14:45 Uttoxeter

Friday 28 July 2023

All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:0417:05

Brit Direct Handicap Hurdle (Div 2)

Off time: 14:46 | Winning time: 3m 52.7s

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Selected odds by:

Thorpeness^t²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Tristan Durrell⁽⁵⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 98

16/1

Well beaten in 2 bumpers but has shown a good deal more over hurdles with a tongue strap added this spring. His opening mark isn't obviously generous but he's still respected as an unexposed sort from a top stable.

Form: 09-325

Greatness Awaits⁹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: Luca Morgan| T: B Pauling| OR: 100

8/1

Fair on Flat (stays 1½m). Yet to better modest form over hurdles but handicaps do provide him with a more realistic chance.

Form: 6245-

Ambassador^v²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: B S Hughes| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 95| CD

6/1

Belatedly capitalised on a falling mark in 12-runner C&D handicap (good) 26 days ago (final start for Martin Keighley). Raised 6 lb but still has handicapping scope on best form now setting out for new trainer Micky Hammond.

Form: P074-51

Bentham^p,t²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Joe Williamson⁽⁵⁾| T: Sara Ender| OR: 92| D

7/1

Thirty runs since last win in 2020. Took a step back in the right direction for his new stable when 12¾ lengths third of 12 to Ambassador in C&D handicap (good, 22/1) 26 days ago. Needs to build on that now.

Form: 787-783

Rock On Tommy^b,t⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Lewis Stones⁽³⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 89| CD

6/4

Bidding for a third C&D win of the month under Lewis Stones. Saw off Ten Past Midnight by 3½ lengths last week and should be able to do so again as he escapes a penalty for that. Hard to beat.

Form: 33-P911

Kracquer²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Jay Tidball⁽⁵⁾| T: Sarah Hollinshead| OR: 87

80/1

First run since leaving Alastair Ralph when unseated first in C&D handicap by Ambassador earlier this month. The fact he went off 50/1 suggests there wasn't much confidence behind him.

Form: 3/306P-U

Ten Past Midnight^p⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: S Bowen| T: M Keighley| OR: 85| BF| CD

3/1

Won 3 on the bounce in 2021 and also hit the target at Southwell last summer. Back-to-form when 3½ lengths second of 8 to Rock On Tommy over C&D last week. Should go well but no obvious reason why he'll turn the tables on that reopposing rival.

Form: 23P7-52

Ascot Day^p¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 81

66/1

Runner-up twice in handicap hurdles in spring 2022 but lightly raced and little impact on the Flat since. His latest run after a year off may have been needed but he returns to hurdles with something to prove.

Form: 287522/

Naasik^v²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-3| J: Conor Rabbitt⁽⁵⁾| T: J R Norton| OR: 73

40/1

Remains a maiden after 35 runs. Finally showed some ability remains when third at Southwell (2m, good to soft) 25 days ago but whether he backs it up remains to be seen.

Form: 00/8P83

Andonno^t⁶⁸¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Toby Wynne⁽⁵⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 69

200/1

Modest Flat performer. Offered little over hurdles in 2021, including a handicap, and could only consider if the market vibes are notably strong on his return from an absence.

Form: 456P/

Non-Runners

Lightening Gesture¹⁵¹

Weight: 10-10| Age: 4

T: Dr R D P Newland J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Rock On Tommy (6/4), Ten Past Midnight (3/1), Ambassador (6/1), Bentham (7/1), Greatness Awaits (8/1), Thorpeness (16/1), Lightening Gesture (20/1), Naasik (40/1), Ascot Day (66/1), Kracquer (80/1), Andonno (200/1)

ROCK ON TOMMY escapes a penalty for last week's success in a conditional jockeys' event and can complete a quickfire C&D hat-trick. Ten Past Midnight chased home the selection last week and can fill the forecast spot again ahead of Ambassador, who has changed yards since his C&D win earlier in the month.