13:05 Uttoxeter

Friday 22 December 2023

All12:0012:3013:0513:4014:1514:5015:25

In Memory Of June Taylor Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:07 | Winning time: 5m 22.3s

Jack Sprat²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 100| D

15/2

Off the mark when landing a 7-runner handicap at Huntingdon (19.6f, good to soft) with something to spare on return last month. Wasn't in the same form next time, though, and he looks vulnerable.

Form: 732-515

Accidental Legend⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 99| CD

3/1

Won 3 on the bounce at around 2½m last winter, including over C&D, but he has offered little on his last 4 outings (tried in cheekpieces latest). On the upside, he's edged back down the weights as a result (now 1 lb below last winning mark).

Form: 1108-90

Hugueneau^t²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Mr Ben Sutton⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 91

17/2

Point winner who stepped up on what he showed in 3 runs for Lawney Hill when, equipped with a first-time tongue strap (retained), finishing fourth of 10 on handicap/yard debut back from a 6-month break at Market Rasen (16.6f, soft). Eased 2 lb and promises to be suited by this stiffer test.

Form: 41/50-64

Jukebox D'eddy³²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: Lee Edwards| T: T R Gretton| OR: 89

80/1

Took a step forward over hurdles when going close at Wetherby on handicap debut in March but has disappointingly failed to build on that since. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 526-7PU

Midnight Soldier²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Lorcan Williams| T: B Pauling| OR: 89

16/1

Made a winning bumper debut in good style at Fontwell in June 2021 for Christian Williams. Encouraging second of 6 in a C&D novice on hurdles bow in May and, though safely held both starts since, he could do better now pitched into a handicap.

Form: 1/278

Hi Riko^t²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: R Hobson| OR: 88| BF

10/3

Has acquitted himself well all 3 starts since switched to handicaps, most notably when going close over C&D on heavy ground last month. Again found just one too good at Lingfield since and his turn is surely near.

Form: 4/294-22

Crossbeau¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 88

80/1

Modest maiden on the Flat who hasn't shown much in a handful of appearances over hurdles and big step forward needed on handicap debut in this sphere.

Form: 676

Double Powerful^h⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: R P McLernon| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 83

22/1

Third sole start between the flags but there have not been many positives to glean from his efforts in maiden/novice company thus far. Another who needs to raise his game considerably now venturing down the handicap route.

Form: 3-7P7

Night Jet^p1²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Benjamin Poste| T: T Symonds| OR: 81

8/1

Out of a mare who did well for the same connections and he has shown ability, albeit without really threatening, in 7 starts over hurdles. Perhaps the fitting of cheekpieces will help spark some improvement and, if so, he wouldn't be without each-way hope.

Form: 68P4-95

Akentrick^t1³⁶⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 81

12/1

On a good mark judged on his effort at Musselburgh 2 years ago when finishing runner-up off an 11 lb higher mark in a 3m handicap. However, that is a standout effort and he was pulled up in a point when last seen 12 months ago. Debut for new yard.

Form: 4U50/3P-

Portentoso^b,t²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Elizabeth Gale⁽⁷⁾| T: C Honour| OR: 78

15/2

Winner twice in this sphere and over fences in France. Posted by far his best effort on these shores when second in a big-field Chepstow handicap (19.5f, heavy) last month but it would be something of an understatement to say that he failed to back that up next time. Blinkers/tongue strap refitted.

Form: 00/58-2P

Begoodtoyourself¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Toby Wynne⁽³⁾| T: C N Kellett| OR: 77

25/1

Very modest strike rate overall but, to his credit, he knuckled down well when opening his hurdles account at Carlisle (19.3f, good to soft) 19 days ago. The runner-up did the form no hard when hitting the crossbar again next time and this 8-y-o is a player off 3 lb higher here.

Form: PP4351

Twp Stori⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: R T Dunne| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 76

16/1

No impact in bumper/completed starts over hurdles and it's easy enough to look elsewhere.

Form: 900U-65

Non-Runners

Hey Mister Dj³¹

Weight: 10-10| Age: 5

T: A Ralph J: C Gethings

Forecasts

Accidental Legend (3/1), Hi Riko (10/3), Jack Sprat (15/2), Portentoso (15/2), Night Jet (8/1), Hugueneau (17/2), Akentrick (12/1), Twp Stori (16/1), Midnight Soldier (16/1), Double Powerful (22/1), Hey Mister Dj (25/1), Begoodtoyourself (25/1), Crossbeau (80/1), Jukebox D'eddy (80/1)

Having shaped encouragingly on his first run for the Skelton yard at Market Rasen, HUGUENEAU earns the vote with this step up in trip a potentially good move. Hi Riko has been knocking on the door and should pick up a race sooner rather than later, while Begoodtoyourself, who finally got the job done at Carlisle last time, is third choice. Accidental Legend needs to bounce back but he's a C&D winner and will be a threat if able to do so off this reduced mark.