July 28 / 14.10 Uttoxeter

14.10

Good

Brit Direct Handicap Hurdle (Div I)

  • Prize money: £3406.24
  • 1m 7f 168y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
SKY
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Brit Direct Handicap Hurdle (Div I)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.75
  • Place: £1.60

Form: P5-242

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
0-15 over hurdles but has made the frame on all three starts this season, most recently when second of 12 at Southwell (2m, good) last month; competes off same mark again here; probably won't be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

18th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

12:40 Leicester

George Mallory

10st 5lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Won a 2m handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter in July last year (good to soft) but then off for 306 days; mixed fortunes since; first run at this trip.

15/2

8th

9

18th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 5

12:40 Leicester

George Mallory

10st 5lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Won a 2m handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter in July last year (good to soft) but then off for 306 days; mixed fortunes since; first run at this trip.

15/2

4th

8

1st Nov 2024

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

15:10 Uttoxeter

George Mallory

10st 9lb

J: James Bowen

T: Charles & Adam Pogson

Sole win over C&D, in July 2023; has a generally sound record on this track and ran as well as could be expected last month, behind one who was on the second leg of a hat-trick; not far away.

9/1

11/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: /508-3

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Opened account in first-time cheekpieces on the Flat in May and ran big race when close third on last month's handicap hurdle debut at Hexham (2m, good); this looks more competitive, but he still enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

7

27th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

17:25 Stratford

A Shining Moon

10st 12lb

J: Tom Midgley

T: Paul Midgley

towards rear, bad mistake 3rd

16/1

12th

6

(12)

10th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 5f 218y

Class 6

16:55 Redcar

A Shining Moon

9st 7lb

J: David Nolan

T: Paul Midgley

More than a year since he ran well on the Flat and the switch to blinkers didn't help last time (returns to the usual cheekpieces today); would be a surprise winner upped from 1m2f.

25/1

8th

7

(3)

30th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 1f 207y

Class 6

14:10 Beverley

A Shining Moon

10st 4lb

J: Mr Lewis Kent

T: Paul Midgley

On a lengthy losing sequence and he failed to beat a rival in 1m4f handicap at Leicester last month; blinkers replace the usual cheekpieces here with plenty to prove.

25/1

13/2

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 55-741 CD

Last run: 51 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Five hurdle wins including two over C&D in 2022 and the latest at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good) last month; both recent Flat runs were underwhelming but he's still on a workable hurdle mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

16th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

19:45 Ffos Las

Good Impression

11st 4lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Six hurdle wins (one over C&D) in his time and he might have just needed last month's run after his winter break; has a workable mark and is one to consider.

10/1

8

16th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

19:45 Ffos Las

Good Impression

11st 4lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Bernard Llewellyn

held up in rear, overjumped and fell 1st

10/1

6th

9

21st Mar 2025

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

16:15 Ffos Las

Good Impression

10st 3lb

J: Ellis Collier

T: Bernard Llewellyn

held up in rear

13/2

Form: 8/P11- D

Last run: 332 days

W: 10st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Signed off for Claire Harris with two good-ground wins last August but subsequent 11-month break may have checked his momentum; market likely to guide on today's stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

21st Aug 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

14:45 Newton Abbot

Colonel Lesley

10st 10lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Richard Hawker

Hasn't won for nearly three years but he's often placed and was only just denied over 2m1f here in June, though he has to be forgiven a below-par run when well behind Stinginhisstep over C&D last month; could place again, with Brian Hughes taking over from a claimer, if back on song.

9/1

6th

7

20th Jul 2025

Good

2m 2f 110y

Class 5

16:07 Newton Abbot

Colonel Lesley

11st 0lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Richard Hawker

Went down fighting when beaten a head off today's mark here (2m1f, good) last month, his second run after a layoff, and will be fine over today's longer trip; featured prominently in calculations.

4/1

2nd

8

24th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:57 Newton Abbot

Colonel Lesley

10st 7lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Richard Hawker

C&D winner (2022, no win since) who was second twice here last summer; shaped as though the run might have been needed when finishing sixth of ten on reappearance over C&D (good) 20 days ago; on a competitive mark and likely to be all the sharper for that.

6/1

Form: 63-P85 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Caused 40-1 surprise off lowly mark over C&D last summer but subsequent record is not persuasive, and he's 3lb out of the weights today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

30th Aug 2024

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

15:50 Fontwell

African Sun

10st 2lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Joanne Thomason-Murphy

Only beaten about 10l when fourth at Uttoxeter (2m, soft) last month but is effectively only 1lb lower here and it's over two years since his only win.

25/1

4th

13

9th Jul 2024

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

19:05 Uttoxeter

African Sun

10st 2lb

J: James Best

T: Joanne Thomason-Murphy

Won this race in 2022 but yet to add to that success, and it's a good while since he was placed; 6lb wrong today; difficult to enthuse over.

