5 Uttoxeter Runners

There are three meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps fixtures from Uttoxeter and Warwick as well as an all-weather flat fixture from Lingfield.  It looks like being a busy day for the stable with five runners at Uttoxeter.  Delface (pictured above) contests the two mile handicap hurdle at 12.35pm and has to carry top weight of 11-12.  He was a solid third at the track last time, he is 2lbs lower today and should be thereabouts once again.  Dusky Hercules runs in the staying novices' hurdle at 1.05pm - he has shown promise in bumpers and one hurdle start to date.  He would need to improve on those efforts to figure, but the longer trip certainly looks likely to suit.  It's Obvious would have claims on his best form in the three mile handicap chase at 1.40pm although he would have to improve on most recent efforts.  Eur Gone West has produced two good efforts at this track this term and looks like he would have each-way claims stepped up in trip on his handicap debut.  Just Midas is our final runner in the 3.15pm race and he is yet to build on the promise of his bumper efforts although this longer trip could help.

I thought that Dell' Arca ran another good race at Haydock yesterday to finish third in the 3m3½f handicap chase.  He would have finished closer but for a couple of jumping errors, but even so, this was a decent effort conceding 22lbs and 14lbs to the two directly in front of him.  Surely the handicapper has to give him a reasonable drop in order to give him a chance.  Percy Street was fourth at Taunton on the back of his good effort at Leicester two days earlier.  He was sent off the 5/4 favourite which I find hard to believe, while Martabot was only beaten six lengths into fifth in the closing handicap hurdle and he should be winning somewhere.

Jockey Andrew Tinkler had a nasty fall at Doncaster over the weekend, breaking three bones in his face.  He fractured his jaw, cheek bone and eye socket so it isn't going to be a very happy New Year for him.  These jockeys really do earn their money.  We wish him a speedy recovery.

Many happy returns to Bob Wheatley who owned Martin's first big winner, Baron Blakeney who won the 1981 Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.  We would love a few more like him!  Happy birthday Bob - we hope you have a great day.

I hope a few of you followed me with the weekend football.  My treble on Manchester United, City and Chelsea came up.  I was impressed by United who beat Bournemouth with Paul Pogba scoring twice.  I wonder what Mourinho is thinking?  Meanwhile, I am looking forward to the Manchester City versus Liverpool game on Thursday.

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I am reading a new book "Crossing Roads" by Luke Bothways!

I would just like to thank my reader for reading my blog over the last twelve months.  Have a very Happy New Year and see you in 2019.

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