4.10pm Uttoxeter Tips & Betting Preview 19/07/2017

A field of seven will make their way to post for the fifth race of the day at Uttoxeter, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: After winning a point to point at a canter in May, CUT THE CORNER returned to rules racing with a great third at Worcester earlier this month. He should appreciate the drop back in trip on that evidence and he remains on the same mark, so he looks very tough to beat with Alex Edwards again taking off a very useful seven pounds. Trafalgar Rock isn’t bred for chasing but his second over course and distance on his debut over the larger obstacles was encourgaing, so he is chief danger.

1 TRAFALGAR ROCK – Not bred for going over fences but this 122 hurdler was far from disgraced on chasing debut over course and distance when last seen. He finished second, keeping on strongly after a mistake three out rattled him, which gives lots of hope for the future. He is up two pounds as a result but he should have more to give in this code and he’s one to consider with Sam Twiston-Davies taking the ride for the in form Dr Richard Newland yard.

2 MCCABE CREEK – Jumping tends to be the point that lets him down, but he is largely consistent in this code and was far from disgraced to finish second at Stratford on his latest start behind a runaway winner. He is a pound lower here and Harry Skelton retains the ride, so he couldn’t be discounted entirely for Caroline Bailey. That said, he is likely to find at least one of these too good and others make more appeal for win purposes as victories are hard to come by for him (one win from twenty-two).

3 STRONGLY SUGGESTED – Won three starts ago at Wetherby off a six pound lower mark, but he’s not an easy horse to predict and he looked very laboured on his latest start when sixth at Ffos Las. He remains on the same mark and others look better treated, not least due to the fact this ten year old has become a tough customer and tends to flatter to deceive. Others look far more solid options on this occasion.

4 CUT THE CORNER – Easily won a point to point in May and he made a promising return to rules racing when third at Worcester earlier this month, only headed in the final 110 yards. Very possible that he will suit this drop back in trip and he is no stranger to winning under rules, taking two victories from eleven starts over fences. Alex Edwards takes off a useful seven pounds and he looks sure to make them pay in this.

5 THE GREY TAYLOR – Inconsistent eight year old whose last won in October 2015 and he has posted five poor runs this season for Brian Ellison. He was last seen at Hexham in June, pulled up after weakening tamely when headed. This is easier but he is clearly well out of sorts and we are yet to be convinced of his stamina at this distance. Tom Scudamore takes the ride and conditions will suit, but he is likely to be well beaten.

6 DANVINNIE – Slowly finding his feet over fences for Oliver Sherwood and he took his maiden victory when making all at Ffos Las in June, despite making mistakes at multiple stages. He has been raised four pounds as a result, but he remains unexposed and should be granted a soft lead which would make him hugely dangerous under Leighton Aspell, who is a brilliant judge of pace. Looks the one to beat in this and has to be respected.

7 HEPIJEU – Consistent sort for Charlie Longsdon who won on his penultimate start at Huntingdon, with a six pound rise unable to stop him from nearly following up at Stratford a month later. He remains on the same mark here and has conditions to suit, with the drop back in trip likely to be in his favour. Brian Hughes taking the ride is an obvious plus and he looks certain to make his presence felt.