Picking up an interest in racing from my Dad, I first went racing at Bath in September 2015 and my passion has continued to grow since. Becoming hooked on the sport thanks to the enigmatic Ar Mad, I can be found weekly against the stand's rail at a racecourse near you.
The opener at Uttoxeter features an intriguing Maiden Hurdle, in which our race preview picks out a horse who will appreciate todays step up in trip and will most certainly out-run its odds. Read on for our betting tips.
Excellent Team ran with credit on his hurdle bow at Southwell back in May, but it is certainly worrying that he didn’t look in much hurry to get his head in front, subsequently finishing 2nd. Therefore it is well worth taking him on at most likely short odds with THE WAY YOU DANCE. Both his hurdles runs have shown ability and clearly wants this far and will definitely give it a good go. Irish Raider Isle View hasn’t run for 2 years, so market support would be interesting.
1 HORSEGAURDSPARADE – Fair horse on the flat for Nigel Twiston-Davies and is getting better the further he goes, latest when 4th on the flat at Chepstow (16f, Soft). It wont take much to win this and is in very good hands, both with trainer and jockey Ryan Hatch, considered.
2 ISLE VIEW – Irish Raider who has shown fair form over hurdles for Jason Cairns. His best form would put him in contention but hasn’t run for 2 years. Doesn’t have the potential of the rest of these so is very hard to fancy.
3 MORIANOUR – Runner up in Stratford bumper for Tim Fitzgerald (16.5f, Good to Firm), has changed hands now to Evan Williams. Step up in trip should suit and it will be no surprise to see him playing a part in this, will be on the premises.
4 OH SO GIGOLO – Couldn’t be in much better hands at Seven Barrows, but seems to be regressing with every run, latest when running a stinker at this track (20f, Good). Running out of excuses now and will need a huge step up to contend for this.
5 RENEWING – 3rd at this track latest when well out-running his 100/1 odds to finish 3rd on his hurdles bow (20f, Good). That was a decent debut but what that form amounts to is the question, and will need a huge step up to feature in this.
6 EXCELLENT TEAM – Finished 2nd on his hurdle bow at Southwell (15.5f, Good) but that performance threw up some question marks. He had every chance approaching the last but raced very awkwardly and didn’t seem as though he was too bothered about getting his head in-front when it mattered. That form does read well and an improved one will put him rightly as a short priced favourite, but I would worry that he may be unable to put his head in-front again.
7 THE WAY YOU DANCE – Twice a winner on the AW and taken well to hurdling, improving on his debut to finish a decent 4th at Worcester latest (16f, Good). There is definitely more to come from him and will appreciate this step up in trip. With a bit more experience and the new trip he should be able to get his head in front.