2.10 Boots Opticians Uttoxeter Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle (2m7½f)
1. Keel Strand (FR)
- TimeWise Rating: 300
- Recent Form & Comments: This progressive 5-year-old won three consecutive races at Newton Abbot in June/July over distances ranging from 2m5f to 3m2f on good ground. He found things tougher when upped in grade over the course and distance (C&D) last time. His running style is to press leaders. His trainer, P Nicholls, has a 75% run-to-form percentage in the last 14 days.
- Chances Assessment: Keel Strand has a strong winning profile over similar staying trips on good ground. The 3lb claim from his jockey is beneficial. However, the forecast rain “dents his appeal” as his wins have been on good ground, suggesting a potential weakness if the ground softens. He is a strong contender if conditions remain favourable.
2. Galata Bridge
- TimeWise Rating: 285
- Recent Form & Comments: He has a record of 4 wins from 20 hurdles starts, all achieved on good ground. He finished a close third in first-time cheekpieces at Market Rasen over 2m7f on good ground last month, despite several flights being omitted. He is still considered unexposed over staying trips. His running style is to press leaders. His trainer, Dr R Newland & J Insole, has a 100% run-to-form percentage in the last 14 days.
- Chances Assessment: Galata Bridge is in excellent form, as evidenced by his recent close third, and is noted as unexposed over staying distances. The trainer’s high run-to-form percentage is a positive. Similar to Keel Strand, the “forecast rain dents his appeal” due to his preference for good ground. He should be competitive if the ground holds up.
2.40 Gem Property Solutions Maiden Hurdle (2m4f)
1. Percy Shelley
- TimeWise Rating: 325
- Recent Form & Comments: Percy Shelley is a useful Flat racer who has finished second in five consecutive races this summer over 1m6f-2m. He is versatile regarding ground conditions. His trainer, J Owen, has a 56% run-to-form percentage in the last 14 days.
- Chances Assessment: Percy Shelley brings strong and consistent Flat form, suggesting raw ability. He is expected to handle softer ground. His biggest strength is his proven class on the Flat, but his weakness is that this is his debut over hurdles, meaning his jumping ability is untested. If he adapts well to hurdling, he could “outclass this field”.
2. Three Pikes
- TimeWise Rating: 282
- Recent Form & Comments: He has been a runner-up in two 2m2f maiden hurdles at Newton Abbot on good ground, following a bumper win there in June. In his most recent outing, he lost out by a short head after stumbling just after the final flight. His running style is to press leaders. His trainer, H Oliver, has a 0% run-to-form percentage in the last 14 days.
- Chances Assessment: Three Pikes possesses proven jumping ability and consistent form in maiden hurdles, appearing unlucky not to win last time. His suitability for good to soft ground is noted. A potential weakness is his trainer’s low recent run-to-form percentage. He is considered a strong contender with “obvious claims”.
3.10 Pete Ball 60th Birthday Celebration Handicap Chase (2m)
1. Harel Du Marais (FR)
- TimeWise Rating: 311
- Recent Form & Comments: This 8-year-old has won 3 of his 7 starts for his current stable since March. His latest win was at Market Rasen over 2m1f on good ground last month. He has received a 3lb rise, which is “not excessive”. He is a held-up runner. His trainer, C & A Pogson, has a 0% run-to-form percentage in the last 14 days.
- Chances Assessment: Harel Du Marais is in good form, with multiple wins for his new stable, and is noted for being adaptable to slower ground. Despite the trainer’s low recent run-to-form percentage, his consistent performance makes him a “respected” contender.
2. Obsessedwithyou (FR)
- TimeWise Rating: 287
- Recent Form & Comments: She has won 2 of her 4 starts since switching to fences this season, with victories at Ffos Las (2m) and Bangor (2m4f), both on good ground. She was below form on her last outing. She is a held-up runner. Her trainer, J Snowden, has an 80% run-to-form percentage in the last 14 days.
- Chances Assessment: Obsessedwithyou has a good strike-rate over fences this season, and her trainer is in excellent form. However, her last run was disappointing, and she “may not be favoured by the forecast rain” as her wins came on good ground, which could be a weakness if conditions worsen.
3.40 quinnbet.com Handicap Chase (3m)
1. Olivers Travels (IRE)
- TimeWise Rating: 353
- Recent Form & Comments: He ran well in two competitive 3m2f chases at Uttoxeter on good ground earlier in the summer. He then posted a career-best performance at Cartmel (3m1f, good) three weeks ago, winning impressively by 6 lengths. He runs from a held-up position. His trainer, M Bowen, has a 75% run-to-form percentage in the last 14 days.
