Mares Take the Spotlight at Uttoxeter
What a cracking afternoon we had at Uttoxeter! Thursday's card was absolutely stuffed with quality, headlined by not one but TWO £50,000 mares' finals that had punters scratching their heads and trainers eyeing up the prize money with serious intent.
The good ground played its part perfectly, allowing these talented ladies to show their true colours in what turned out to be a proper day of competitive National Hunt action. From the opening maiden hurdle right through to the bumper finale, there wasn't a dull moment to be found.
Feature Races Deliver the Goods
The Sporting Agenda Challenger Series Mares' Chase Final over three miles and a furlong was the day's showpiece, and what a field they assembled! Party Vibes, fresh off David Bass's back with a lofty 125 rating, looked the one to beat on paper, but this game is never played on paper, is it?
Ede'iffs Rock under the capable hands of amateur rider Mr Darren Andrews brought serious each-way appeal at 122. There's something about a good amateur in a big pot that always gets the blood pumping, and Andrews has been riding with real confidence this season.
But it was Minniemum for Sam Twiston-Davies that caught my eye as a potential improver. The 'D' next to her name tells you she's been disappointing lately, but sometimes that's exactly when these tough mares bounce back with a vengeance.
The KTDA Mares' Hurdle Final over two and a half miles was equally competitive. Siog Geal topped the weights at 127 under Fern O'Brien – a combination that's been clicking lately. But in a race like this, it's often the unexposed types that come to the fore.
Ones to Follow Going Forward
Testing Patience in the opening maiden hurdle is a name to file away for future reference. Rated 117 already, Caoilin Quinn's mount looked head and shoulders above this field on paper. If he's found his jumping legs, expect to see him in much better company before the season's out.
From the John Sillett Memorial, J J Moon under Ben Jones screamed value to me. A 130 rating in a Class 3 handicap? Someone's having a laugh! Either this horse has serious problems, or the handicapper's given connections a right gift. I know which way I'm leaning.
Thank You Ma'am deserves a mention too. Miss Olive Nicholls has been building a tidy string, and this mare's 124 rating suggests she's been mixing it at a decent level. The extended three-mile trip looked tailor-made for her stamina-laden pedigree.
Down in the birthday handicap chase, keep an eye on Ironica de Thaix. Charlie Deutsch's booking caught my attention, and that 100 rating looks workable in Class 5 company. These French imports often take time to acclimatise, but when they do...
Jockey and Trainer Combinations to Note
Harry Skelton was doing his usual trick of picking up decent rides across the card. His mount Theonewedreamof in the mares' chase and Service Minimum in the mares' hurdle both looked like they could outrun their odds.
The Twiston-Davies team were well represented too, with Sam picking up some tasty rides including the aforementioned Minniemum and Hard Dealt. When the big yards are sending their number one jockeys to Uttoxeter on a Thursday, you know the prize money's worth chasing.
Ben Jones was another jockey worth following, with three rides including the well-handicapped J J Moon. His 10% strike rate this season might not set the world alight, but he knows his way around Uttoxeter better than most.
Looking Ahead – Where Next?
The beauty of days like this is they often act as stepping stones to bigger things. Those mares' finals winners will have Cheltenham and Aintree on their radar for next season, while the maiden hurdle victor will be eyeing up novice hurdles through the summer months.
For the handicappers, expect to see several of today's runners popping up at tracks like Bangor, Ludlow, and back here at Uttoxeter over the coming weeks. The good ground merchants will be hoping this dry spell continues, while others will be praying for some juice in the ground.
The bumper field was particularly interesting from a future perspective. Sixteen runners going to post in a National Hunt Flat race tells you there's plenty of optimism among connections. Nevada Samba under Tom Bellamy looked the pick on breeding, but in bumpers, it's often the unfancied ones that spring surprises.
Final Thoughts
Thursday's Uttoxeter racecard delivered exactly what it promised – competitive racing, quality fields, and plenty of talking points for the journey home. The mares' finals provided the glamour, but it was the depth of quality throughout the card that really impressed.
Days like this remind you why National Hunt racing remains the most thrilling spectacle in sport. Where else can you see £50,000 races followed by honest handicappers all scrapping for every penny? The atmosphere was electric, the racing was top-drawer, and the horses gave their all on good ground that suited everyone.
Roll on the next Uttoxeter meeting – if it's half as good as this one, we're in for another treat!
