This analysis covers all scheduled Uttoxeter races in chronological order, identifying the top two rated horses based on the TimeWise Master Rating (or best available RPR/OR proxy when Master Rating is unavailable for unexposed horses, as indicated by the highest “latest master” rating listed in the racecard table).
1. 12.25 Mares’ Maiden Hurdle (1m 7f 168y)
| Rank | Horse (Age/Wgt) | TimeWise Master Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | La Conquiere (6/11-6) | 125 |
| 2 | Dream Shadow (6/11-6) | 117 |
Recent Form and Comments
- La Conquiere: Was runner-up on her bumper debut at Thurles in December. She lost out only by half a length when finishing second in the Grade 2 Aintree festival bumper in April for her new stable. She should be hard to beat on her hurdling debut if she jumps adequately.
- Dream Shadow: Won a course bumper last October and was subsequently placed in two Listed bumpers, including one on good to soft ground. She comes from a good jumping family and is making her hurdling debut.
Spotlight Verdict
The suggestion in this competitive mares’ maiden is LA CONQUIERE, who was a very creditable second in a hot Aintree bumper on her stable debut in April. Dream Shadow may be the main danger, having been placed in two Listed bumpers last season, while Crystal Days also has good bumper form and is next on the list.
Race Statistics
- Age Groups: 5-year-olds (5yo) show the most runners (2-3-9), followed by 6-year-olds (6yo, 0-0-4) and 4-year-olds (4yo, 0-1-3). Two winners have come from the 5yo group.
- Fate of Favourites: Favourites have a record of 42 (2 winners from 4 tested).
- Trainer Records (w-pl-r): Fergal O’Brien (1-0-2), Harry Fry (0-1-1).
Assessment of the Top Two
- La Conquiere:
- Strengths: Holds the highest rating and possesses strong bumper form, including a runner-up finish in a Grade 2.
- Weaknesses: This is her hurdling debut; success depends on jumping adequately.
- Suitability: Considered a major player and likely hard to beat.
- Dream Shadow:
- Strengths: Good bumper form (Listed placed) and positive pedigree for jumping.
- Weaknesses: Also making her hurdling debut.
- Suitability: Expected to play a big role and is nominated as the main danger.
2. 12.55 QuinnBet Daily Free Bet Handicap Chase (2m 4f)
| Rank | Horse (Age/Wgt) | TimeWise Master Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flash In The Park (7/11-10) | 112 |
| 2 | Valence D’Aumont (11/11-3) | 108 |
Recent Form and Comments
- Flash In The Park: Won over this course and distance (C&D) last November, but is now 9lb lower. He has been very inconsistent for his new stable this year and was a modest sixth of eight in July. He is missing his usual tongue-tie. OR 94.
- Valence D’Aumont: Exploited a much reduced mark to win by a short head at Catterick (2m3f, soft) in January. However, he ended last season with two lesser efforts. As an older horse, he has a less appealing profile than some younger rivals. OR 87.
Spotlight Verdict
Heeztheboy won in very good style on his recent stable debut at Hexham and is respected but KINGOFTHESWINGERZ produced a good late surge to collar the leader on last month’s chasing debut at Worcester and a subsequent 2lb rise could turn out to be lenient. Saint Cyr De Pail fell heavily on his chasing debut but was running well at the time and is next on the list, ahead of Stardhem.
Race Statistics
- Age Groups: 6-year-olds (6yo) have the most runners (1-4-16) and 7-year-olds (7yo) are also prominent (2-3-12). 7yo and 8yo groups have two winners each recorded.
- Fate of Favourites: Favourites have a record of 12451 (1 winner from 5 tested).
- Trainer Records (w-pl-r): Ben Pauling (0-1-1).
Assessment of the Top Two
- Flash In The Park:
- Strengths: Proven C&D winner and now runs off a mark 9lb lower than that victory.
- Weaknesses: Highly inconsistent form this year, returning from a modest run, and racing without his usual tongue-tie.