- Chances Assessment: Olivers Travels is in prime form, coming off a career-best win, and has a strong record over staying trips on good ground. His trainer is also in good form. A significant weakness is that he “will have something to prove if the ground is slower than good to soft”, and the “forecast rain is a worry”.
2. Village Master (IRE)
- TimeWise Rating: 318
- Recent Form & Comments: He boasts an excellent 8-11 strike-rate over fences. He finished fourth behind Olivers Travels at Uttoxeter (3m2f, good) in July but “still ran pretty well”. He typically presses leaders. He has raced mainly on good ground but “has won on soft”.
- Chances Assessment: Village Master’s excellent strike-rate and proven ability on soft ground are significant strengths. He is considered to have “possibilities” and “may yet have a better performance in him”. His versatility regarding ground makes him a strong challenger.
4.10 Mercia Power 10 Year Celebration Handicap Hurdle (2m4f)
1. Audacious Annie
- TimeWise Rating: 320
- Recent Form & Comments: She has won 2 of her 4 hurdles starts, ending last season with two 2m3f good-ground wins against novice mares. She is making her handicap debut in a “much deeper race” and has fitness to prove after a five-month break. She is a pressed-leaders runner. Her trainer, J Snowden, has an 80% run-to-form percentage in the last 14 days.
- Chances Assessment: Audacious Annie is open to further improvement on her handicap debut, boasts a good winning record, and her trainer is in good form. She “won’t mind if the ground turns soft”, indicating versatility. Her main weaknesses are the lay-off and the step up in grade.
2. Goodwin (IRE)
- TimeWise Rating: 293
- Recent Form & Comments: Goodwin “lost his way” after a promising novice campaign but won comfortably in first-time cheekpieces at Fontwell (2m3f, good) last week. He is still considered “well handicapped under a 7lb penalty”. He is also “effective on good to soft” but unraced on anything slower. He leads during his races. His trainer, C Gordon, has a 100% run-to-form percentage in the last 14 days.
- Chances Assessment: Goodwin comes into this race after a convincing win and is still on a competitive mark despite the penalty. His trainer is in excellent form. A concern is whether his revival will maintain momentum, and he is unproven on ground slower than good to soft.
4.40 QuinnBet Handicap Chase (2m4f)
1. Shantou Lucky (IRE)
- TimeWise Rating: 257
- Recent Form & Comments: He was “evidently revitalised” by a switch to his current stable, winning by 20 lengths over hurdles at Fontwell (2m5f, good) last week. He then “cosily landed the odds” at Worcester yesterday. He typically presses leaders. His trainer, J Owen, has a 56% run-to-form percentage in the last 14 days.
- Chances Assessment: Shantou Lucky is in exceptional recent form, with two dominant wins. He is versatile regarding ground, having won on good and soft. If he reverts to chasing and maintains this level, he “could be very hard to beat”. His jockey’s 3lb claim is also a benefit. The main question is whether he can transfer this hurdles form to fences immediately.
2. Let Me Go Boys (IRE)
- TimeWise Rating: 234
- Recent Form & Comments: He is a maiden after six hurdles starts. He stayed on for third place at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) in May, but “two lesser efforts have followed”. He is dropping in trip for his chasing debut and “needs to up his game”. He leads during his races.
- Chances Assessment: Let Me Go Boys has shown some promise with a placing at this course, but his overall form is inconsistent, and he is yet to win over hurdles. His chasing debut requires a significant improvement. The shorter trip might suit, but he faces a tough task.
5.10 Download The QuinnBet App Handicap Hurdle (2m)
1. Diesel Line (IRE)
- TimeWise Rating: 267
- Recent Form & Comments: He was “seemingly aided by new tongue-tie” for his new stable this summer, achieving a convincing C&D (good) success from off the pace. He was “not quite as good” at Stratford last time. He typically presses leaders. His trainer, C & A Pogson, has a 0% run-to-form percentage in the last 14 days.
- Chances Assessment: Diesel Line has demonstrated strong C&D form with an emphatic win, and the tongue-tie appears to have had a positive impact. However, his form dipped slightly last time, and he is “not sure to be suited by rain”. His trainer’s current low run-to-form percentage is a concern. He has “strong claims” but his chances could be affected by softer ground.
2. Rock On Tommy
- TimeWise Rating: 252
- Recent Form & Comments: He returned to form with a hard-fought win at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) in May, which was his fifth hurdles success, including three over this C&D. He was “well held” after a break at Worcester yesterday, finishing about 5 lengths behind Platenium. He is a held-up runner.
- Chances Assessment: Rock On Tommy has a proven track and distance record, including a recent hard-fought win. His strength is his previous course form, but his main weakness is his very recent poor performance and quick turnaround from yesterday’s race. This quick return after a poor run casts doubt on his chances today.
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