by Matt Brocklebank gives racetrack tips at the Nap Run in Uttoxeter on Friday.
FALL RETURN She may not be able to live with a few of them at the end of the season, but she is already on the board after a thrilling debut win in Perth late last month. The mare jumped perfectly and was able to apply a lot of pressure there, winning by a narrow margin, raising her score by just 3 pounds to 119. Based on her hurdles form she still seems to be treated fairly well (she was sent off due to quotas). Favorite in a handicap when rated 120 in January) and can put her fitness and proven wellbeing to good use at Uttoxeter.
HONNEUR D’AJONC – 3.45 Fakenham
HONNEUR D’AJONC is another recent winner who still has a realistic handicap and is worth sticking with for the two and a half mile handicap hurdle at Fakenham. He featured prominently at Fontwell last month but has come through it well and, obviously getting on well with Alex Chadwick, the 5lb winner, can withstand a 6lb rise in ratings, especially if there is something raining.
WALSINGHAM – 4.45 Redcar
WALSINGHAM It looks like he is gearing up for something positive and is backed to open his account in the Join Racing TV Now Novice Stakes. This is now a 10-race maiden who may have flattered himself to deceive a few times, but he hasn’t been with current trainer Mick Appleby long and is building on his stable debut run here in September when he was earlier in finished a quick third in a Pontefract Handicap this month. The climb to this 1.6 mile ride clearly benefited the horse on the day and his performance should be further improved as he clearly took the best of those who came from nowhere (first and second were given throughout). He has had good maiden form since his time with Dermot Weld and should be up to the task in this highly profitable affair.
UNCLE SATURDAY – 6.30 Newcastle
UNCLE SAM seems interesting before his Tapeta debut. The son of Washington DC has taken some time to learn his craft and is obviously not a star, but he showed a little more promise when finishing fourth over six furlongs at Thirsk last month and is exactly the type his yard is looking for overall coping well -weather. A falling mark (now 54) could soon be exploited, and this event is lacking in progressive competitors.
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