3.30pm Uttoxeter tips for Sunday’s Class 3 race. The jump season proper is gathering pace, with this contest a fascinating one. Plenty of 125-135 rated hurdlers taking on fences, with a number of these looking to make their mark over the bigger obstacles before going onto better things. Read on for our free betting tips, predictions and analysis.
IN SUMMARY: Aqua Dude is a maiden over fences but went close in a competitive handicap two starts ago and should go close here. The most interesting contender though is DEAUVILLE CRYSTAL, who receives eighteen pounds from all her rivals on chasing debut and was highly progressive last season for Nigel Hawke. She is the type to do much better over fences and can get off the mark on her first attempt over the larger obstacles.
1 ABOVE BOARD – Very lightly raced, he looked a smart prospect over hurdles before something went amiss at Wincanton in January. Entitled to come on for this first run since, but certainly one who will be of interest in this discipline this season.
2 ALLEE BLEUE – Jekyll and Hyde character, he is a very hard horse to predict. Big, powerful sort, he is built to jump a fence, with this soft ground in his favour. Smart over hurdles and with a prep run on the flat behind him, he should go close if on a going day.
3 AQUA DUDE – Wide margin winner on his only start in a point to point, he got plenty of chasing experience last season. Despite not winning, he kept warm company. Conditions will suit so he may put his previous knowledge to good use.
4 GRAY DAY – Progressive early last season but struggled badly under a winners penalty. Connections waste no time sending him chasing but easier opportunities over further will be upcoming and suit him better than this.
5 KING GOLAN – Lowest rated in the line-up, he has shown no form of note. He sports first time blinkers but they would have to have a miraculous effect to get him involved.
6 QUALANDO – Rock solid handicap hurdler has done well since he joined this yard. He didn’t look in love with chasing when he was tried in the past which has to be a concern, but would have an each way shout if sweetened up.
7 SOLSTICE STAR – Rapid progression over hurdles two seasons ago, he is another who was sent back over the smaller obstacles following some moderate chasing displays. At least has the experience of fences, but enough to prove back in this discipline.
8 SPERONIMO – Didn’t show much in three novice hurdles, it’s interesting that connections send him straight over fences with so little experience. Booked for a struggle on ratings, looks more one for minor handicaps down the line.
9 TEMPLEROSS – Kept warm company over hurdles, progressing well last season. The sole course winner in the line-up, the underfoot conditions will suit him well. The charity bet for Nigel Twiston-Davies this weekend, he looks set to be bang there.
10 DEAUVILLE CRYSTAL – Progressed well over hurdles last campaign, especially on soft ground. As a four year old filly, she gets eighteen pounds from all her rivals, which is a massive advantage to have. She has the scope to make a much better chaser and should be tough to beat.