20:30 Uttoxeter

Thursday 15 June 2017

All17:5518:2518:5519:3020:0020:3021:00

Whitley Groundworks Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 20:30 | Winning time: 5m 5.3s

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Selected odds by:

Brass Monkey^p,t1²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: M Keighley| OR: 100| D

12/1

Has ability but not always the most cooperative, and looks hard work at times. Change of headgear here (a trick that has worked in the past) and this is easier but gave up the ghost at Stratford last time, and simply looks too risky.

Form: 413/9-3P

Global Fert⁶⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: D R Fox| T: N C Kelly| OR: 99

20/1

Yard do well with their raids here (5-15 last 5 seasons) and there have been signs of ability in his three hurdles starts to date, so has to be worth a look in the market on handicap debut here tonight.

Form: P/2P490-

Emigrated^b¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: R Johnson| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 98

8/1

Good effort on handicap debut at Downpatrick in May, running the improving Presenting Julio to just over a length, but hasn't reproduced that effort in two subsequent starts and needs to bounce back now. Chances if doing so.

Form: 008-208

Arboretum¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: M E Sowersby| OR: 92| D

3/1

Has looked a reformed character in two recent starts, traveling well and finding plenty for pressure in wins at at Southwell and Market Rasen. Handicapper has taken action now though, and will find life harder from a 13lb higher mark. Chances, but others preferred.

Form: 34P4-11

Faction^p²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Liam McKenna⁽⁷⁾| T: N J Hawke| OR: 96

12/1

Only four and has room for improvement, but will probably need it after a moderate first effort in handicaps at Bangor recently. Better ground may help his cause, however, so not completely discounted, but others still look more likely at this stage.

Form: 34-3

Silent Warrior^t³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Aidan Coleman| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 90

5/1

Some promise in novice hurdles last year but hasn't translated that into handicaps as yet, finishing well beaten at Southwell latest. Too soon to write off but does need to improve.

Form: 04785-5

Bay Fortuna⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Dave Crosse| T: M D I Usher| OR: 86| D

9/2

On a good mark on historical form, and showed enough in her first run for almost two years at Huntingdon recently to think the ability is still there. Likely conditions ideal and a danger to all if returning to best.

Form: P1347/5-

John Biscuit⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: T J O'Brien| T: Miss J S Davis| OR: 83

13/2

Probably didn't stay the 3m trip at Taunton last time, so that effort easily enough forgiven, but bottom line is that he's an infrequent winner that's to inconsistent to be chosen with much confidence. Makes little appeal, despite trip and ground being ideal.

Form: 571535-

Kristal Star^t²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Harry Bannister| T: A M Hales| OR: 81

10/1

Not disgraced on handicap debut at Stratford in May but didn't build on that at Huntingdon last time and this trip asks a new question as well. Bit to prove at present.

Form: 7493-56

Gwili Spar⁴⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Charlie Hammond⁽⁷⁾| T: L Hurley| OR: 73| C

33/1

Wins in his turn and did get his head in front again here last September, but that was over shorter and he's not reproduced that run since. Always capable of the big-priced upset but on balance, others hold stronger claims.

Form: P81UF-0

Non-Runners

Light Breaks¹

Weight: 10-5| Age: 5

T: N & W Twiston-Davies J: Sam Twiston-Davies

Forecasts

Arboretum (3/1), Bay Fortuna (9/2), Silent Warrior (5/1), John Biscuit (13/2), Emigrated (8/1), Kristal Star (10/1), Faction (12/1), Brass Monkey (12/1), Light Breaks (16/1), Global Fert (20/1), Gwili Spar (33/1)

An open contest is muddied even further by the possibility of a messy race, with not one of these a confirmed front runner. A chance is taken on EMIGRATED, who raced close to the pace when a good second at Downpatrick and a repeat of that would see him go close. The booking of Richard Johnson looks a significant one too, and the hint should be taken. The other Irish raider Global Fert deserves some respect as well and they could fight out the finish. Bay Fortuna may be the best of the home team.