Uttoxeter - Wed 15 Jul 2026
The third-placed finish by DIAMOND GRACE at Warwick was boosted by the runner-up winning at Stratford on Sunday and the O'Neills' mare could be worth chancing now she has some experience in this discipline. Jessie Jump Jet is more seasoned and is dangerous to ignore after filling the runner-up berth on her last three starts, while Moonshine River attracted support in the betting on her Rules debut and is is another to keep an eye on. Fine Thing and Cougarontheloose represent powerful yards and are feared on that basis.
Lady Fortune failed to back up her win at Market Rasen when she was upped in trip at the same venue last month and may do better with the drop in distance likely to suit. However, there are several potential improvers to also consider, with GIDDYUPADINGDONG tentatively suggested as a value option after a better effort when third at Stratford last month. Daring To Dream, Karthala and Brenda Lady are others capable of figuring in a modest event.
SUNRAY SHADOW was conceding plenty of weight to the pair that finished in front of him over hurdles here most recently and he may be worth another chance. Having tenaciously won his three starts prior to that, winning off this mark back over fences isn't beyond Dan Skelton's consistent gelding. La Pinsonniere is unexposed in this discipline and must be taken seriously, while third place could go to Samuel Spade, who is more proven as a stayer than Sony Bill.
ASK A SAINTE comfortably justified favouritism by nine lengths in this discipline over track and trip two starts ago and this represents only his fourth start for Olly Murphy. With the potential for more to come, he remains the one to beat. Ip Up returned to winning ways in a first-time hood at Market Rasen latest and is bound to mount a bold bid. An Bradan Feasa is another to consider.
Pep Talking has occupied the runner-up berth in each of his last two appearances and might fill that spot again, but this time behind THEONLYWAYISWESSEX. Alan King's charge was victorious over this distance at Warwick on his most recent start and if in similar form, he will prove a tough nut to crack. Le Gentleman is in good heart at present and isn't out of this either.
CAMSHAFT made it a perfect two from two in handicap company at Bangor on her latest outing and only has a 6lb higher rating to contend with. This is just her sixth career start and she gets a confident vote to strike once again. Kayla's Friend got off the mark in a first-time tongue-tie over 2m4f here last month and has to be of interest, while Grey Gamble makes her handicap debut and is worth a market check.
REDBARN won on her first outing under Rules at Worcester prior to filling the runner-up spot under a penalty at Stratford latest and with Harry Skelton back in the plate, she could get her head back in front. Downtown Nashville cost 45,000 euros as a three-year-old and is related to a few winners, including hurdle victor Find A Fortune. Any market confidence behind newcomer Stand Proud would be interesting.
FINE THING built on the promise she showed in points when midfield on her sole start in bumpers. She is expected to relish this step up in trip on her hurdling debut and get off the mark at the expense of Moonshine River. That rival looked a strong stayer when runner up over just shy of 2 1/2m on her sole start over hurdles and will go close if getting a stiff test. Bumper winner Orestina needs to put a poor recent Flat run behind her but could also play a part on her hurdling debut.
Flat winner COLINSKI remains unexposed in this sphere and proved her stamina last time when ridden to pick up the pieces. If ridden slightly more positively she can take advantage of a lenient opening mark. Brenda Lady is another who could have been let in lightly for her handicap bow. With Sean Bowen booked she is feared most ahead of Character Testing who was poor on the Flat last time but was in good form in this discipline previously.
SUNRAY SHADOW has been thriving since being upped to staying trips and should continue his progress here. His hurdles run here last week is exceptionally strong form and he remains unexposed over fences winning his sole start so far. La Pinsonniere was left with too much to do after a series of errors on her chase return but is dangerously well treated on her best hurdle form. She looks the main danger ahead of Samuel Spade who has some slight stamina concerns.
A decent race can go to dual purpose performer MACHETE BEACH. He was too bad to be true on his recent handicap debut where he never travelled but is well treated on his previous novice win. Ask A Sainte had plenty in hand when a C&D winner on his last hurdles start so looks the greatest threat off 4lb higher. Ip Up snapped a long losing run last time and remains thrown in on her best efforts so should also be on the premises.
The steadily progressive THEONLYWAYISESSEX had a bit in hand when a winner over 2 1/2m last time so is expected to defy an 8lb rise. The sound surface will help him see off Ukantango who has looked a tricky ride at times but is well treated on his spring novice win. Le Gentleman has been in good form since a move from France and he was only narrowly denied by a well handicapped rival on his follow up attempt last time. He can also play a part in the finish.
KAYLA'S FRIEND made a winning handicap debut over 2 1/2m and still looks well treated on her point form despite a 6lb rise. Those efforts also suggest this longer trip would suit and she is chosen to account for hat trick seeker Camshaft who demonstrated her stamina when an easy winner last time. Consistent maiden Athena's Dream may do best of the rest.
Debut winner REDBARN improved again when runner up under a penalty last time and can put her experience to good use here. Her greatest threats may come from a pair of newcomers in Downtown Nashville and Stand Proud with the former having already shaped with promise in points. The latter represents a small yard with a good record in this discipline and the pair both have top jockeys booked.
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.
