May 04 / 17.45 Uttoxeter

17.45

Soft

Carlsberg Marston’s Staffordshire Plate Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £18004
  • 3m 0f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
SKY
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Carlsberg Marston’s Staffordshire Plate Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 22211- D

Last run: 37 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Comfortable winner of his last two, though the Chepstow race (2m7f, heavy) fell apart and they weren't an in-form bunch he beat at Wetherby (3m, soft); up another 8lb in a much better race but he's only 7yo and seems to be improving.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

3m 3f 119y

Class 3

19:20 Stratford

Imperial Alex

12st 0lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Four-times winning chaser over around 3m; returned to his best when beaten a neck at Ffos Las (3m, good) 25 days ago with 15l back to the third; nudged up 4lb but holds claims if he gets home over this marathon trip.

7/4

2nd

4

5th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 4

16:18 Ffos Las

Imperial Alex

11st 9lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

In career-best form last summer over 3m on good ground; soundly beaten in his last three races, disappointingly so at Warwick last time when back on his favoured surface (good); bit to prove now.

10/1

5th

4

26th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:30 Warwick

Imperial Alex

11st 5lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

In top form over 3m on good ground last May/June, finishing second at Uttoxeter then first at Perth; soundly beaten on both runs since but those were on heavy/soft going and perhaps today's return to a better surface will trigger a revival.

11/1

8/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: /241U- D

Last run: 34 days

W: 10st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Delivered on earlier chasing promise to win at Exeter (3m, heavy) before departing mid-race when 5-2 for the West Wales National at Ffos Las; unlike a lot of these, he could still be on the upgrade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

25th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 5f 142y

Class 4

16:00 Bangor-on-Dee

Pimlico Point

11st 13lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Kerry Lee

Handicapped to be competitive and he'll go on the ground, but he had a complete off-day at Wincanton last month and blinkers now replace cheekpieces.

11/1

5

29th Jan 2026

Heavy

3m 1f 30y

Class 3

15:33 Wincanton

Pimlico Point

10st 13lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Kerry Lee

Heavy-ground winner; back from another break, as was the case when second at Worcester (2m7f, good to soft) and a respectable fifth at Ffos Las (3m1f, soft); handicapped to be competitive.

8/1

11/4

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 3P527-

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Fourth in a 3m Grade 1 novice hurdle at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival; there have been some bumps in the road since his successful chase debut the following season but he's been back in good form this year and ran well for a long way before the 4m stretched him in the Scottish National; leading player if fully recovered from those exertions.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

8th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

13:50 Newbury

Ballygrifincottage

11st 11lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Has flattered to deceive over fences (1-12) and jumping mistakes played a part; a bit below his best on his two completions this autumn/winter and has now left Dan Skelton; blinkers replace his usual cheekpieces for this first hurdle race since March 2023; well handicapped judged on best efforts but he's now a 10yo.

20/1

9th

4

8th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

13:50 Newbury

Ballygrifincottage

11st 11lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

Has flattered to deceive over fences (1-12) and jumping mistakes played a part; a bit below his best on his two completions this autumn/winter and has now left Dan Skelton; blinkers replace his usual cheekpieces for this first hurdle race since March 2023; well handicapped judged on best efforts but he's now a 10yo.

20/1

2

16th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 162y

Class 3

15:45 Wincanton

Ballygrifincottage

11st 11lb

J: Fergus Gillard

T: Dan Skelton

held up in rear, not fluent 3rd

14/1

Form: P8115- D

Last run: 49 days

W: 11st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Had some smart form in Ireland before losing his way and changing hands for £16,000; kicked off for Jamie Snowden in winning two military races for amateurs at Sandown (3m, soft) and the horses he beat on both occasions have won handicaps subsequently; didn't get home on heavy in the Midlands National here but ran well enough for long enough to believe he's still in good form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

13th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 37y

Class 3

15:05 Sandown

Farceur Du Large

12st 5lb

J: Maj Will Kellard

T: Jamie Snowden

Won the Grand Military Gold Cup over C&D last January and followed up in this race (also soft), both under Major Will Kellard; beaten just over 1l when second to Fil d'Ariane in the Grand Military Gold Cup three weeks ago but he's 5lb better off with the selection today and has solid claims.

5/2

2nd

1

24th Jan 2025

Good

3m 0f 37y

Class 3

15:00 Sandown

Farceur Du Large

12st 5lb

J: Maj Will Kellard

T: Jamie Snowden

disputed lead, prominent after 2nd, lost ground before 16th, not fluent 17th, hit 18th, not fluent 3 out

6/4

2nd

1

24th Jan 2025

Good

3m 0f 37y

Class 3

15:00 Sandown

Farceur Du Large

12st 5lb

J: Maj Will Kellard

T: Jamie Snowden

Ex-Irish gelding who won this quite comfortably 12 months ago on his first start for Jamie Snowden and followed up in February's Royal Artillery Gold Cup (again under Major Will Kellard); the horses he beat in both those races went on to win handicaps and he too ran well to be fifth in the Midlands National; the glaring concern is the very laboured return he made in a Newbury handicap, yet none of his rivals offered a lot more on their final starts.

