Fry and Whittington can be among the winners with Mille Sussuri worthy of weekend nap
A dry forecast for Uttoxeter’s biggest day of the year and conditions are likely to be extremely testing and tacky at the Staffordshire track.
In the valuable 3m handicap chase Harry Whittington saddles two; recent course winner Docpickedme and Young Bull (2.25) and the latter gets the each way vote at 11/1 with Bet365.
We put this horse up as one to follow after catching the eye on his first start in over 450 days at Newbury last month and immediately nominated this prize as a likely target. So far so good. Trainers named Harry have won three of the last five winners – all Fry – and Whittington looks to have two strong chances but, if Young Bull doesn’t “bounce”, he will run a big race. He is the outsider of the whole field at the time of writing.
Recommendation: Young Bull 2.25 Uttoxeter EW at 11/1 with Bet365
Talking of Harry Fry and he has his string in excellent form – still kicking myself for not recommending his Love Envoi on Thursday although we did give her a very god mention – and his stable has a number of good chances on today’s card.
I believe Mille Sussuri (4.45) will appreciate the drop back in trip to two-and-a-half miles and will be fresher than most having been off the track since running too free and failing to get home at Taunton over three miles at Christmas.
The horse – 4s with William Hill – had previously tanked through the race over an extended 2m 6f here but again failed to get home and I will be disappointed if he doesn’t run a big race with the yard in such good form.
Coupdebol looks the obvious danger for Tom George after his recent Warwick win and he will be ridden by Jonny Burke who did, of course, ride Fry’s Cheltenham winner midweek. An 8lbs rise for that success looks fair but I just favour the imposing Mille Sussurri.
Recommendation: Mille Sussuri 4.45 Uttoxeter EW at 4/1 with William Hill
At Kempton I expect to see Debece run a big race from the front in the two-and-a-half mile chase although I think he will set the race up for one of the two Emma Lavelle trained horses and preference for Manofthemountain (3.15) over stablemate Killer Clown is marginal.
The EW recommendation finished runner up in the corresponding race 12 months ago from an 8lbs lower mark, but will have the race run to suit, goes well fresh and will enjoy the underfoot conditions. Lavelle’s stable star Paisley Park ran a cracker on Thursday and he would have gone very close to regaining his crown had the other jockeys not given Danny Mullins such a freebie on the lead on Flooring Porter.
Recommendation: Manofthemountain 3.15 Kempton at 10/1 with BetVictor
In the opener it would not surprise me to see Brewers Project improve for the combination of good ground and a step up in trip to three miles for the first time. The gelding is a dual hurdle winner including on good ground last spring and also a winner between the flags in his native Ireland. I thought he jumped well at Fontwell last time in his first time cheekpieces and he has dropped to a mark 9lbs lower over fences than his hurdle mark.
Marginal preference, however is for Cap St Vincent (1.30) who represents the stable of Fergal O’Brien who had a couple of seconds at the Festival on Thursday. The EW selection ran well here over hurdles on his first start for his new stable over 2m 5f last month but he is a better chaser than hurdler and the return to three miles is considered a plus.
Recommendation: Cap St Vincent 1.30 Kempton at 6/1 EW with Paddy Power
