5 Runners At Uttoxeter

An exciting day lies ahead as the stable has five runners at Uttoxeter this afternoon.  They are Huccaby, Story Of Friends, Malangen, Airton and Midnight Magic.  Huccaby contests the 2m7½f handicap hurdle at 1.10pm and he is partnered by promising amateur jockey Fergus Gillard.  He showed some promise last term, notably on his final start at Plumpton in January.  That was on very different ground, but he looks as though he will benefit from this longer trip and cannot be dismissed from his light weight.

Story Of Friends and Malangen contest the 2m handicap hurdle at 2.40pm.  Story Of Friends (pictured above) won twice last term, including first time out.  He also went close from a 1lb lower mark on his handicap debut and should go well under Tom Scudamore.  Meanwhile, Malangen had a productive season over fences but reverts to hurdles here but he is still 7lbs higher than his last winning mark under this code.  David Noonan is in the saddle.

Airton runs in the 2m4f handicap hurdle at 3.40pm for the David Pipe Racing Club.  He has dropped to a very tempting mark and is 2lbs lower than when runner-up in a handicap on his penultimate start.  Fergus Gillard also takes a very handy 7lbs off his back.  Has claims from a form perspective but does need to improve on his most recent efforts.

Our final runner of the day is Midnight Magic who runs in the 3m handicap chase at 4.10pm.  He ran perfectly respectably at the track on his seasonal reappearance and may benefit from this 2f shorter trip.  He was runner-up from this mark at Ludlow last term and will certainly enjoy this sound surface.  Regular rider David Noonan is in the saddle and he looks to have a solid chance.  Let's hope for a winner or two today!

I see that Enable will likely face only three Aidan O'Brien opponents in the King George at Ascot on Saturday.  It is a shame the race is not a bit more competitive, although I suppose with so many of these top-class races crammed together in the truncated race programme, many will choose to avoid her and head for other targets.  Let's hope that Enable can claim a third win in the race en-route to another crack at the Arc.

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Liverpool beat Chelsea 5-3 in a goal fest at Anfield last night.  It was certainly an exciting match although I'm sure David won't be too happy about it this morning.  With Manchester United drawing with West Ham, United move ahead of Chelsea on goal difference, whilst the Hammers are safe from relegation for another year with one match still to go.

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My Auntie Marge has been poorly for so long that we have given her a new nickname...I can't believe she's not better!

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