Friday 22nd December 2023
Author: Jordan Yates (EvRacing_)
Welcome aboard to this Friday Midweek Preview where I’ll be focusing my attention on a competitive Uttoxeter card where I’ve got six selections to share with you all. As ever, make sure to gamble responsibly if you are having a bet.
12.00: Marie Hinton 70th Birthday Celebration Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle: The opening race of the day comes up at 12:00 and it’s a mares novice hurdle over two miles and six furlongs. This can go to Endless Supply for Fergal O’Brien and Paddy Brennan, she’s placed twice in her opening two starts over hurdles, finishing behind Alfie’s Princess on both occasions. I think she’ll handle the step up in trip and this looks like a good opportunity for her. Endless Supply – 6/4 (Win)
12.30: Richard Winterton Auctioneers Maiden Hurdle: Next up at 12:30 we have a maiden hurdle over two miles and four furlongs and this looks to be all about Itsnoteasy for Olly Murphy and Sean Bowen. He’s progressed with both starts over hurdles since being recruited from the pointing sphere, his most recent outing came here in November when he finished a neck second. If he turns up in the same form, he’ll be tough to beat. Itsnoteasy – 5/6 (Win)
1.05: In Memory Of June Taylor Handicap Hurdle: It’s handicap action at 1.05 with a handicap hurdle which is contested over two miles and four furlongs. I’ve sided with Begoodtoyourself here for Christopher Kellett and Toby Wynne, who takes off three pounds. He arrives here having won last time out at Carlisle earlier this month, and his three-pound rise in the weights is taken away thanks to his rider’s claim. I think he’s got every chance of going well again. Begoodtoyourself – 13/2 (Each-Way)
1.40: Ralph Mitchell 60th Birthday Celebration Handicap Chase: We move over to the larger obstacles at 1.40 with a handicap chase that’s also ridden over two miles and four furlongs. I’m actually taking a chance on one of the outsiders of the field here in Morning Spirit who’s currently a 12/1 chance for Jonjo O’Neil and Kevin Brogan. He’s not been at his best as of late, but as a result, he’s dropped down to a mark that she should be at least competitive off within this kind of company. Most of his rivals may struggle with the heavy going here, whereas he has winning form on it. Morning Spirit – 14/1 (Each-Way)
2.15: Ashley Waller Auctioneers Handicap Hurdle: My fifth selection of the afternoon comes in the 2.15 which is handicap hurdle action over two miles and six furlongs. I think that this particular affair can go the way of Classic Maestro for the combination of Jennie Candlish and Sean Quinlan. He arrives here on the back of a quick turnaround having finished a neck second at Newcastle last week, that run also came on heavy ground and this unexposed type could well build on that here and go one better. Classic Maestro – 5/2 (Win)
2.50: Andy Edwards Memorial Novices’ Handicap Chase: The sixth and final selection of the afternoon for me comes in the 2.50 which is a handicap chase that’s ridden over three miles. I’m going with Breeze Of Wind here for the team of Stuart & Sam Coltherd. He’s been progressing with each run over fences and claimed his first victory last week at Hexham when bolting up by eleven fences on heavy ground. He’s got a penalty to deal with here as a result of that success, but I think he could still be a bit better than his current rating, and he’s got every chance of posting another bold effort. Breeze Of Wind – 3/1 (Win)