- Suitability: Unreliable, but capable if he rediscovers his previous winning form.
- Valence D’Aumont:
- Strengths: Recently won off a reduced mark.
- Weaknesses: Profile is less appealing than younger horses; ended last season with poor efforts.
- Suitability: Needs to bounce back from poor seasonal closing form to contend.
3. 1.25 QuinnBet Novices’ Hurdle (Div I) (2m 3f 207y)
| Rank | Horse (Age/Wgt) | TimeWise Master Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Just Golden (5/11-0) | 120 |
| 2 | Aim Straight (5/11-0) | 114 |
Recent Form and Comments
- Just Golden: Followed a promising debut by winning a soft-ground Chepstow bumper clearly in February. He is making his hurdle debut. OR unavailable.
- Aim Straight: Showed promise when finishing sixth in a 2m maiden hurdle at Worcester (good to soft) last month. He was not beaten far in a Worcester bumper last autumn. He is not bred for this extended trip. OR unavailable.
Spotlight Verdict
Today’s step up in trip may enable Top Jimmy (second choice) to progress from his recent 2m course win, while Coastal Command showed enough on his bumper debut to suggest he can make his mark over hurdles soon. However, JUST GOLDEN won a Chepstow bumper fairly comfortably in February and gets the nod.
Race Statistics
- Age Groups: 5-year-olds (5yo) are the most frequent runners and most successful group (7-8-48).
- Fate of Favourites: Favourites have a difficult record of 141F63P2P5 (2 winners from 9 tested).
- Trainer Records (w-pl-r): Jennie Candlish (1-0-1), Dan Skelton (0-1-3), Emma Lavelle (0-1-4), Fergal O’Brien (0-1-3), Nicky Henderson (0-1-1).
Assessment of the Top Two
- Just Golden:
- Strengths: Clear bumper winner and a leading contender on paper for his hurdle debut.
- Weaknesses: Needs to prove he handles quicker ground (previous win on soft).
- Suitability: Highly regarded and receives the nod from the Spotlight.
- Aim Straight:
- Strengths: Showed promise in a recent hurdle run, giving him an experience edge over some rivals. Has each-way claims.
- Weaknesses: Not ideally bred for the longer trip (2m 3f 207y).
- Suitability: Needs further improvement, but an in-the-mix contender.
4. 1.55 QuinnBet Novices’ Hurdle (Div II) (2m 3f 207y)
| Rank | Horse (Age/Wgt) | TimeWise Master Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maximum Offers (6/11-7) | 115 |
| 2 | Tech That (6/11-0) | 107 |
Recent Form and Comments
- Maximum Offers: Won a Huntingdon maiden (2m, good) in March and ran to a similar level when second at Newcastle (2m4f, good) the following month. He sets a fair standard based on his established rules form. He carries a 7lb penalty. OR 113.
- Tech That: Finished third on his hurdle debut at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) in December, running well for a long way. He has been absent for 283 days and is untested on ground quicker than soft. OR unavailable.
Spotlight Verdict
Kilbakanto and Home Made Hero (preferred in that order) won Irish points towards the end of last year and both are of strong interest here but MAXIMUM OFFERS ended last season with two good hurdle runs and might be the answer.
Race Statistics (Based on 1.25 Novices’ Hurdle trends as a proxy)
- Age Groups: 5-year-olds (5yo) are the most frequent runners and most successful group (7-8-48).
- Fate of Favourites: Favourites have a difficult record of 141F63P2P5 (2 winners from 9 tested).
- Trainer Records (w-pl-r): Jennie Candlish (1-0-1), Dan Skelton (0-1-3), Emma Lavelle (0-1-4), Fergal O’Brien (0-1-3), Nicky Henderson (0-1-1).
Assessment of the Top Two
- Maximum Offers:
- Strengths: Sets the standard with proven winning form over hurdles on good ground.
- Weaknesses: Carries a 7lb penalty.
