Uttoxeter - Sat 14 Mar 2026
It could pay to side with the unexposed IT'S TOP, who sneaks in at the foot of the weights. This point-to-point and bumper winner has taken well to hurdles, building on an excellent second to subsequent Supreme runner-up Sober Glory when opening his account at Carlisle. Stepping up in trip could bring about further improvement and an opening mark of 116 looks workable. A Perfect Day's latest effort at Chepstow can be upgraded as he made a mistake two out, causing his rider to lose both irons. Last-start C&D winner Warriors Destiny merits consideration, while Below The Radar shouldn't be too far away either.
RED RISK caused something of a shock in this race last year, scoring at 22/1, but he certainly won't go under the radar this time. With Freddie Keighley's claim taken into consideration, he is effectively only 1lb higher than 12 months ago and a comfortable Musselburgh victory last month shows him to be arriving in great nick. A Pai De Nom has improved throughout the season, winning four times including by five lengths at Newbury latest, and he is likely to be in the thick of the action once again. Keable and French Ship are others to note in a fiercely competitive renewal.
It's difficult to weigh up the chances of J'arrive De L'est, who makes his first start over regulation fences for this stable after finishing runner-up in a couple of cross country races at Cheltenham. The form of those contests does look strong and he warrants a lot of respect, but AWORKINPROGRESS appears a more solid option on this occasion. He has a terrific record of six wins from seven starts over fences and produced a career-best performance when landing the Surrey National at Lingfield most recently. An extra five furlongs is expected to suit and he is capable of defying a 5lb rise. Deafening Silence has done little wrong in three starts so far this season and must enter calculations, while Alcedo could surprise one or two at longer odds.
Having maintained his unbeaten record over fences when completing a double at Kelso, further glory cannot be ruled out for Milcree. However, a 5lb higher mark and step up in class does demand another career best from the eight-year-old, with AS THE FELLA SAYS being slightly more compelling. Nicky Henderson's charge opened his account over fences at Newbury with something in hand and a 7lb rise looks surmountable. The hat-trick seeking Golden Point adds further spice to the mix.
Having proved a little underwhelming since finishing second at Warwick in November, Dig Deep may have his work cut out against the penalised winners. Seaniecon looked a dour stayer when scoring over an extended 3m1f at Hereford and may find this drop back in distance on the sharp side, which could leave the door open for KADASTRAL. Although Dan Skelton's inmate was no match for subsequent Supreme runner-up Sober Glory at Newbury, he holds obvious claims in these calmer waters.
KALISTA LOVE has adapted well to chasing and appeals strongly after a ready success at Fakenham. Comfortably on top in the closing stages that day, a 5lb rise looks a fair assessment for just her fifth start in this discipline. The consistent Moor End gets plenty of weight from the selection and is another to seriously consider on these terms. Kelijoe ran too freely to justify favouritism at Catterick and would be a key player if bouncing back to the form that saw him win readily at Doncaster previously.
Point-to-point winners Jenny France and Blue Skies Ahead are notable contenders on their debut under Rules, while Queen Marcia, Sassipants and Boum Town Rosy have some bumper experience and are potential improvers. However, the same must be said of the other former pointer VRHELIGONNE, who sets the standard after a very promising second to a useful-looking rival on debut for Ben Pauling in a similar even at Warwick last month. Well backed that day, the 80,000-pound purchase stands out with her bid to go one better.
WELLINGTON ARCH can defy top weight here. He boasts some strong handicap form from spring festivals last year and bounced back to form when runner up to a handicap blot last time. That form has been franked and the way he finished the race hinted that a step back up in trip was needed. Veteran West To The Bridge gained a first victory in a year last time and remains well treated on his old form. This track should suit and he will be dangerous if allowed to dictate. It's Top boasts a very different profile coming here for just his third start. He looks on a fair mark based on his novice form and is open to further improvement now upped in trip so should also pose a threat.
A hot contest where the Skeltons hold a strong hand. At the bottom of the weights Just Golden is of some interest having still looked green when getting off the mark last time. He boasts some strong maiden form and looks a likely improver now handicapping over further. It is his stablemate A PAI DE NOM who is the stable first string on jockey bookings and the selection here though. He ran well in the Lanzarote on his penultimate start before taking advantage of an unchanged mark in decisive fashion next time. A 5lb rise looks extremely lenient and he can continue his yard's decent record in this contest. Hartington was just outstayed by a course specialist on heavy ground last time but he's proven progressive and with his form franked looks a big danger back on a quick surface. Roaring Conquest is another who will prefer these conditions to last time and if a line is drawn through that effort he boasts the right profile for this so is of interest at a bigger price.
Course winner Aworkinprogress has continued his progression this term and landed the Surrey National last time. His mark has gone up again as a result though and he was fortunate to beat CATCH CATCHFIRE who threw the race away with a late error. The selection races off just 6lb higher and his last run is worth ignoring as he was kicked at the start so never travelled. He can get back on track for a shrewd yard at the expense of My Immortal who benefitted from a pace bias when winning in Ireland last time. The form of that victory has taken a big boost since but he could do with some rain to be seen at his best. Fellow Irish raider J'Arrive De L'Est has been running well in cross country races and is well treated on his French form so is also respected for a shrewd stable. Of those at bigger prices last time out winner Sporting Ace is also of interest. He remains on a winning mark and has run well at this track in the past but is prone to thowing in the odd bad run when unable to dictate.
MILCREE has taken well to fences and is expected to complete the hat trick here. A 5lb rise looks lenient as he came a long way clear with the runner up last time. As The Fella Says beat a useful field last time and had a bit in hand so looks the obvious danger off 7lb higher. Top weight Saint Davy could also be a player having bounced back to form on his last couple of starts. He is well treated on his Graded novice form and was thought highly enough of to contest the feature on this card last year.
SEANIECON was a cosy winner last time and is expected to defy a penalty. His debut runner up effort has been franked emphatically and he sets a clear standard on ratings. Kadastral also carries a big weight but he is an obvious danger with his latest effort worth marking up as he just tired late on ground more testing than ideal after some bad errors. Barry Fife was green but ran well here first time out and could also play a part if fit after his lay off.
KELIJOE is fancied to make a winning chase debut here. He is well treated on his last win over hurdles and his latest run is worth forgiving as he was far too free while the drying ground is in his favour. Kalista Love looks the obvious danger given her 50% strike rate so far over fences. A 5lb rise for her latest win looks fair but this trip is on the sharp side so she will need a stiff test. Hawaii Du Mestivel is likely capable of much better than what he showed on his chase debut. He needed the run that day but has had a wind op since and he looks fairly treated on his progressive hurdles form. He can complete the tricast.
VRHELIGONNE was only caught late by a more experienced rival who set a useful rival on debut and could be tough to beat if building on that here. Her yard has been in excellent form recently including in this discipline and she should be able to defeat Queen Marcia who sets the standard on form. Her latest run at Ascot is worth marking up a little as she refused to settle and she has an experience edge on her rivals. Sassipants has shaped as if she'd improve for further in time but her debut form here looks good and she could also play a part in the finish if getting a decent test.
Whilst studying the form, we have a dedicated horse racing free bets page where you can find offers on all today's racing, as well as offers to use for races on our Ante-Post Prices page, which has markets available for upcoming major meetings as well as the Grand National 2026, Royal Ascot 2026 and Cheltenham Festival 2026.
