15:35 Uttoxeter

Saturday 16 March 2024

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

bet365 Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 6m 37.83s

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Selected odds by:

The Changing Man⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 126| BF| C

3/1

Progressive over hurdles and took a further step forward when splitting Stay Away Fay and Grey Dawning on chase debut at Exeter in November. Hasn't gone on from that effort, bad mistake 5 out when fourth of 6 on handicap bow back at Exeter last time, but he remains one to note.

Form: 82-2U44

Regal Blue⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 126

16/1

Didn't kick on over hurdles but has found improvement over the larger obstacles, scoring at the fourth time of asking in Haydock handicap last month. However, he jumped ponderously when pulled up at Wincanton 9 days ago, so he needs to get back on the up.

Form: P32P1P

Christopher Wood^p²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 125

9/1

Useful winning hurdler but not quite as good in this sphere. However, he ran well when third in Edinburgh National at Musselburgh, before making mistakes when only ninth in Newcastle's Eider since. More needed as he drops back down in trip with cheekpieces reapplied.

Form: 224-339

Evies Vladimir^p²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 125

7/2

Has shown improved form this season, doubling his tally with a ready success in handicap at Fairyhouse in February. Continued in good heart when third in listed handicap at Naas 20 days ago and this Irish raider looks a major player for his respected yard.

Form: 6-12213

Hauraki Gulf¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Chris Ward⁽³⁾| T: Deborah Cole| OR: 123

4/1

Bumper winner on debut who ran to a fair level without getting his head in front over hurdles. However, he bettered that form when making a winning start over fences at Sedgefield and has scored again at Leicester since. This is tougher but he can give another good account.

Form: 2-20131

Val Dancer^p³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 121| D

4/1

In first-time cheekpieces, much improved from his chase debut when justifying support in handicap at Leicester in December and has scored at Wetherby and Catterick since. Wasn't always fluent last time, but he battled well and isn't dismissed lightly in his bid for the 4-timer.

Form: 46-3111

Fortunefavorsdbold^p¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams| OR: 114| D

17/2

Fair winning hurdler in Ireland and left previous form for this yard well behind when landing a handicap chase in first-time cheekpieces at Huntingdon last month. Had plenty to spare when following up at Lingfield 11 days ago, so she could do better still over fences.

Form: 959011

Non-Runners

Marsh Wren¹

Weight: 12-0| Age: 8

T: S Edmunds J: Non Runner

Forecasts

The Changing Man (3/1), Evies Vladimir (7/2), Val Dancer (4/1), Hauraki Gulf (4/1), Marsh Wren (9/2), Fortunefavorsdbold (17/2), Christopher Wood (9/1), Regal Blue (16/1)

EVIES VLADIMIR has been going the right way during the current campaign, running well behind an improver when third in listed handicap at Naas on his latest outing, so he could be able to provide Gavin Cromwell with another success in Britain this season. It still remains early days for The Changing Man in handicaps and he is next on the list, ahead of Fortunefavorsdbold.