19:03 Uttoxeter

Saturday 18 May 2024

All17:2017:5518:3019:0319:3320:0320:33

Staffs Construction Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 19:03 | Winning time: 5m 47.86s

City Chief^p⁶⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 135

6/1

Won Grade 2 Towton as a novice but found his second season chasing tough from marks in the 140s. Ran no race in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham but yard going significantly better now and this a much easier assignment back over hurdles. Strong chance if this turns into a stamina test.

Form: 13/456P-

Icare Allen^t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 132

12/1

Smart hurdler at his peak for Willie Mullins but no show in initial two outings for current yard last month. Showed much more when fifth here 2 weeks ago however and a return to near his best would make him hard to beat. Worth a market check.

Form: 53PP-05

Jet Of Magic^p,t¹⁴⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 130| CD

12/1

Course and distance winner last July who looked like following up later in the month, only for an unfortunate slip of the saddle unseating his jockey. Had a forgettable season thereafter mixing hurdling and chasing but can go well after a break if keeping mistakes to a minimum.

Form: 1U30P5-

Take No Chances²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Fergus Gillard| T: D Skelton| OR: 128

2/1

Has become a useful staying hurdler who built on a narrow defeat at Newbury when landing a Warwick handicap in good style. The form of her second to Zain Nights at formerly-named course is working out well and under optimal conditions is the one to beat.

Form: 3/12P21-

Peking Rose^t³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 128

7/1

Returned after a year out with a win at Doncaster in December and ran creditably at 80/1 in a competitive Cheltenham handicap (20.2f, good) last month. However, more needed back up in trip which isn’t guaranteed to suit.

Form: 16P/180-

Tightenourbelts²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 128| BF

5/1

Well backed for Chepstow chase (19.4f, good) 22 days ago but again lacked confidence in his jumping and failed to fire, fading into sixth of 9. Had run creditably on return to hurdles at Plumpton the time before, which gives some hope here back up in trip.

Form: 134P46-

Copper Coin³¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-5| J: Beau Morgan⁽⁵⁾| T: M Scudamore| OR: 126| CD

15/2

No win since 2021 but has had a few near misses in eleven attempts. Below form when only ninth of 14 in a strong handicap hurdle at Cheltenham a month ago but course and distance winner can’t be fully discounted.

Form: 2/52439-

Champagnesuperover^t²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 123

9/1

Showed plenty of ability remains after 18-month absence, having been returned to hurdles when fourth at Perth (20.2f, soft) last month. Was much better than the bare result there and will be on the premises if able to back that up returned to a longer distance.

Form: 43114/4-

Non-Runners

Wbee⁶⁴²

Weight: 11-10| Age: 9

T: G Hanmer J: Non Runner

Hillview¹¹⁴

Weight: 11-7| Age: 8

T: G Hanmer J: Lily Pinchin

Forecasts

Take No Chances (2/1), Tightenourbelts (5/1), City Chief (6/1), Peking Rose (7/1), Wbee (7/1), Copper Coin (15/2), Champagnesuperover (9/1), Jet Of Magic (12/1), Icare Allen (12/1), Hillview (14/1)

TAKE NO CHANCES backed up an excellent second to a rapid improver when successful at Warwick last month and is the one to beat here. Hillview was runner-up in this race last year and has a good record when fresh, with City Chief facing an easier task returned over hurdles.