July 28 / 14.45 Uttoxeter

14.45

Good

Brit Direct Handicap Hurdle (Div II)

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

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.00
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 074-51 CD

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Has a patchy profile but he recorded his second hurdle win when landing a C&D handicap (good) for Martin Keighley 26 days ago; 6lb higher on this stable debut but that was a comfortable success and he remains well treated on best hurdles form; another bold bid could be on the cards.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

3rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:00 Newton Abbot

Ambassador

10st 10lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Micky Hammond

Won at Cartmel (2m1f) in August but form has slumped badly since and he has shown no sign of a revival in two runs since returning from a break in April.

66/1

8th

10

14th Apr 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 5

15:20 Market Rasen

Ambassador

10st 9lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Micky Hammond

Back to winning ways at Cartmel (2m1f) in August but his form has nosedived since, beating just one after a lay-off at Sedgefield (2m1f) 13 days ago.

33/1

6th

7

1st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 4

14:40 Sedgefield

Ambassador

10st 11lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Micky Hammond

Scored at Cartmel (2m1f) in August but largely out of sorts subsequently, pulled up in 2m3f Carlisle handicap in November; lots more is needed after a layoff.

40/1

13/8

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 3-P911 CD

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
His last three wins have been over C&D including under Lewis Stones in his last two starts (heavy/good to soft); escapes a penalty for his comfortable win in a conditional jockeys' handicap last week and he's a strong contender in his hat-trick bid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

16:18 Uttoxeter

Rock On Tommy

10st 6lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Olly Murphy

Seems to reserve his best for Uttoxeter and he gained his fourth course success over this trip in May (good ground; handles heavy); however, he was disappointing here just before Christmas and needs a revival.

9/2

6th

8

7th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 137y

Class 5

15:07 Huntingdon

Rock On Tommy

10st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Five hurdle wins, the latest a hard-fought success at favourite track Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) in May; didn't run badly last month, after a break, but is not one to rely upon heavily.

11/2

4/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 3P7-52 CD BF

Last run: 9 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
7yo who is not easy to predict but his last win came off this mark at Southwell (2m, good to soft) last June and he returned to form with a creditable second behind Rock On Tommy over C&D last week; meets his old rival on similar terms here but he has each-way claims again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

5

9th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 212y

Class 5

14:35 Ludlow

Ten Past Midnight

10st 11lb

J: James Best

T: Martin Keighley

Four-time hurdle winner (2m-2m4f); ran quite well when fourth at Plumpton (2m4f, good) in September and probably didn't get the trip when below that form over 3m last month, but his sole chasing attempt in 2022 did not go well (jumped poorly, pulled up).

11/2

6th

7

15th Oct 2023

Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 5

15:55 Ffos Las

Ten Past Midnight

11st 3lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Martin Keighley

Four-time hurdle winner at up to 2m4f; good effort when fourth of 12 at Southwell (2m4f, good) three weeks ago and is suited by slow ground but today's test may tax his stamina; refitted cheekpieces replace visor.

7/1

4th

8

24th Sep 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 114y

Class 5

15:10 Plumpton

Ten Past Midnight

10st 8lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Martin Keighley

Twice placed during July at Uttoxeter (2m, good to soft), a course he always runs well; does have form elsewhere and has won over this longer trip, so brings fairly solid credentials.

8/1

Form: 87-783 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish 9yo; ran respectably when third over C&D (cheekpieces added) last time but was 13l behind Ambassador in that race and his last success was three years ago; down the list.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

10

3rd Oct 2023

Good

2m 0f 178y

Class 5

16:20 Sedgefield

Bentham

10st 12lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Sara Ender

took keen hold, led narrowly

16/1

5th

5

26th Aug 2023

Soft

2m 1f 46y

Class 5

17:06 Cartmel

Bentham

11st 7lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Sara Ender

Ex-Gavin Cromwell; fair efforts in cheekpieces behind Ambassador at Uttoxeter on last two starts; more needed.

12/1

4th

4

28th Jul 2023

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

14:45 Uttoxeter

Bentham

11st 8lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Sara Ender

led early, headed and prominent 2nd

14/1

16/1

Form: 0/8P83

Last run: 25 days

W: 10st 3lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Far third in a Southwell handicap (2m, good) 25 days ago but that took his record to 0-35 and this veteran is hard to predict; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

7th Sep 2023

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

15:55 Southwell

Naasik

10st 3lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: John Norton

0-37 but he's been placed in two of his last three starts, including when a 5l third at Stratford (2m, good) 14 days ago; on unchanged mark and he could be in the mix again.

11/2

3rd

10

24th Aug 2023

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

15:50 Stratford

Naasik

10st 4lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: John Norton

Has the odd bit of placed form but he's a 10yo with a record of 0-36; taken on.

16/1

5th

10

28th Jul 2023

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

14:45 Uttoxeter

Naasik

10st 3lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: John Norton

Far third in a Southwell handicap (2m, good) 25 days ago but that took his record to 0-35 and this veteran is hard to predict; others preferred.

16/1

Form: 306P-U

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Eight-race maiden for four different yards and he's struggled at big prices in his four handicaps; didn't get very far over C&D on his return four weeks ago and can only be watched until he shows some positive signs.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

12th May 2024

Good

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

16:03 Ludlow

Kracquer

10st 8lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Sarah Hollinshead

Lightly raced for his age, with best effort in a 2m maiden hurdle two years ago; tried cheekpieces on latest start and blinkered today; down the weights but it's hard to make a solid case.

