1.40pm Uttoxeter Tips & Betting Preview 31/12/2016

Eleven go to post for this Class 3 handicap at Uttoxeter in the feature race today. Read on for our expert’s thoughts and betting tips.

IN SUMMARY: Aliandy should continue to pay his way and is entitled to go well again after his fine effort in defeat at Doncaster last time out with his jockeys’ claim negating most of the penalties he has picked up for his last two runs. That being said he might struggle against the consistent BENNYS KING who looks a winner waiting to happen in this sphere and he will go close with the trip and ground holding no fears. He was a runner up on his last start over 2m3f and he could be tough to pass at the business end of the race.

1 Sakhee’s City – Won over 2m2f at Catterick (Heavy) in March and has been largely consistent without winning since. Fell at Wetherby two starts ago when wearing first time cheek pieces showed no ill effect from that when second at Haydock (Soft) last time out over 1m7f. Up 4lb now and has a career high mark to defy at this trip (well beaten on only attempt at this far). Others look to have stronger form for win purposes with cheek pieces staying on.

2 Run Runctions Run – Previously trained by Tim Easterby and decent hurdler with four wins up to 2m5f. Got off the mark at the first attempt over fences last year at Wetherby (Soft) over further. Has decent form up to Listed level including when third on second start for new yard two starts ago at Kempton (Soft) behind Surtee Du Berlais switched back to hurdling over 3m last month. Only mid-division at Cheltenham on final start and needs to bounce back in this for all her best form is over further.

3 Cloudy Copper – Scored for the first time over fences in April at Ffos Las (Heavy) when winning by 1½ lengths. Returned after a seven month break and has failed to complete in three chases so far including being pulled up on his last start at Lingfield (Good) twenty days ago. Switch back to hurdling and drop in trip needs to work (never won over this short a trip) and blinkers and tongue strap applied for the first time today.

4 Shotavodka – Won a veterans’ chase at Newbury (Soft) in March in great style, coming from the rear to win impressively by eleven lengths. Has struggled in chases recently from his higher mark and will appreciate the drop in grade and trip now sent back hurdling. Bit to prove against some progressive opponents.

5 Bennys King – Still a maiden after five starts but has been largely consistent so far finishing runner up on his last four starts including at Ffos Las (Heavy) eighteen days ago. Looks versatile in regards to ground and has run well over this trip two starts ago at Bangor. Looks set for a bold bid and big player in this.

6 Robin Of Locksley – Sole career win came at Southwell (Heavy) a year ago and patch form since up to this level. Retains the hood and tongue strap worn at Cheltenham (Soft) last time out when only eighth of 16 in slightly better company. Will find this easier but needs to settle in his races to get competitive today and best watched for now with same headgear applied again.

7 Aliandy – Well beaten by the smart Yanworth at Warwick (Good/Soft) on his penultimate run last term and returned from a 319 day break to win first time out at Southwell (Good) over 2m4flast month beating the useful Agincourt Reef by a neck who has gone on to score back to back wins since. Put up 5lb for that and only narrowly denied next time out at Doncaster (Good) over this trip, pulling well clear of the others with the subsequent winner a nose in front. Up another 4lb after that but has been running well this Autumn and dangerous to rule out with good jockey claiming 7lb. Claims.

8 Dartford Warbler – Won over C&D last year and won from this mark when a ready winner over fences, doing it comfortably from the front to win by five lengths at Market Rasen (Soft) last November over 2m5f. Better hurdler than over fences and well beaten in fourth behind the smart Splash Of Ginge at Haydock two weeks ago. This is easier and trip and ground should pose no problems but could prove vulnerable to younger legs for win purposes.

9 Pure Vision – Belatedly go off the mark at the eighth attempt when scoring at Lingfield (Good) last time out over 2m against weaker opposition. This is a lot tougher and needs to prove he is as efficient over this trip. 8lb higher for that win today and might struggle against more proven performers at this trip.

10 Just Joelliott – Only three starts under Rules and hasn’t really gone on from his good fourth at Lingfield (Good/Firm) last month on his second start and only eighth last time out at Newbury behind the smart Jenkins. Looks up against it on handicap debut.

11 Periquest – Gained his first career success last time out at Huntingdon (Good/Soft) over further. Makes comeback run after a year off and still on the same mark. Has gone well fresh in the past but best watched against race fit rivals on return.