14:30 Uttoxeter

Friday 31 October 2025

All12:2512:5513:2513:5514:3015:0515:4016:15

Weatherbys & Birdie Calendars Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 5m 12.69s

Taras Halls²⁶¹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: G Sheehan| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 115| CD

7/1

A fair 2m4f chase winner but he was pulled up in handicap chase at Wetherby (19.4f, heavy) when last seen out in February. Reverts to hurdles now with work to do.

Form: 54216P-

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Shengai Enki¹⁸⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Isabelle Ryder⁽⁷⁾| T: F Brennan| OR: 114| C

22/1

Scored at Fontwell in February and held his form well after for Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole, posting a good fourth of 10 in handicap hurdle there (21.8f, good) in April. Needs to hit the ground running for his new stable though.

Form: 513224-

Jackpot Cash^h²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: Mr Alex Chadwick⁽³⁾| T: James Owen| OR: 114| BF| D

7/2

Has thrived following a switch to this yard, scoring for fourth time (over hurdles/fences) in 2m5f chase at Sedgefield in May, Off 5 months but was still going strongly when unseated rider 5 out in 2m4f handicap hurdle at Huntingdon 24 days ago. A likely player.

Form: 311-21U

Harper Valley^p,t³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: Ross Chapman| T: R Menzies| OR: 114| D

18/1

Hinted at a revival when fourth of 12 in handicap hurdle at Perth (20.2f, good to soft) 37 days ago, left with a lot to do. One to consider eased 1 lb.

Form: 4399F4

John Barbour^t³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 113| BF| C

9/2

Got off the mark over hurdles at Newbury in March but resumed after 5 months off/wind op with a below-form fourth of 12 in novice hurdle at Newton Abbot (17f, good to firm) 32 days ago. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 42120-4

As Legends Have It²⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 113

11/2

A fairly useful bumper winner who showed promise when placed in a trio of hurdles last season, third of 14 in 2m3f Chepstow novice final run. Looks to start life in handicaps on a good mark. Big shout.

Form: 321/233-

The Long Walk¹⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 113

9/2

Walk In The Park gelding who was much improved under a change of tactics when making all in 6-runner novice hurdle at Warwick (19f, good to soft) in May. Must enter calculations on his first go in handicaps.

Form: 32636-1

Ilitch²¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Hammond| T: S Edmunds| OR: 108

9/1

Ex-Irish gelding ended last term on the up for hiscurrent yard, bagging 10-runner handicap hurdle at Fontwell (17.7f, good) in March. Open to further progress, especially over this longer trip.

Form: 3F4421-

Book Of Tales¹⁶⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Daire James McConville⁽⁷⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 107

10/1

A fair Flat/hurdles winner who wasn't disgraced when fifth of 12 in handicap hurdle at Aintree (16.5f, good to firm) in May. Possibilities on his seasonal return.

Form: 1/2402-5

Swift Jet¹⁹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Finn Lambert⁽³⁾| T: R T Phillips| OR: 105

50/1

Lightly-raced maiden hurdler who came in last of 6 on his handicap bow at Ludlow (23.8f, good) in April. Needs to take a big step forward on his reappearance.

Form: 49/5366-

Streamsforth Lad^t⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Jack Hogan| T: G Hanmer| OR: 96

16/1

Still a maiden but not discredited back with former yard (formerly with Gordon Elliott) when third of 15 in handicap hurdle over C&D 45 days ago. Can make his presence felt off the same mark.

Form: 46/6P-63

Forecasts

Jackpot Cash (7/2), John Barbour (9/2), The Long Walk (9/2), As Legends Have It (11/2), Taras Halls (7/1), Ilitch (9/1), Book Of Tales (10/1), Streamsforth Lad (16/1), Harper Valley (18/1), Shengai Enki (22/1), Swift Jet (50/1)

A case can be made for a few of these but Ben Pauling's AS LEGENDS HAVE IT looks to have got in quite lightly for his first venture into handicap company so earns the vote from James Owen's thriving Jackpot Cash who rates a big danger. Returning duo The Long Walk an Ilitch both look to have more to offer too and can also have a say in this cracking handicap. Harper Valley completes the shortlist.