6/4

Form: P28P5- D

Last run: 35 days

W: 10st 10lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Last season was a struggle and his second at Aintree (2m4f, soft) on Boxing Day came in a four-runner race; mark continues to slide but he looks vulnerable to rivals in better form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

31st Dec 2024

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:20 Warwick

Top Ville Ben

12st 0lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Jennie Candlish

led, headed 13th, weakened after 4 out

7/2

3rd

1

31st Dec 2024

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:20 Warwick

Top Ville Ben

12st 0lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Jennie Candlish

led, headed 13th, weakened after 4 out

7/2

5th

2

9th Dec 2024

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

15:30 Lingfield

Top Ville Ben

11st 12lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Jennie Candlish

Mostly struggled last season, best effort when a close second of four at Aintree (2m4f, soft) on Boxing Day but form slumped after and well held in a Class 2 at Uttoxeter (3m) in May on final start for Philip Kirby; on a good mark but needs the change of scenery to have revived him.

8/1

Form: 771PP- C

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Has to bounce back from two non-completions but he ran well for a long way in the Grimthorpe at Doncaster and jumping left didn't help at Kempton; he's not easy to predict but a good day would see him have some say off this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 2

16:15 Doncaster

Docpickedme

10st 10lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Richard Hobson

Doncaster form figures read 1P2114, the last five of which were over fences; not disgraced last time and this hurdles mark is 10lb lower, so a case can be made.

5/1

4th

5

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 1

14:05 Doncaster

Docpickedme

11st 4lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Richard Hobson

Course form figures read 1P211, the last two wins coming in this race last year (good) and over C&D (good to soft) last month, both off a mark 2lb lower than today's; has also won on soft; respected given his record here.

7/1

13

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Docpickedme

10st 5lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Richard Hobson

9yo who has been inconsistent over the years but he's been better than ever the last twice, going very close at Doncaster (3m, good to soft) in December before winning another competitive handicap there (3m, good) in January, albeit having a battle on his hands before being left clear at the final fence; that latest form still reads well and a 4lb rise isn't harsh; chance.

6/1

Form: 3142P- D

Last run: 22 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Goes particularly well at Kempton where he posted form figures of 142 in competitive handicaps (2m4f-3m) before pulling up in the Topham at Aintree; can run well away from Kempton but it's never going to be easy off his current mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

1st Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:55 Kempton

Flegmatik

11st 11lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Three-time course winner (2m4f-3m); not quite at best this season but handicapped according, and went down fighting when a clear second here (2m4f, good) last month; likely contender.

9/4

2nd

1

1st Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:55 Kempton

Flegmatik

11st 11lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Three-time course winner (2m4f-3m); not quite at best this season but handicapped according, and went down fighting when a clear second here (2m4f, good) last month; likely contender.

9/4

OUR TIP

Form: 44P1P-

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Won a four-runner chase at Newcastle in February (2m4f, heavy) and his pull-ups on either side of that were over hurdles; however, he's not as good as he was and this might be too big an ask.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

7th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 45y

Class 3

12:14 Wetherby

Cheddleton

12st 1lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

prominent, disputed lead 7th, led 10th

14/1

1

7th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

3m 0f 45y

Class 3

12:14 Wetherby

Cheddleton

12st 1lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

prominent, disputed lead 7th, led 10th

14/1

7th

5

13th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 123y

Class 2

15:35 Bangor-on-Dee

Cheddleton

11st 6lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Jennie Candlish

Returned to form and won four-runner chase in first-time cheekpieces in February but was pulled up on consecutive outings in the spring (hurdle/chase) and has done all his winning on soft/heavy ground; others preferred.

16/1

Form: 36131- C

Last run: 46 days

W: 10st 9lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Last two wins have been Class 3 handicaps at Exeter over 2m3f on soft ground but he stays this far and his mark remains okay; may need a personal best to win at this level but appeals each-way.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

24th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 72y

Class 4

17:40 Bangor-on-Dee

Stormy Flight

11st 13lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

prominent, lost ground after 2nd, reminder after 7th, struggling from 4 out, pulled up after 3 out

4/1

3

24th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 72y

Class 4

17:40 Bangor-on-Dee

Stormy Flight

11st 13lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Jeremy Scott

prominent, lost ground after 2nd, reminder after 7th, struggling from 4 out

4/1

6th

1

21st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 6f 93y

Class 4

16:02 Newbury

Stormy Flight

12st 2lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Jeremy Scott

His second to Lowry's Bar at Exeter in December (2m3f; stays 3m+) reads really well and it wasn't a bad effort last time at Taunton (2m7f); an 11yo now but goes on any ground and he can't be discounted.

8/1

Non-runners

Lord Baddesley

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £18.70
Straight Forecast £16.39
Tricast £44.43
Trifecta £70.90

Selections

Telegraph:

Imperial Alex

RP RATINGS:

Lord Baddesley

LAMBOURN:

Farceur Du Large

WEST COUNTRY:

Stormy Flight

The Times:

Pimlico Point

SPOTLIGHT:

Ballygrifincottage

POSTDATA:

Flegmatik

D Express:

Imperial Alex

The Sun:

Imperial Alex

The Star:

Imperial Alex

Daily Record:

Imperial Alex

TOPSPEED:

Lord Baddesley

Daily Mail:

Lord Baddesley

The Guardian:

Farceur Du Large

Daily Mirror:

Stormy Flight