- Suitability: A leading contender based on experience and form.
- Tech That:
- Strengths: Showed solid promise on his hurdle debut.
- Weaknesses: Has been absent for a long period (283 days) and is untested on good ground.
- Suitability: Capable of being competitive if fit and handles the surface.
5. 2.30 Weatherbys & Birdie Calendars Handicap Hurdle (2m 3f 207y)
| Rank | Horse (Age/Wgt) | TimeWise Master Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harper Valley (8/11-13) | 120 |
| 2 | Streamsforth Lad (7/10-9) | 118 |
Recent Form and Comments
- Harper Valley: Showed a step back in the right direction when finishing a respectable fourth at Perth (2m4f, good to soft) last month. He is currently 1lb below his last winning mark. OR 114.
- Streamsforth Lad: Has never won over hurdles (0-7). However, having rejoined Gary Hanmer, he defied 40-1 odds to finish a credible third over C&D (good) last month. OR 96.
Spotlight Verdict
Jackpot Cash (second choice) has made good progress for James Owen this year and may yet have a bigger performance in him, while handicap debutants As Legends Have It and The Long Walk also make appeal. However, the suggestion is ILITCH, who was nicely in command in the closing stages of a 2m1f Fontwell handicap in March and can probably improve again over longer trips this season.
Race Statistics
- Age Groups: 6-year-olds (6yo) have the highest number of runs (0-1-8), followed by 7-year-olds (7yo, 1-1-6). 7yo horses have recorded one win in the sample.
- Fate of Favourites: Favourites have a record of 21 (1 winner from 2 tested).
- Trainer Records (w-pl-r): No specific trainer records are listed for this race.
Assessment of the Top Two
- Harper Valley:
- Strengths: Running off a competitive mark (1lb below last win) and recently posted a respectable run.
- Weaknesses: Needs to build on that recent effort.
- Suitability: A solid competitor in this grade, aiming for better form.
- Streamsforth Lad:
- Strengths: Posted a very strong effort over C&D last month (third at 40-1).
- Weaknesses: Still searching for his first hurdle win (0-7).
- Suitability: A major contender if he can replicate his recent C&D performance.
6. 3.05 Kalahari King ‘Chasing Excellence’ Beginners’ Chase (1m 7f 214y)
| Rank | Horse (Age/Wgt) | TimeWise Master Rating (OR Proxy) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lump Sum (7/11-5) | 146 (OR) |
| 2 | Jax Junior (6/11-5) | 136 (OR) |
Note: For this beginners’ chase, previous hurdling OR is used as the proxy for quality, as listed Master Ratings for chasing debutants are often undeveloped.
Recent Form and Comments
- Lump Sum: A smart hurdler who won the Welsh Champion Hurdle (2m, good to soft) on reappearance last season. Subsequently placed second in the Fighting Fifth and William Hill Hurdle. Absent since a below-par run in March. OR 146.
- Jax Junior: A front-runner who proved to be a very useful novice hurdler last season, including winning at Cheltenham (2m4f, good). He is not sure to be suited by today’s drop back to 2m. OR 136.
Spotlight Verdict
Lump Sum has the best hurdling form and could potentially take high rank among this season’s 2m novice chasers but front-runner JAX JUNIOR will presumably be ridden very positively on this drop back in trip and gets the vote in the hope he quickly gets into a fluent jumping rhythm. The other three runners in this very interesting beginners’ chase are also good prospects.
Race Statistics
Specific race statistics (Age Groups, Fate of Favourites, Trainer Records) for the 3.05 Chase are not provided in the source material.
Assessment of the Top Two
- Lump Sum:
- Strengths: Best hurdling form in the field, multiple Grade 1 placements, suggests high-class chasing recruit potential.
- Weaknesses: Has been absent since March, making his chase debut.
- Suitability: Commands respect, despite the layoff and chase debut.
- Jax Junior:
- Strengths: Useful novice hurdler, strong front-running style.
