N.H. racing at Uttoxeter and Wetherby

Some decent jumps racing this afternoon at Uttoxeter and Wetherby, with the latter track staging two listed races. Three of the 7 runners in the 3yo novice hurdle at 15.10 CET are still unbeaten, the best of them probably being Howard Johnson´s Silk Drum (Denis O´Regan), who won by no less than 19 lengths on his hurdling debut. Today´s opposition is obviously stronger, and Ruff Diamond (Alan King/ Wayne Hutchinson), who won his first two before finishing 5th in a hot event at Cheltenham, looks a big danger. The listed handicap chase over 2 1/2 miles at 15.45 has 8 runners, but almost any of them could win, especially as the pace could be very fast with several front-runners in the field. Yes Sir (Peter Bowen/ Seamus Durack) should go well, while Frankie Figg (Howatrd Johnson/ Denis O´Regan) can make up for his Cheltenham mishap- when he fell when going well- but possibly the super-consistent Storm of Applause (Philip Hobbs/ Tom O´Brien), in the money on his last 11 starts, ca n come out on top.

Betting forecast:
1.Race: Ten Carat - Moon Melody - Kinfayre Boy
2.Race: Tempsford - Prince De Bersy - Ngong Hills
3.Race: Silk Drum - Ruff Diamond - Resounding Glory
4.Race: Yes Sir - Frankie Figg - Strawberry
5.Race: Sergheyev - Almond Court - Bobtante
6.Race: King`s Majesty - First Point - Royal Rationale



It is possibly significant that traine Hobbs sends his stable jockey to Uttoxeter to partner hurdling debutant Castellina in the maiden hurdle at 13.50. She won 5 races on the flat in France and is an interesting recruit. Hobbs and Johnson also team up with the smart Pancake, who has already shown ability over fences, in the beginners´ chase over 3 miles at 15.00. However he is up against a potential star in John Oaksey´s Carruthers, trained by the owners´s son-in-lkaw Mark Bradstock and ridden by Mattie Batchelor, who is makin g his chasing debut today but should be ideally suite by these conditions.

Betting forecast:
1.Race: Castellina - Fassaroe - Hunters Ploy
2.Race: Bluegun - Great Endeavour - Ballingaddy
3.Race: Carruthers - Pancake - What A Friend
4.Race: Just Like That - Mulaazem - Pipers Legend
5.Race: Luccombe Bay - Figurita - Yoursomethinelse
6.Race: Go For One - Pop Ahead - Pacco
7.Race: Our Bomber Harris - Noble Aran - Mister Stickler