4.45pm Uttoxeter Tips & Betting Preview 24/07/2016

The feature race on Sunday’s Uttoxeter card is a Class 2 handicap chase over 2m4f. Read our horse-by-horse race preview for our experts’ betting tips.

IN SUMMARY: The two most obvious contenders is this valuable event are Sharp Rise, who has done very well since joining Charlie Longsdon in May and will soon have Graded races on his agenda if his progress continues, and Easy Street, who is at the other end of the weights but has began his chasing career with two easy wins this season and could easily have a lot more to offer. However, it could be worth chancing FAYETTE COUNTY, who has a poor completion record over fences but is still unexposed in this sphere and looked to be crying out for today’s return to 2m4f when a strong-finishing second over 2m at Ludlow in March. Germany Calling was placed off today’s mark in a similar event over C&D in May and is also considered.

1 Sharp Rise – Has quickly developed into a smart performer since joining Charlie Longsdon in May and collected a good prize over 2m here last month; appeared to have the race in the bag before last-fence blunder at Stratford (2m1f, good) a fortnight ago and will also be suited by today’s trip; major player.

2 Carrigmorna King – Been a good servant to connections over the years and won a small-field contest at Taunton (2m2f, good) in April but this exposed 10yo is currently on a very stiff mark and was soundly beaten in a similar race to this on latest outing in May.

3 Germany Calling – Never really looked dangerous with fifth in the Summer Plate at Market Rasen last Saturday but returned to form and ran a big race when third in a valuable C&D contest two starts ago and, off the same mark today, has obvious claims if in similar form.

4 Silver Man – Runner-up in a Listed handicap here (3m2f, good) just over a year ago but fell in consecutive chases in December and made low-key return to action in a novice hurdle last month; on a workable mark if back on song but has something to prove and may find 2m4f a bit sharp.

5 No Likey – Looked in excellent nick when scoring by 14l at Stratford (2m3f, good to soft) in May but was hit with a 14lb rise for that and it was no great surprise to see him anchored and comfortably held at Worcester three weeks ago; subsequent 3lb drop not enough to tempt.

6 Purple ‘n Gold – Quirky customer who isn’t always the the hardiest of battlers in the closing stages; did well to win at Haydock (2m3f, good) in May and has reached the frame on all four subsequent outings but holds no secrets from the handicapper and others are more persuasive.

7 Ashcott Boy – Has made excellent progress since the autumn and won five times along the way, most recently at Aintree (2m4f, good) in May; also ran well when second at Worcester (2m4f, good to soft) last month and, although this race looks more competitive, further improvement is not out of the question.

8 Fayette County – Has failed to complete four of his six chases and has a point to prove after a disappointing performance at the Aintree festival in April; however, he shaped very much as though he’ll benefit from today’s return to 2m4f when close second at Ludlow (2m, good) two starts ago and is on a handy mark if all goes to plan.

9 Cut The Corner – Produced new career-best performance to win by 11l at Market Rasen (2m5f, good) earlier in the month but the form is nothing to get too excited about and, having been hiked up the weights, he was unable to land any sort of blow in the Summer Plate over that C&D last week.

10 Minella Definitely – 2-13 over fences after drawing 9l clear to score at Cartmel (2m1f, good) in May; will be fine over this longer trip but is 9lb higher in a stronger race today and his tendency to race lazily also reduces his appeal.

11 Easy Street – Has made excellent start to his chasing career this season and the second of his two easy wins was gained over C&D; unseated rider on latest outing three weeks ago and today’s race represents a significant rise in class, but it’s impossible to gauge the limit of his ability at present.

12 One For The Boss – Spent years knocking about in low-grade contests until displaying sudden jolt of improvement to win twice in good style last month (2m5f/2m3f); evidently in superb form but, having shot up the weights, it remains to be seen whether he’s up to this task.

myracing Forecast Prices: 7/2 Sharp Rise, 9/2 Easy Street, 7/1 One For The Boss, 8/1 Germany Calling, Fayette County, Minella Definitely, 10/1 Ashcott Boy, 12/1 Purple ‘n Gold, 14/1 Cut The Corner, 16/1 Silver Man, No Likey, 20/1 Carrigmorna King