-field handicap with a wide-open feel and with that in mind a chance is taken on C&D winner HENRY BOX BROWN. Below his best when last seen in the spring, he returns with his yard amongst the winners and, operating from his last winning mark, he could represent a spot of value. Moonshine Spirit, Rock On Tommy and Fever Dream head the dangers, whilst Hammer Dan is also worth monitoring in the betting for positive vibes on handicap bow.