Monday's Menu at Uttoxeter
Right then, settle in with your Monday morning brew because Uttoxeter has served up a proper feast of National Hunt action for us today. Six races on the card, and with the going reading a perfect 'Good', we're in for some honest jumping on ground that'll suit the majority of these battlers.
The Staffordshire track might not have the glamour of Cheltenham or the prestige of Aintree, but by Christ, it knows how to put on a show for the Monday punters. Today's Uttoxeter racecard is headlined by a couple of decent handicap chases that should provide plenty of entertainment and, more importantly, a few quid in the pocket if we play our cards right.
The Feature Attraction
The Moore & Tibbits Solicitors Handicap Chase at 15:15 is where the real business gets done today. Eight runners over two miles and change, with Uncle Phil sitting pretty at the top of the weights on a mark of 122. Now, Chester Williams' nine-year-old might be giving lumps of weight away, but there's method to this madness.
Uncle Phil has been knocking on the door all season, and Lorcan Williams knows this horse like the back of his hand. The good going is absolutely bang on for this lad - he's never been one for the heavy stuff, but give him decent ground and he'll gallop all day. At 122, he's rated where he is for good reason, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him make every yard a winning one.
The danger comes from Lacrima, who's been progressive for Nick Scholfield and gets the services of Tom Cannon. This five-year-old is still learning his trade over fences, but 117 looks workable, and the step up in trip should suit. Don't write off Irish Chorus either - Alan King's seven-year-old has both course and distance form in the book, which counts for plenty around here.
Mares' Maiden Mayhem
The opening Mares' Maiden Hurdle at 14:40 is one of those races that'll have you reaching for the form book and a strong coffee. Fourteen runners, most of them unrated, and enough question marks to fill a Leaving Cert exam paper.
Great Dance stands out like a sore thumb with that 115 rating - she's clearly got ability, but there's obviously something that's been keeping her in maiden company. Lorcan Williams takes the ride again, and Chester Williams clearly fancies his chances with two decent rides on the card.
Crystal Days brings a 102 rating and course form to the table, which makes Ben Jones an interesting booking for Ben Pauling. The six-year-old has been thereabouts without winning, but this looks the sort of race where experience could trump raw ability.
Keep an eye on Cushendall for Alan King - no rating yet, but King doesn't run them unless they're ready, and Tom Cannon wouldn't be getting the leg-up if there wasn't something there.
The Marathon Test
The Hazelton Mountford Insurance Brokers Handicap Hurdle at 15:50 is a proper staying test - three miles and a furlong that'll sort the men from the boys, or in this case, the stayers from the pretenders.
Spitalfield tops the weights for the O'Neill team, and you know what you're getting with anything that carries those famous green and gold silks. The eight-year-old has been consistent without being spectacular, but this trip is right up his street, and Richie McLernon knows how to get a tune out of a staying hurdler.
Reforme for Tom Gretton looks interesting at the weights. The seven-year-old has been campaigned sparingly, which often means connections are waiting for the right opportunity. At 97, he gets his chance to prove he belongs at this level.
Late Card Highlights
The 16:25 handicap chase over two miles four furlongs brings us Imperial Bede, who'll be popular with the punters. Harry Cobden in the saddle for the O'Neill team, and this eight-year-old has been running consistently well without getting his head in front. The distance form suggests this trip could unlock improvement.
The penultimate race at 17:00 sees Wild Goose and Continuance locked together at the top of the weights on 122. Both have been running well, and it could come down to which one handles the good ground better on the day.
Brendan Powell picks up some decent rides throughout the card, including Elated in the opener and Mc'flo in the finale - worth keeping an eye on his mounts for the shrewd money.
Best Bets and Ones to Watch
Uncle Phil in the 15:15 is my banker of the day - the class is there, the trip is perfect, and the good going plays to his strengths. At the weights, he should have too much for this field.
Great Dance in the opener looks overpriced given that rating, even allowing for the maiden tag. Sometimes these well-rated maidens just need the right race to fall into place.
For the longer-priced punters, keep Reforme on side in the staying hurdle. The booking of Conor O'Farrell suggests connections fancy their chances, and 97 looks workable in this company.
It's shaping up to be a cracking afternoon's sport at Uttoxeter. The ground is perfect, the fields are competitive, and there's money to be made if you pick your spots carefully. Get stuck in, and may the racing gods smile upon us all!