50/1

7th

7

27th May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

16:55 Huntingdon

African Sun

10st 2lb

J: Harriet Tucker

T: Joanne Thomason-Murphy

in rear

40/1

Form: 4/3-0

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Well beaten on handicap hurdle debut six weeks ago and comes here with a point to prove but this useful Flat-racer could still have significant untapped potential in this sphere and remains of interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

16

(2)

13th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 4

17:15 York

Lightening Company

8st 10lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Ben Haslam

Form figures of 5075 at this meeting in the last four years; one win a season had previously appeared his quota but he's already exceeded that in 2026, having scored at Pontefract (1m4f/1m2f) on last two outings; that demands some respect but this race is a higher grade.

10/1

1st

2

(2)

29th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 5

16:33 Pontefract

Lightening Company

9st 8lb

J: Harry Vigors

T: Ben Haslam

Four-time Flat winner, including C&D, who has been all or nothing since scoring over hurdles at Cartmel in July; three AW no-shows followed good second over C&D (soft; 40-1) in October but market support predicted a going day when scoring here (1m4f, good to soft) three weeks ago; might not want the ground to get too quick but otherwise a key player under 2lb nudge.

5/4

1st

5

(4)

7th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 5y

Class 5

16:27 Pontefract

Lightening Company

9st 6lb

J: Andrew Mullen

T: Ben Haslam

Now 5lb lower than when second here (1m2f, soft) last October but did not emerge from the rear division when a big-priced outsider for all three subsequent AW runs; considered only if much strong in betting today.

9/1

Form: 45/25-

Last run: 258 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Safely held over C&D on handicap hurdle debut in November and not seen over hurdles again since but is a dual AW winner this year and remains unexposed in this sphere; had wind op in May; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

3rd Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

21:00 Warwick

Theonlywayiswessex

11st 11lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

On a fairly tough mark but otherwise has plenty in his favour and ran a solid second over C&D last time; every chance.

6/4

2nd

5

4th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:25 Warwick

Theonlywayiswessex

11st 11lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Alan King

Below par when last seen in August but ran pretty well in his previous two races, including here; has plenty in his favour, other than a tough enough mark.

8/1

4th

4

21st Aug 2025

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

17:35 Newton Abbot

Theonlywayiswessex

11st 8lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Two solid placed efforts since returning from a break, latest when a 7.25l third at Stratford (2m3f, good to firm; Magic Seven second) last month; should give another good account though he remains vulnerable off this sort of mark.

15/2

Form: 5756P-

Last run: 144 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Made quite promising handicap debut when fifth of 17 at Doncaster (2m, good) in January but two lesser efforts followed; had wind op during 144-day break and now sports cheekpieces; needs to get back on track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

30th Aug 2024

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 5

18:45 Fontwell

Silver Atom

10st 9lb

J: Miss Brodie Hampson

T: Archie Watson

1-26 under all codes, the win gained off a basement Flat mark just under a year ago; well beaten over hurdles, fences and on the Flat in recent months, and difficult to enthuse over at present.

20/1

6th

6

(9)

8th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 198y

Class 6

16:30 Brighton

Silver Atom

9st 9lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Comfortably held over fences the last twice; sole win came under this code but he achieved little in sole Flat run this year.

10/1

12

1st Jul 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

14:25 Worcester

Silver Atom

10st 2lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Archie Watson

Won on the Flat at Bath last September; in the frame in four of his handicaps over hurdles in November-April last term but less encouraging recently and always behind on chasing debut at Market Rasen (2m3f, good; 28-1) ten days ago; best watched.

20/1

Form: 4/35-0 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Won twice off higher marks for Sara Ender in 2021-22 season but, having rejoined this stable, made low-key return from one-year absence last month; entitled to have benefited from that outing but others have less to prove; tongue-tie fitted for first time since 2018.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

10

3rd Oct 2023

Good

2m 3f 188y

Class 4

13:30 Sedgefield

Demi Sang

10st 12lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Sara Ender

Won handicap hurdle over C&D for this yard off 13lb higher in February 2022; below par in two runs this summer after having more than a year off; best watched for now.

40/1

0

1

28th Jul 2023

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

14:10 Uttoxeter

Demi Sang

12st 0lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Sara Ender

Won twice off higher marks for Sara Ender in 2021-22 season but, having rejoined this stable, made low-key return from one-year absence last month; entitled to have benefited from that outing but others have less to prove; tongue-tie fitted for first time since 2018.

14/1

11th

4

30th Jun 2023

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 4

13:55 Cartmel

Demi Sang

11st 9lb

J: Mr John Dawson

T: Sara Ender

2-5 for Sara Ender between December 2021 and March 2022, both wins coming off higher marks; not quite at his best in two outings for Micky Hammond last June (including this race); may need this first run for 12 months.

10/1

Non-runners

Grizabella, Reams Of Love, Cawthorne Cracker

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £31.80
Straight Forecast £30.44
Tricast £187.21
Trifecta £133.50

Selections

RP RATINGS:

George Mallory

SPOTLIGHT:

Lightening Company

The Guardian:

Colonel Lesley

WEST COUNTRY:

Silver Atom

D Express:

A Shining Moon

Daily Mail:

Theonlywayiswessex

The Star:

Good Impression

Telegraph:

Demi Sang

The Times:

Lightening Company

The Sun:

Colonel Lesley

POSTDATA:

George Mallory

Daily Mirror:

George Mallory

Daily Record:

George Mallory