15:25 Uttoxeter

Friday 22 December 2023

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

QuinnBet Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:26 | Winning time: 4m 19.40s

Damarta^h⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 105WS

5/2

Though carrying over his headstrong tendencies from bumpers, he still caught the eye when just failing to snatch third on hurdling debut at Uttoxeter in May. Hasn't threatened but has shaped better than the bare result in 3 starts this season, so he's of interest now in a handicap (had wind op).

Form: 43-4573

Present Fair²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Abbie McCain⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 102

28/1

Dual point winner but he came in last of 5 in handicap chase at Newcastle (20.1f, good to soft) 22 days ago. Back over hurdles with it to prove on handicap hurdle debut.

Form: 0445-35

Tessy Lad²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-9| J: Jonathan England| T: S England| OR: 100

66/1

Fairly useful handicapper on Flat (stays 1½m) who showed aptitude for this job in pair of starts last winter. At the top of his game on the level in recent months but offered little on handicap hurdle debut for this new yard at Southwell last month. Needs a market check.

Form: 33-P

Time To Dazzle^h²⁷³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Caoilin Quinn⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 94

11/1

Showed ability under a considerate ride when fifth in a 2m Newbury novice in February but he went backwards in 2 subsequent runs there. In good hands though, so not written off now going into handicaps with the hood retained after 9 months off.

Form: 55P-

Yes And Yes³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Lee Edwards| T: B Clarke| OR: 90

40/1

Placed in points. Only modest form in 3 qualifying runs over hurdles and finished tailed off on handicap debut at Hereford (21.7f, good to soft) last month.

Form: 327-848

Alright Dai³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Bryan Carver| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 88

17/2

Made the frame in a trio of bumpers for Dan Skelton and, though yet to match that level of form over hurdles, he's another who may well be seen in a better light now switched to handicap company. Watch the betting.

Form: 42-2673

Mademewhatiam³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 88

25/1

Out of a smart mare and caught the eye finishing with running left on his Rules debut at Hexham, However, was pulled up at Carlisle in October and finished tailed off at Wetherby last month. Will have more chance now in a handicap.

Form: 73-7P7

Sailed Away^t²²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 82

7/2

Back with his former yard when promising second of 8 in handicap hurdle at Fakenham (16f, soft) last month, making his effort earlier than ideal. Beaten by more than lack of stamina over 3f longer trip at Taunton since but would be foolish to rule out back at 2m.

Form: 3057-24

Staar^p³⁵⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: James Best| T: Mrs E Bishop| OR: 82

9/1

Placed both starts in points in 2018 and having shown little in 3 starts in early-2022, proved a totally different proposition in first-time cheekpieces after 10 months off when runner-up at this C&D (heavy) on New Year's Eve. Clearly has issues having not been seen since, though.

Form: 33887/2-

Smart Casual^t¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: R P McLernon| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 81| BF

5/2

Bumper run wasn't devoid of promise and hinted at ability in maiden/novice company last season. Stepped up on reappearance when runner-up at Fontwell (17.7f, heavy) 10 days ago (went like the best horse at the weights) and he remains with potential at this level.

Form: 5956-P2

Non-Runners

Lovin Jukebox²⁵²

Weight: 10-11| Age: 5

T: D McCain Jnr J: Peter Kavanagh

Howdy Partner³⁶⁵

Weight: 10-9| Age: 7

T: Mrs N S Evans J: Robert Williams

Forecasts

Damarta (5/2), Smart Casual (5/2), Sailed Away (7/2), Lovin Jukebox (8/1), Alright Dai (17/2), Staar (9/1), Time To Dazzle (11/1), Mademewhatiam (25/1), Present Fair (28/1), Howdy Partner (33/1), Yes And Yes (40/1), Tessy Lad (66/1)

An open-looking finale in which preference is for SMART CASUAL, who was collared near the line having gone like the best horse at the weights at Fontwell 10 days ago and Anthony Honeyball's 5-y-o can go a place better from an unchanged mark. Damarta has shaped better than the bare result in 3 novice hurdles this season so he rates as a significant threat on handicap debut, with Time To Dazzle and Sailed Away also capable of having a say in proceedings.