We have a busy day’s racing on Saturday with action from Fontwell, Newcastle, Southwell and Uttoxeter, live on Sky Sports Racing…
3.00 Uttoxeter – J’Arrive De L’Est and Aworkinprogress face marathon test
J’Arrive De L’Est and Aworkinprogress feature among a field of 17 for the marathon Jenningsbet Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter.
Emmet Mullins saddles J’Arrive De L’Est who has finished runner-up in both starts since joining from Daniela Mele’s yard in France. Both those efforts came in cross-country contests and with Final Orders and Favori De Champdou franking the form on Wednesday, he will head the market under James Bowen.
Aworkinprogress resumed the winning thread when claiming the Surrey National on his last outing, taking his chase record to six wins from seven starts. He appreciates an ease in the ground and any rain would be a positive as he tackles this better race.
Jupiter Allen was an easy winner in deep ground at Wincanton and enters calculations, while Deafening Silence has some admirable placed form and warrants respect for Dan and Harry Skelton.
2.25 Uttoxeter – A Pai De Nom and French Ship headline classy field
A super-competitive JenningsBet Handicap Hurdle where A Pai De Nom and French Ship headline 18 runners.
The Dan Skelton-trained A Pai De Nom has gone from strength to strength this season winning four of his six starts over hurdles including when comfortably landing the odds at Newbury last month. Up another five-pounds for that facile success, he rates the one to beat as he heads up in grade under Harry Skelton.
French Ship will top the weights for the Hobbs and White team. He is another who has enjoyed a successful season winning a pair of strong handicaps and was unfortunate to unseat in the Grade Two Rendlesham Hurdle. That was his first start over three miles, and his stamina is yet to be proven.
Plenty have each-way chances including Just Golden and Keable, while last year’s hero Red Risk bids to follow up his Musselburgh victory.
7.30 Southwell – Debut winner See Blue faces Kokushoku and Penny Time
See Blue, Penny Time, and Kokushoku lock horns in an excellent Win £250,000 With BetMGM’s Golden Goals Novice Stakes at Southwell.
Richard Hughes’ See Blue was well-backed when making a winning debut at Kempton in September and given natural progression he should give a strong account despite shouldering a penalty.
Kokushoku, second when favourite on introduction at Wolverhampton, finished in the same spot when stepped up to a mile at Lingfield, sticking on nicely for pressure. He may want further in time but should be in the mix under Harry Davies.
Penny Time was strong in the betting when making a winning debut at Kempton before being disqualified for weighing in light and he rates the pick with James Doyle a notable booking.
Menzies built on his debut fifth at Kempton to make all over a mile at the same venue last month. That was an impressive display, and he cannot be ruled out.
Best of the rest
1.50 Uttoxeter – Wellington Arch and It’s Top headline excellent opening handicap hurdle.
3.35 Uttoxeter – Class Two with As The Fella Says sure to be popular for Henderson. Milcree is interesting too.
4.10 Uttoxeter – Kadastral faces Seaniecon is strong novices’ hurdle.
4.00 Newcastle – Class Three with Fingal’s Hill among six runners.
4.20 Fontwell – Decent race with Faclo Des Pins seeking a hat-trick.
8.00 Southwell – Artisan Dancer and Tarbat Ness headline.
2.50 Auteuil – Listed race with Magic Marvel among seven runners.
