19:25 Uttoxeter

Saturday 4 May 2024

All16:0016:3517:1017:4518:1818:5319:25

San Miguel Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 19:25 | Winning time: 4m 7.96s

Ambassador^v¹⁶⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Joshua Thompson⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 97| CD

5/1

Left Martin Keighley on the back of a win in July and made it 2 wins from 3 first starts for current connections at Kelso in September. Not disgraced back on the Flat recently and looked to find 20.8f too much of a test returned to this sphere when last seen in November.

Form: 117148-

Mrs Grimley⁸⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: R T Dunne| T: S Allwood| OR: 94| DWS

9/1

Fair bumper winner who has shown similar form over hurdles, opening her account in Ffos Las novice last winter. Mixed bag subsequently though, pulling up both starts in 2024. Since left Ben Pauling and had a breathing op.

Form: P3/38PP-

Churchman¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Jay Tidball⁽⁵⁾| T: A Ralph| OR: 90

13/2

More encouraging signs in handicaps when fourth at Ludlow in November and went agonisingly close to shedding the maiden tag back there in February, losing out on the nod. Shade disappointing at Stratford a fortnight ago, though.

Form: 668424-

Aviewofthestars¹⁶⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs Stella Barclay| OR: 88| D

16/1

Two from 2 upon joining Fergal O'Brien, following up her Plumpton success back down at 2m at Worcester in October, despite conceding first run to plenty. Moved yards again (£7,000 buy) and failed badly in her hat-trick bid, finding little.

Form: 76/9115-

Speiriuil⁶⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Lorcan Murtagh| T: N J Hawke| OR: 94

7/2

Mildly progressive in juvenile company last season and opening mark leaves her competitive in receipt of age allowance.

Form: 3224-

Hugueneau^t¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 87

6/4

Still looking for first success but most encouraging run yet when runner-up at Ffos Las 12 days ago. Nudged up 1 lb and this could be a good opening.

Form: 646P42-

Fort Nelson³²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: James Best| T: S-J Davies| OR: 77WS

25/1

Modest maiden on the Flat and well held all 3 starts over hurdles in 2022. Understandably needed the run on last month's reappearance and this will reveal more.

Form: 044/7-

Non-Runners

Chevington²⁰

Weight: 12-0| Age: 5

T: A Ralph J: Tabitha Worsley

Grandee⁶³

Weight: 11-6| Age: 10

T: J & S Best J: S Bowen

Eventful¹⁰

Weight: 11-1| Age: 7

T: J & S Best J: G Sheehan

Colonel Lesley²⁸¹

Weight: 10-8| Age: 8

T: A E Jones J: Beau Morgan

Forecasts

Hugueneau (6/4), Speiriuil (7/2), Ambassador (5/1), Churchman (13/2), Colonel Lesley (7/1), Grandee (8/1), Chevington (8/1), Mrs Grimley (9/1), Aviewofthestars (16/1), Eventful (16/1), Fort Nelson (25/1)

HUGUENEAU produced his most promising effort yet when runner-up at Ffos Las 12 days ago and a repeat of that level may well suffice. Speiriuil is a threat on handicap debut in receipt of a 4-y-o allowance, with Colonel Lesley one to monitor in the betting for a new yard.