- Weaknesses: The drop back to 2m may not be ideal, as his major win was over 2m4f.
- Suitability: Preferred by the Spotlight due to his positive running style, provided he jumps fluently.
7. 3.40 QuinnBet Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Hurdle (1m 7f 168y)
| Rank | Horse (Age/Wgt) | TimeWise Master Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kally Des Bruyeres (5/11-7) | 105 |
| 2 | The Last Drop (6/10-11) | 105 |
Recent Form and Comments
- Kally Des Bruyeres: Caused a 200-1 surprise when winning a Huntingdon maiden (2m, good) in November. However, she struggled in all three subsequent handicaps and is returning from a seven-month absence. OR 92.
- The Last Drop: A lightly raced mare. She returned from a long absence with a reasonably encouraging handicap debut over C&D (good) in May. She was well beaten when moving up to 2m4f in July. She is now dropping back in trip. OR 82.
Spotlight Verdict
Progressive for his new stable this season and very well suited by this C&D, DIESEL LINE (nap) is selected to record his third win of the campaign. Cawthorne Banker, also a C&D winner, has turned his career around in recent months and is second choice. Little Venice and Tigers Moon also have possibilities.
Race Statistics
- Age Groups: 5-year-olds (5yo, 2-4-23), 6-year-olds (6yo, 3-2-24), and 7-year-olds (7yo, 2-6-13) are the most prominent groups. The 6yo group shows the highest number of wins (3).
- Fate of Favourites: Favourites have a strong record of 5214111111 (8 winners from 10 tested).
- Trainer Records (w-pl-r): No specific trainer records are listed for this race.
Assessment of the Top Two
- Kally Des Bruyeres:
- Strengths: Has won over 2m on good ground.
- Weaknesses: Struggled significantly in subsequent handicaps and faces a seven-month absence.
- Suitability: Needs substantial improvement and carries significant risk.
- The Last Drop:
- Strengths: Showed encouraging form on her previous C&D handicap debut.
- Weaknesses: Well beaten last time out, relatively unexposed but needs to prove her quality in this field.
- Suitability: Returns to a suitable trip, but needs to prove she can compete effectively against stronger rivals.
8. 4.15 QuinnBet National Hunt Flat Race (1m 7f 168y)
| Rank | Horse (Age/Wgt) | TimeWise Master Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Plains Drifter (5/11-2) | 120 |
| 2 | Not At That Price (5/11-2) | 111 |
Recent Form and Comments
- Plains Drifter: Made a “pretty good start” to his rules career when finishing second of five runners at Market Rasen (good) in March. He is likely to be on the premises if repeating that form. OR unavailable.
- Not At That Price: Brother to a Listed bumper winner. Finished close up in fourth place at Warwick (good) and Ludlow (good to soft) in the spring. OR unavailable.
Spotlight Verdict
Plains Drifter ran well at Market Rasen in March but there are some interesting newcomers on show here. The most appealing option is MAGS OCEAN, who is bred to be a useful bumper performer. Independent Lady (second choice) and Belle Brise also have possibilities.
Race Statistics
- Age Groups: 4-year-olds (4yo, 2-7-31) and 5-year-olds (5yo, 2-1-7) have been successful in this category.
- Fate of Favourites: Favourites have a record of 2122 (1 winner from 4 tested).
- Trainer Records (w-pl-r): Fergal O’Brien (2-1-3), Olly Murphy (1-1-2).
Assessment of the Top Two
- Plains Drifter:
- Strengths: Good debut form achieved on good ground.
- Weaknesses: Faces some interesting, highly-regarded newcomers.
- Suitability: Expected to be prominent if running to his March form.
- Not At That Price:
- Strengths: Good pedigree (brother to a Listed bumper winner) and consistent placement in his previous runs.
- Weaknesses: None explicit, but hasn’t achieved a win yet.
- Suitability: Anticipated to feature again in this type of contest.
TimeWise Chronicles 
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