20:03 Uttoxeter

Saturday 18 May 2024

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

QuinnBet Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 20:06 | Winning time: 3m 45.97s

Happy Boy^t²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Freddie Gordon⁽⁵⁾| T: C Gordon| OR: 105| D

7/2

Came good at the fourth attempt over hurdles when cosily making a winning handicap debut back from 13 months off at Kempton (2m, good). 10 lb rise tolerable and should be in the mix, provided he doesn't suffer from the dreaded 'bounce' factor.

Form: 55753/1-

Strutter^h⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 103

9/2

Well backed and promising start over hurdles when second of 18 at Newbury in December. Has failed to build on that in 2 subsequent starts but it's still early days and he appeals as the type to raise his game now pitched into a handicap.

Form: 8/4207-

L'allier²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Aaron Anderson⁽⁵⁾| T: M Wigham| OR: 102

28/1

Shaped fairly well when making the frame in maiden hurdles at Huntingdon and Wetherby in March but he took a step in the wrong direction on his recent handicap debut.

Form: 50446-

Electric Eddy²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 96

9/2

Signs of ability for Prunella Dobbs in Ireland and didn't shape badly on handicap/yard debut back from an 8-month absence at Exeter (18.5f, good). That run will have blown away the cobwebs and he's an each-way player back down in trip.

Form: 7594-

Coin Basket⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Bradley Harris⁽³⁾| T: H Dickin| OR: 96| D

14/1

Bumper winner who went backwards from hurdling debut on first run for new yard at Chepstow at the beginning of April. Step back in the right direction at Wincanton since but she will need to raise her game now switched to handicap company.

Form: P21/454-

Orchestra^p²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 99| BF

13/2

Fair handicapper on the Flat and has made the frame on 3 of his 4 starts since his attention was turned to hurdles. Shaped as though in need of a stiffer test when fourth of 10 in the Kempton handicap won by Happy Boy (2m, good) and this track will be more to his liking. Cheekpieces refitted.

Form: 2274-

Kauto Kawai^t¹¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 98

25/1

Runner-up in a juvenile hurdle on debut/sole start for previous connections in France but hasn't performed to that level in 4 runs for new connections. Still, he's in good hands and will likely come good at some point.

Form: 29756-

Albert Park^t²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: David Noonan| T: N J Hawke| OR: 98

16/1

Fairly useful ex-Irish Flat maiden who has been brought along steadily over hurdles, latest third on handicap debut over 2m at Kempton was a creditable effort. 1 lb lower here and he has to enter calculations.

Form: 0553-

Thatza Dazzler¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: C Brace| T: D Brace| OR: 89| D

6/1

Offered little before causing a surprise to open account over fences at Ludlow (2m, heavy) in February. Left previous form in this sphere well behind when going down narrowly at Ffos Las (15.8f, good to soft) recently and he should be in the thick of things.

Form: 6U1P2-2

Exclusive Getaway^t1²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Toby Wynne⁽³⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 76

9/1

Raised his game a touch when 9¼ lengths third to Happy Boy on handicap debut at Kempton (2m, good). Sports a first-time tongue strap and each-way chance, despite the fact that he's 3 lb 'wrong' at the weights.

Form: 260073-

Square Du Roule^t1⁵²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: James Davies| T: N J Hawke| OR: 80

100/1

Midfield in 2 bumpers towards the end of 2023 and no show in 3 starts over hurdles. Tongue strap enlisted for this handicap debut and big step forward needed.

Form: 86987-

Forecasts

Happy Boy (7/2), Strutter (9/2), Electric Eddy (9/2), Thatza Dazzler (6/1), Orchestra (13/2), Exclusive Getaway (9/1), Coin Basket (14/1), Albert Park (16/1), Kauto Kawai (25/1), L'allier (28/1), Square Du Roule (100/1)

With improvement on the cards now venturing down the handicap route, STRUTTER could be the way to go in this competitive-looking contest. Orchestra appeared to find things happening too quickly behind Happy Boy at Kempton but this stiffer track will aid his cause and he is next on the list ahead of Thatza Dazzler and Albert Park.