Uttoxter 3.00 + added Kempton Race
A very competitive Handicap Hurdle over 2 miles and 4 furlongs with 20 runners, a lot of rain and wind about and I want proven stamina and experience on my side where possible. Buckthorn Timothy and Forecast make the Tracker, both have ideal profiles and massive dangers, BUT both look 8-10lbs wrong in terms of handicap mark to me and likely to run well but find a few better handicapped. Magoo is another big danger, given the form of Trainer and Jockey but had a tough enough run last week, this could be brutal and not totally convinced it wants an absolute "slog".
The 3 I like most are POKER PLAY who ran much better last time at Exeter, has proven stamina and the drop in trip in the conditions does not concern me nor the easier track, has winning French form on Heavy Going and the jockey is as good as anyone round this quirky track where you have to get a position going in to the home straight but not be tempted to commit too soon. My other main pick would be SHANNON BRIDGE that had good hurdle form last season, hasn't really taken to Chasing and lost its way a bit, has had a wind operation, around 3 months back, you have to take on trust that it will be fit enough to win after a 79 day rest but did win off a 227 day break earlier in its career and looks solid each way chance. The one less experienced horse I can't completely ignore is HILL SIXTEEN who comes from a Yard and pilot always worth following here, clearly based on P2P form is a long term 3 miles + Chaser in the making but keeps improving over hurdles and if not inconvenienced by a step up in handicap mark again, could frankly be "anything".
The Advisor also looked at the 2.40 at Kempton and thinks that both WICKED WILLY and STAR OF LANKA are nicely weighted and both step back in trip in what may be testing conditions, not so much the ground as the high winds and worth a smaller each way bet.