15:43 Uttoxeter

Saturday 27 January 2024

All12:4813:2313:5814:3315:0815:4316:18

Cheltenham Preview 10th March Uttoxeter Racecourse Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:43 | Winning time: 7m 27.04s

Well Dick³⁰⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: R P McLernon| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 119| C

9/2

£135,000 purchase who made a bright start over hurdles last term, making it 2 wins from 4 starts when landing match at Hexham (23.3f) in March. Chasing type on appearance (Irish point winner) and feasible to think he can make his mark now handicapping over larger obstacles.

Form: U1/2141-

No But I Will³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 119| BF

9/2

Point/hurdles winner who left reappearance effort well behind when making successful chase debut at Wetherby in November, impressing with his jumping and asserting run-in. Well beaten at Aintree (25f) over Christmas but bounce back distinctly possible now.

Form: 321-715

Sporting Ace^p²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: J M Quinlan| T: N B King| OR: 118| BF

85/40

Consistent over hurdles and proved himself even better in this sphere when off the mark at second attempt at Chepstow (23.6f) in December. Still light on experience and could only midfield in Sussex National earlier this month. Back down in trip/cheekpieces refitted.

Form: 224-716

Ballydisco^p²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr Ben Sutton⁽⁷⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 117

8/1

Made an inauspicious start over fences at Chepstow last month and again well below form returned to timber at Taunton (23.9f) 4 weeks ago. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 171-6P4

Grove Road^b1²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Nick Scholfield| T: A Watson| OR: 117| D

9/1

Sedgefield bumper winner who looked a promising stayer in the making when winning a brace of novice hurdles in late 2022. Reappearance third in a Ffos Las handicap (3m, heavy) in November but not in same form in 2 starts over fences/hurdles since. Blinkers reached for now.

Form: 125-3P5

Phantom Getaway^p⁵⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: C Gethings| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 116

12/1

Winning Irish pointer. Improved when off the mark in 3m Ffos Las handicap on his reappearance last season. Failed to match that form next 2 starts, however, and similarly not figured in pair o chase tries following a wind op initially winter. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 2/135-8P

Here Comes McCoy^t³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Fergus Gregory| T: O Murphy| OR: 114| C

8/1

Made an inauspicious start over fences on return last term but he has posted pair of respectable efforts over hurdles this season. Foolish to rule out better in this sphere and interesting if the market speaks in his favour. Up in trip.

Form: 6/U33-33

Mister Bo⁵⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Lee Edwards| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 108

14/1

Bumper winner in Ireland and fair form on best run over hurdles for Henry de Bromhead. However, failed to complete in 2 starts over hurdles/fences for new stable.

Form: 6754-PP

Forecasts

Sporting Ace (85/40), Well Dick (9/2), No But I Will (9/2), Here Comes McCoy (8/1), Ballydisco (8/1), Grove Road (9/1), Phantom Getaway (12/1), Mister Bo (14/1)

NO BUT I WILL needs to shrug off a lesser display at Aintree over Christmas but he'd previously looked one to keep onside when scoring in determined style on chase debut at Wetherby and he's worth another chance to get back on the up. Well Dick was 2-4 and, very much a chaser on looks, he should be up to making his mark in this sphere. Here Comes McCoy and Sporing Ace are not out of things either.