2.15pm Uttoxeter Tips & Betting Preview 31/12/2016

Twelve horses will go to post for the second of today’s feature races at Uttoxeter today in this 0-135 handicap chase with £8,758 on offer to the winner. Read on for our expert’s thoughts and betting tips.

IN SUMMARY: BURTONS WELL ran a fine race behind the smart Waiting Patiently who has gone in again since for Malcolm Jefferson over fences and has more to come now tackling this longer trip. He travels well and remains lightly raced for a 7-y-o, he can get off the mark today over fences and should be tough to beat. Rock Gone would be of interest if the market speaks in his favour returning from a lay-off of nearly year for his top yard that do well with these types and he should go well if ready to go. Tanarpino could still be ahead of his current mark judged on his last run and could be the main danger to the likely favourite.

1 Solstice Star – Rattled off a five timer over hurdles last Winter on Soft/Heavy ground up to 2m3f. Hasn’t fared well in two starts over fences this term and dropped in grade again today after finishing tailed off at Ascot (Good/Soft) over 2m5f behind the smart Top Notch. Drop in trip will suit and this is easier but a bit to prove at present given the way he faded last time facing a few smart rivals today and this front-runner looks up against it for win purposes.

2 In The Rough – Won four times over hurdles two years ago up to 2m7f. Got off the mark at the first attempt over fences at this track in September on better ground over 3m when a comfortable three length winner but has struggled in better races in this grade the last twice and beginning to look exposed now. Easy to rule out at present.

3 Rock Gone – Still looks to be on fair mark after missing the whole of last year and was unlucky to fall two out at Newbury (Heavy) when last seen ten months ago but had run well to finish good second at Plumpton (Heavy) over 2m4f prior to that, staying on well close home and just missing out. Just one win so far since joining this yard when a comfortable winner by 14 lengths at Class 5 level in a 2m4f contest at Uttoxeter (Heavy). Interesting if the market speaks in his favour after nearly a year off given he looks the type to make a better chaser and one to note in the betting.

4 Goodbye Dancer – Decent hurdler in the early parts of his career landing a four timer up to 2m1f on a variety of ground but recent form has been mixed at best and has struggled from a high mark recently. Still 13lb above his last winning mark and only tenth of 13 last time out at Cheltenham in Listed company. Plenty to prove on chase debut.

5 Herbert Park – Just got up to win by a neck on return after nine months off this term ay Worcester (Good) over 2m7f and followed that up with a decent second at Ffos Las (Good) next time put up 6lb. Struggled after a further hike in the weights when only seventh of 12 at that same trip at Cheltenham last time out. Dropped 1lb for chasing debut today and needs to show he can do it over these bigger fences. Looks to be on high enough mark at present and likely to struggle against some potentially useful rivals.

6 Alcala – Bumper/Hurdler winner who won at Fontwell (Heavy) in February and needs to prove it now switched to fences. Has won over this far before and struggled at 3m2f on last start over hurdles so the drop back down to a winning trip will help. Has beaten off a similar mark in his last five handicap starts however and top trainers’ recent record at this track slightly off putting for win purposes today. Best watched for now.

7 Burtons Well – Decent hurdler and only four starts in his career so far. Returned from a lengthy absence of twenty months when chasing home the smart looking Waiting Patiently from the Malcolm Jefferson yard at Sedgefield (Soft) last month over 2m and shaped as if this longer trip will suit. That one has since won again and he wouldn’t need to improve too much on that to play a big part in this. Big player especially if ridden with some restraint given he faces a couple of potential front runners.

8 Mercian Prince – Decent chaser when previously trained in France with one win at Auteuil and improved from his good second over fences on debut for Amy Murphy on this track over 2m4f last month (Soft) to score at Southwell (Good/Soft) next time out over slightly further. Steps up in class today and 11lb higher mark to contend with. Facing a few potentially useful rivals and one to note in the betting for confidence but will win plenty of races in time.

9 Chic Name – Hurdle winner who has been contesting some much better races recently including when nine lengths third behind the smart Buveur D’Air at Haydock (Soft) over the minimum trip at Haydock two weeks ago. This drop in grade represents his best chance for a while but tends to find a few too good and similar outcome likely in this with plenty to prove over this trip. Likes to front run.

10 Nansaroy – Lightly raced bumper/hurdles winner and still lightly raced with only six starts so far. Wasn’t given a hard time when fourth behind the smart Waiting Patiently (Burtons Well second) at Sedgefield (Soft) last month. Didn’t fare too well after winning this time last year and assessor seems to have a hold at present. Likely to be a big price and can be overlooked today.

11 Tanarpino – Three time winner over hurdles earlier this year up to 2m5f on deeper ground. Made a good start over fences twenty days ago when third of 9 at Carlisle (Soft) over this trip after an absence of eight months. Looks ahead of his current mark given how far the front three pulled away that day and has plenty more to come now with that run behind him with conditions fine in this and she should be staying on at the business end of the race. Player.

12 Pistol Park – Previously trained in Ireland by Alan Fleming before moving to Brian Ellison and is now two from three over fences since joining this yard. Ran a career best when staying on well to score at Newcastle (Good/Soft) over 2m last month by 1½ lengths. Up 3lb for that win and has a bit to prove at present given he was well beaten on his only try at this trip at Carlisle two starts ago.