The first classics of the season come up on Saturday at Newmarket they both promise to be great races. But for me and many racing tweeters, Uttoxeter is the place to be on Saturday with another Uttoxeter Twitterati day including a sponsered novice handicap chase. Uttoxeter is the focus of the preview but firstly a little summary of both the 1000 and 2000 Guineas.
2000 Guineas Preview:
Many people are treating Saturday's first Classic as a face off between Dawn Approach and Toronado, two unbeaten colts with 10 wins between them, 6-4 in Dawn Approach's favour. To be fair, I agree with the majority and more than likely the winner will come from one of these two. Dawn Approach for me would be the one I favour. He oozes class and switches off very early in his races and doesn't win by a big margin, therefore not showing a cap on his ability quite yet. He handles the dip adequately without making much ground but I think he may be a little too classy. Toronado is a very worthy opponent and won the Craven nicely, but historically not many win both the Craven and the Guineas, plus Richard Hughes said after the Champagne Stakes he was a 'Derby Horse'.
Of the others, Mars is a talking horse and could be anything. You would be surprised if Garswood was good enough to win it but could run a place. Cristiforo Colombo has cheek-pieces on and has a fair bit to find with Dawn Approach from the Coventry and hasn't run beyond six furlongs. I like George Vancouver each way. He's a Group 1 winner in the Breeders Cup Juvenile at the back end of last year over a mile so has no stamina worries. Aiden O'Brien is a master of getting them ready for the big day and I think he could be a bit of value.
1000 Guineas Preview:
Hot Snap was a taking winner of the Nell Gwyn despite racing with greeness again, showed a nice turn of foot to catch Sky Lantern and draw away. She has been given a 35lb rise in the handicap for that success. Sky Lantern had to give her 3lbs in the Nell Gwyn and was drawn in the middle of the track which was a negative in the end. I think Hot Snap is plenty short enough in comparison to Sky Lantern and the latter could easily turn the form around. Just The Judge, What A Name and Maureen all demand plenty of respect in a good renewal. I was impressed with Moth last time, and it is telling that Aiden O'Brien supplemented her for this on the back of that win at The Curragh. In a tough race, I'll take Moth and Sky Lantern against the field.
UTTOXETER PREVIEW:
1.55 - 'National Hunt' Maiden Hurdle (2m - 16 run)
A fiercely competitive opener setting the tone for the rest of the card for sure. What I would say however is there is plenty of dead wood in it and a shortlist of about five can be made quite quickly. The safest one for placepot purposes would be Oyster Shell on the back of a very narrow defeat last time for the flying Henry Daly yard. I think Picture Post has quirks and I'll be avoiding him. The one I do quite like is Sleeping City for Victor Dartnall, a yard who always do well here. He does have a few jumping problems, including when falling at the last when leading Swing Bowler last March. Last time out was a return to his best before he stumbled badly on the turn for home and was pulled up. If he brings his A game, he's the one to beat. Watch the market for Tomibola, who shaped with promise at Huntingdon in a bumper last time when not unfancied, and could run a place at big odds.
2.25 - Handicap Chase (2m5f - 13 run)
Very tricky indeed. Smooth Classic has been bumped up 4lbs for finishing second at Plumpton eight days ago, where he clouted at least two fences on the way round. He is potentially well handicapped and stronger handling today is probably a good thing. Dot Or Feather could be overpriced if enjoying the blinkers on his first start for Graeme McPherson. On Gossamer Wings is very exposed and tends to find a couple too good. I would chance Jack Albert here at a price for James Reveley. He wasn't sighted on chase debut at Ayr, but is very unexposed and if he enjoyed the jumping, he could easily figure in a moderate race. As could Flichity if he backs his remarkable run at Southwell up with another big run. Mister Wiseman a big threat to all.
3.00 - Beginners Chase (2m - 9 run)
Once again, a tough puzzle to solve with many chances. Captain Brown, Pipe Banner, Where's The Hare and King Spirit were the four I ruled out first. I'm not overly convinced on Ubaltique jumping a fence but I can't quite nail down what worries me, but more than likely it is speed and resolution. Sporting Boy is the obvious starting point after starting his winning run at this time last year. He's only 5 but must be feared, as must Le Bacardy, who may find this fast surface a little bit too quick. I'm down to Dance Tempo and Harry Hunt, and I marginally favour the latter who has chase experience. He ran behind Sprinter Sacre and Overturn in the Wayward Lad on chase debut before a good second to Aland Islands at Newcastle, where he jumped really well. He's best off a break and is pretty hard to knock in an intriguing race.
3.40 - Handicap Hurdle (2m4f - 12 run)
A little bit easier to solve this time. Billy Twyford is on a big upward curve with back to back wins in handicap company since joining Lawney Hill at Wetherby and last time at Fontwell where he coped really well with a rise in trip and decent ground. This is more difficult off top weight but he has a huge chance for a hat trick. Dangers? Jetnova would be worth a mention purely because he is in the care of Alan King. He hasn't won for two years but is fairly treated and could go well as could Moonlight Drive on a going day, but they are very tough to predict!
4.15 - Uttoxetertwitterati Novices' Handicap Chase (3m - 10 run)
Forget the Guineas, this is the biggest race of the day!! It is another puzzle that takes a good bit of solving. Patsy Finnigan has had easier chances than this but remains in fair form. Blackwell Synergy and Oddjob are the two last time out winners in the contest but may not provide a great deal of value. The one I am particularly sweet on is Humphrey Bee for Charlie Longsdon. He is unexposed over fences and this quick ground is likely to bring about a bit more improvement. He has been dropped 3lbs for a good third to the ill fated Blazing Bull last time, given lots of weight to both the first and second. Richard Johnson rides too. Quel Ballistic could go well too.
4.50 - Handicap Hurdle (3m - 13 run)
Very tough race this one. Rich Buddy narrowly fought off Ukranian Star here last time out, but the latter recieves a 4lb weight swing for a half length beating which could sway it his way. Spoil Me got his head in front in a jumpers bumper last time and could be a threat back hurdling off a workable mark. However, I'm going to chance one at a big price in Miss Overdrive. She needs fast ground and so far this season has had to encounter terrible, tacky ground which she detests. She is now on a career low mark in an open race on ground she loves, therefore making her a bet at 20/1.
5.25 - Handicap Hurdle (3m - 15 run)
Midnight Whisper sets the standard here for Richard Woollacott, a yard who are poised to hit form one feels. He won at Taunton recently and must go well again. As dangers go, Genny Wren is bound to run a big race for Renee Robeson, another yard to watch at this track. Supermightyfine and Harris Garden are both horses I think are capable of wins and any strong market move for either would be significant.
I hope you have enjoyed the preview, and fingers crossed there is a few winners mixed in there.
Any feedback? Tweet me @willbowler2k12 or fill in the box below.
Enjoy the racing,
Will
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