You will struggle to find a stronger Beginners' Chase all season than the one at Uttoxeter this afternoon where Nigel Twiston-Davies' Grade 1 winning hurdler Bristol De Mai makes his debut over the larger obstacles under regular partner Daryl Jacob. The 4-y-o receives 9lb from his elders but lacks the scope of his six rivals and preference on this occasion lies with Garde La Victoire (3.00) for the in-form pair of Philip Hobbs and Richard Johnson.
The selection was rated 154 over hurdles and enjoyed a fruitful campaign last term, winning the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham and scoring in listed company when last sighted at Sandown in January. The 6-y-o was given another year over timber by connections but has always looked the quintessential ‘chaser in the making' and on his ideal good-to-soft ground can make a winning debut over fences. He missed this year's spring festivals but should be at Prestbury Park this time round and is 25/1 with BetVictor for The Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March. The race has proven very kind to connections in years gone by, with Captain Chris winning in 2011 and Wishful Thinking 3rd behind Cue Card and Sprinter Sacre in 2012.
The pair of Hobbs and Johnson should go close in with Onefitzall (1.15) making his debut over hurdles after an impressive success in a bumper at the track in December. The selection hasn't been seen since that fifteen-length success but is bred to appreciate both the transition to hurdles and the step up in trip.
The first day of Wetherby's Charlie Hall meeting kicks-off with an excellent six-race card and Royal Vacation (1.05) given the nod to make it third time lucky over hurdles in the opener. The well-bred son of King's Theatre was unfortunate to run into a couple of useful types last term, chasing home Qewy and Minella Rocco in Novices' Hurdles at Newbury, but with nothing of that ilk against him this afternoon he can score under Paddy Brennan.
Eight runners go to post for the feature Handicap Chase over two and a half miles where Off the Ground (2.15) can score on his second start for the Charlie Longsdon yard. The selection was progressive with former trainer Emma Lavelle and was running well prior to falling on his debut for the yard last month at Warwick. He was second in the corresponding race last year and must go close from an 8lb lower mark.
Lucinda Russell's string remain in excellent form and providing he's fully tuned-up on his seasonal reappearance Itstimeforapint (3.25) should go close under 3lb conditional Dominic Fox. The selection looked to be a staying chaser to keep on the right side of when scoring at the track on Boxing Day, following-up with excellent runs in defeat at Ayr and Catterick thereafter. The 7-y-o should relish the emphasis on stamina and can score at the expense of Sue Smith's Alta Rock; who remain potentially well-treated after fine efforts in weaker races at Sedgefield and Uttoxeter.
There's flat racing from Newmarket where Jim Bolger's Irish raider Clear Cut (12.25) is a fascinating entry in the opening 7f Maiden. The well-bred son of Acclamation was well-backed on debut last month at Fairyhouse when narrowly touched-off in the closing stages, and far from disgraced finishing sixth when pitched into Gp 3 company at the track a fortnight ago over a mile. The drop back in trip should suit and back in calmer waters is a confident selection to shed the maiden tag at the third time of asking under Kevin Manning.
David O'Meara's Maraakib should be competitive under a penalty after his last time out success at Doncaster but preference instead lies with Clowance One (12.55) on handicap debut under George Baker. Roger Charlton's colt struck at the third time of asking last month at Kempton and with further improvement likely could prove far better than his opening mark of 81 suggests.
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