33/1

8th

10

12th May 2024

Good

2m 5f 55y

Class 5

16:03 Ludlow

Kracquer

10st 8lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Sarah Hollinshead

Lightly raced for his age, with best effort in a 2m maiden hurdle two years ago; tried cheekpieces on latest start and blinkered today; down the weights but it's hard to make a solid case.

33/1

7th

6

26th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

12:05 Market Rasen

Kracquer

10st 2lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Sarah Hollinshead

Lightly raced 9yo; mainly modest form but not disgraced when 24l sixth of ten in a Uttoxeter handicap (2m, good to soft) in July when last seen out; cheekpieces are now tried; 5lb out of the weights but could play a part.

40/1

Form: 87522/

Last run: 468 days

W: 10st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Five-time Flat winner but he's 0-10 over hurdles; finished runner-up in two hurdle handicaps last spring but he returned from a lengthy absence with a tailed-off effort at Lingfield (1m4f, AW) two weeks ago; has something to prove after that and this looks tough back in this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

22nd Sep 2023

Heavy

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

16:55 Newton Abbot

Ascot Day

10st 7lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Bernard Llewellyn

led, went clear after 2nd, short of room when headed before 2 out, weakening when hit last

20/1

7th

11

2nd Sep 2023

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:27 Newton Abbot

Ascot Day

10st 2lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Five-time winner on the Flat but 0-11 over hurdles; back from long absence with two heavy defeats this summer (Flat/hurdle) and 3lb out of the weights today; has a lot to prove.

33/1

7th

8

28th Jul 2023

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

14:45 Uttoxeter

Ascot Day

10st 11lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Five-time Flat winner but he's 0-10 over hurdles; finished runner-up in two hurdle handicaps last spring but he returned from a lengthy absence with a tailed-off effort at Lingfield (1m4f, AW) two weeks ago; has something to prove after that and this looks tough back in this sphere.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 09-325

Last run: 24 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Struggled in bumpers in first two starts but he's shown promise in maiden hurdles this summer, including when second of four at Fakenham (2m, good) on his penultimate run; this well-related 5yo still has potential for top yard and he's an interesting contender on handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

18th Jun 2024

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 5

17:50 Stratford

Thorpeness

11st 12lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Rob Summers

Left Dan Skelton after last summer's very disappointing handicap debut and has been pulled up (with various issues cited) on all three starts for current stable; has too much to prove.

40/1

7

7th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

18:00 Hereford

Thorpeness

11st 6lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Rob Summers

Went backwards for Dan Skelton; offered little for his new yard last time, back from a second round of wind surgery, when said to have suffered with his breathing and been unsuited by soft ground; is hard to recommend.

100/1

7

7th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

18:00 Hereford

Thorpeness

11st 6lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Rob Summers

Went backwards for Dan Skelton; offered little for his new yard last time, back from a second round of wind surgery, when said to have suffered with his breathing and been unsuited by soft ground; is hard to recommend.

100/1

Form: 456P/

Last run: 681 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Dual Flat winner for Mark Johnston but he showed very little in four hurdle runs for this yard in 2021; still only a 5yo but he has a lot to prove after 681 days off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

11

28th Jul 2023

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

14:45 Uttoxeter

Andonno

10st 2lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Dual Flat winner for Mark Johnston but he showed very little in four hurdle runs for this yard in 2021; still only a 5yo but he has a lot to prove after 681 days off.

50/1

Form: 6245-

Last run: 96 days

W: 11st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Fair dual Flat winner (1m/1m4f) on soft/heavy ground; has not really lived up to market expectations in his four hurdle runs for current yard but it's still early days in this sphere and he's a possible improver now switched to a handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

26th Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 130y

13:05 Wexford

Greatness Awaits

10st 11lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Cian Collins

Got his fifth hurdles win when beating subsequent Galway festival winner Winning Smut at Killarney in July (2m7f, yielding to soft); beaten 25l apiece in his two chase starts; makes handicap chase debut and chance on his best hurdles form but hasn't shown that yet over fences.

18/1

5th

2

8th Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 2f 54y

18:22 Galway

Greatness Awaits

11st 12lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Cian Collins

Flat winner and very experienced hurdler; gaining his fifth hurdles win, and seventh in all, when taking a 2m7f Killarney handicap in July; remote fourth on chasing debut over a staying trip at Ballinrobe.

25/1

3

25th Aug 2025

Good

2m 7f 65y

19:43 Ballinrobe

Greatness Awaits

11st 12lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Cian Collins

Heavily-raced 6yo was gaining his fifth win hurdling when taking 2m7f Killarney handicap last month; never counted at Galway however since; Flat-bred tries fences here.

10/1

Non-runners

Lightening Gesture

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £17.50
Straight Forecast £15.63
Tricast £32.20
Trifecta £31.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Rock On Tommy

WEST COUNTRY:

Ten Past Midnight

Daily Mail:

Ambassador

Telegraph:

Bentham

The Star:

Ten Past Midnight

RP RATINGS:

Rock On Tommy

POSTDATA:

Rock On Tommy

The Times:

Rock On Tommy

The Guardian:

Rock On Tommy

D Express:

Rock On Tommy

Daily Mirror:

Rock On Tommy

The Sun:

Rock On Tommy

Daily Record:

Ambassador