Good Ground Brings Out The Best
Sunday afternoon at Uttoxeter promises to be a cracker, with eight races of quality National Hunt action on what looks to be perfect jumping ground. The going is described as Good, Good to Soft in places - exactly the conditions that'll have the better horses showing their true colours without the slog of heavy ground or the lottery of firm.
This Staffordshire track has always been a fair test of jumping and stamina, and with the ground riding as it should, we're in for some proper racing. The Uttoxeter racecard is packed with competitive handicaps and some smart novices, headlined by a cracking Class 3 staying hurdle that should sort the wheat from the chaff.
Super Survivor Headlines The Feature
The pick of the day has to be the 16:13 Challenger Stayers Hurdle Series Qualifier over three miles and two furlongs. At £18,000 in prize money, it's drawn a field of seven that includes some seriously talented stayers, topped by the evergreen Super Survivor.
This ten-year-old gelding for Jamie Snowden carries top weight of 136 but arrives here in the form of his life. Gavin Sheehan takes the ride, and you'd be hard pressed to find a better partnership for a staying hurdle. Super Survivor has been there, done it, and bought the t-shirt - exactly the sort of battle-hardened campaigner who thrives when the heat is on.
The main danger looks to be Bill Joyce, also rated 136 and carrying the same weight. Jonjo O'Neill Jr. is in the saddle for his father's yard, and this seven-year-old has been knocking on the door in some decent company. The 'C' beside his name tells you he's won at the course before, which is always a massive advantage around Uttoxeter's unique contours.
Mars Harper The Each-Way Shout
Don't overlook Mars Harper at a bigger price. This ten-year-old veteran has bags of experience and Sean Bowen aboard never makes life easy for the favourites. At 129, he's getting 7lb from the top pair, which could be crucial over this marathon trip.
Conditional Jockeys Show Their Worth
The opening 13:40 Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle over two miles should provide a proper puzzle to start the afternoon. Thirteen runners with Aamilah Aswat taking the ride on top-rated So You Know for the Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls partnership.
This five-year-old is rated 111 and has the 'D' for distance winner, but in a field this competitive, you need to look beyond the obvious. Ukantango catches the eye with Lewis Stones up - this nine-year-old has both course and distance form and knows exactly what's required around here.
Oakley Brown partners Newtown Rambler, who's another with solid credentials, while the Irish raider Mo Ghille Mar with Paddy Hanlon in the saddle could be the value call at decent odds.
Novices With Serious Potential
The 14:40 Novices' Hurdle is a Novices' Championship Hurdle Series Qualifier, and it's brought together some smart types. Great Fleet heads the market for Dan Skelton with Harry Skelton doing the steering - this six-year-old is rated 124 and has distance-winning form.
But the one that's got my attention is Wilstar for Olly Murphy. Sean Bowen takes the ride on this six-year-old who's shown some serious ability in his novice campaign. At 120, he's only 4lb inferior to the favourite but could easily bridge that gap if continuing his upward trajectory.
Talakan is an interesting runner for Toby Lawes - this four-year-old is rated 122 and represents excellent each-way value in what looks a competitive heat.
Ladies First In The Mares' Chase
The 15:40 Mares' Handicap Steeplechase over just shy of three miles has drawn a small but select field of six. Epinephrine for Venetia Williams looks the class act with Charlie Deutsch aboard, but in a race like this, you can't ignore the course specialists.
She Is For Me Boys for Jamie Snowden could be the value, especially with Gavin Sheehan's claiming allowance bringing her right into contention. This seven-year-old has been consistent without winning lately, but a mares' only contest might be just what she needs.
Tom's Sunday Selections
Looking across the card, here's where the smart money should be going:
- Super Survivor in the 16:13 - class will tell over this trip
- Wilstar in the 14:40 - progressive novice with more to offer
- Mars Harper each-way in the 16:13 - veteran getting weight and respect
- Ukantango in the 13:40 - course and distance winner with Lewis Stones claiming
The ground conditions are spot on for some proper jumping, and with fields of this quality, we should be in for a Sunday afternoon to remember. The pick has to be Super Survivor in the feature - sometimes experience and class just can't be beaten, and this old warrior has both in spades.
