Good ground forecast at Uttoxeter ahead of today’s eight-race card and Jessica Rabbit (1.15) is taken to go one better than when runner up over today’s C&D in the 3m handicap hurdle for conditional jockeys. The mare was given plenty to do and made an error three out when beginning her challenge last time and she may have been an unlucky loser. The winner has subsequently run a good race from a 4lbs higher mark at Market Rasen and a 2lbs hike for the selection – 3s with Boylesports – should not prevent her going close.
Paul Webber fits Go As You Please (1.50) with first-time cheekpieces this afternoon and he is another who is taken to go one better than last time. The seven-year-old – 3s with Unibet – finished runner up over an additional quarter of a mile here last time when he was a bit too keen for his own good. Jonjo O’Neill takes the ride on the JP McManus owned seven-year-old and me thinks we will see the young jockey in these colours for many more years to come.
Rose To Fame has had her wind tweaked since finishing tamely on her first start for 470 days last month. She is entitled to come on for the run but was nibbled at in the betting which suggested she was ready to do herself justice. In the circumstances it was a disappointing effort.
Perfect Myth (3.50) improved for the application of a first-time hood and a wind operation to finish runner up on her reappearance and connections look to have found an excellent opportunity for this long-standing maiden although she has been raised 2lbs for her run here last month. The mare is 3/1 with bet365.
They also go at Hexham for the first-time post lockdown and I feel there are races to be won with Slainte Mhor this term having finished second on his final start over timber at Newcastle back in March. He certainly has the scope for the larger obstacles and a market move would be worth noting.
The vote, however, goes to Somethinboutangela (4.50) who was all out to score at Perth last time over three miles, but had travelled powerfully and today’s drop back in trip by four furlongs is not considered a negative. Brian Hughes takes over in the saddle with Sam Twiston-Davies currently on the side-lines and Dr Richard Newland’s charge can defy a 7lbs hike in the weights. Martin Todhunter’s Derry Dubois is better than he showed at Bangor on his chase debut and is another to consider in a competitive heat.
The Ian Williams yard have hit their straps in the last week or so and Almost Gold (6.00) was too keen on his reappearance – well backed – at Uttoxeter on his reappearance and faded close home. With that run under his belt, and the yard in much better form, he is expected to leave that form well behind, and his handler has decided to fit his seven-year-old with first-time cheek-pieces this afternoon. The 10/3 with William Hill ew four places looks fair.
At Wolverhampton Lead Singer (5.35) drops back from a mile to an extended 7f for his handicap debut and I felt he shaped with considerable promise when third at Kempton last time. He is well drawn in stall three this evening, and James Doyle keeps the ride on John Gosden’s Kingman colt who is 13/8 from 9/4 with bet365.