December 06 / 14.25 Uttoxeter

14.25

Good To Soft

Signs 2000 Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4683.56
  • 1m 7f 168y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
SKY
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Signs 2000 Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.80
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 6-722P D

Last run: 12 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Ran poorly in a chase 12 days ago and needs to bounce back quickly from that but was second on consecutive hurdling starts this autumn (2m, good/good to soft) and has good each-way claims if judged on those efforts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

14th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

16:30 Newton Abbot

Opening Bid

12st 1lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Chris Down

Multiple winner over hurdles and fences; went down narrowly after a break at Uttoxeter (2m5f, good) and he's hard to knock, other than the handicapper knowing all about him.

13/2

1st

1

14th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 4

16:30 Newton Abbot

Opening Bid

12st 1lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Chris Down

Multiple winner over hurdles and fences; went down narrowly after a break at Uttoxeter (2m5f, good) and he's hard to knock, other than the handicapper knowing all about him.

13/2

2nd

1

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 4

16:45 Uttoxeter

Opening Bid

11st 12lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Down

led, headed 3 out, hit 2 out, kept on well

8/1

6/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: -69622 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Not as good as he was but has finished second on the last two of his four starts for Brian Barr this autumn, more recently over C&D (good) 24 days ago; moves out of Class 5 company today but still enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

26th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 166y

Class 4

19:09 Plumpton

Begin The Luck

12st 0lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Daisy Hitchins

Largely reliable veteran and a three-time winner since December, latterly over C&D in April; touched off at Fontwell 20 days ago, with I Shut That d'Or about 5l back in third; nudged up 1lb but likely to make his presence felt again.

2/1

2nd

2

6th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

19:42 Fontwell

Begin The Luck

11st 13lb

J: Robbie David

T: Daisy Hitchins

Veteran who has won three times over fences since December including at Plumpton (2m4f, good) 17 days ago; that was in a small field and his main rival made a bad mistake at the last but he still looks feasibly treated and is versatile ground-wise; respected.

5/1

1st

2

19th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 166y

Class 5

14:17 Plumpton

Begin The Luck

11st 7lb

J: Robbie David

T: Daisy Hitchins

Reliable sort who scored at Leicester (2m4f) in March; not discredited when fifth in 2m5f handicap chase at Newton Abbot 15 days ago so ought to be in the shake-up eased 1lb.

3/1

16/1

  • Place: £4.90

Form: 1P4-68 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Looked promising when winning soft-ground C&D maiden by 12l for Dan Skelton a year ago; left that stable after two disappointing efforts and has been safely held in two handicaps for new stable this autumn (2m3f/2m4f; raced too freely both times) but today's drop back in trip could be a good move and it's too early to write him off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

6

6th Sep 2023

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

17:45 Hexham

Cousu Main

11st 6lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Susan Corbett

Has run well in both starts since joining this stable, the first of them when second to Fenna's Loss over C&D in June; possibly needs a shade more for another win but likelier than some to give it a good shot.

9/1

4th

2

22nd Jul 2023

Good

2m 4f 139y

Class 4

14:05 Market Rasen

Cousu Main

12st 0lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Susan Corbett

Signed off for Neil Mulholland with some below-par efforts in the spring but gave good account when clear second to Fenna's Lass on stable debut at Hexham (2m4f, good) four weeks ago; still unexposed over this sort of trip; a possible if in similar form again here.

9/1

2nd

3

25th Jun 2023

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 4

15:20 Hexham

Cousu Main

11st 10lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Susan Corbett

travelled strongly, prominent, going easily when went second after 3 out, ridden when challenging approaching last, kept on

10/1

Form: P612-5 BF

Last run: 215 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
1-13 over hurdles for Philip Hobbs, the win gained at Market Rasen (2m2f, good to soft) in March; sold for £4,000 after below-par run in May and has fitness to prove on today's stable debut; had wind op in October.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

15th May 2023

Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 5

17:45 Southwell

Forever Des Long

11st 3lb

J: David Noonan

T: Claire Dyson

Very well handicapped on some of last year's hurdling form for Philip Hobbs but hasn't shown a great deal for current stable (five runs) and has quite a bit to prove on today's chasing debut.

33/1

8th

4

28th Apr 2023

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

20:00 Southwell

Forever Des Long

11st 8lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Claire Dyson

Very well handicapped on some of last year's form for Philip Hobbs but hasn't shown a great deal for current stable (four runs) and is not the most obvious answer here.

33/1

8th

2

13th Apr 2023

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 5

16:55 Taunton

Forever Des Long

11st 12lb

J: David Noonan

T: Claire Dyson

Defied a higher mark when with previous stable; holds poor claims on form for current yard, however, and first-time tongue-tie needs to prompt a major turnaround.

25/1

Form: 1-4100 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Dual novice hurdle winner in the spring (both times on good ground) but has found things much tougher in his first two handicaps and others have much more obvious claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

29th Aug 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

18:20 Worcester

Toronto

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Dr Richard Newland

Formerly useful on the Flat and a dual hurdle winner in spring 2022; signed off for Brian Barr below form but was only 3-1 on debut for this yard at Bangor and after losing ground quickly it was reported that he bled; likely contender should the wheels stay on.

10/1

0

1

4th Aug 2023

Good

2m 0f 145y

Class 5

17:10 Bangor-on-Dee

Toronto

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Dr Richard Newland

Useful on the Flat in his prime, and a dual hurdle winner in spring 2022; ended last year with some disappointing hurdle runs for Brian Barr but makes stable debut from a very dangerous mark; can't be ignored.

7/2

5

15th Feb 2023

Good

2m 3f 147y

Class 4

15:00 Hereford

Toronto

11st 9lb

J: James Best

T: Brian Barr

Keen-going sort; two novice wins last spring but little impact in four handicaps since; continues to slide down the weights and may revive on good ground at some stage.

25/1

OUR TIP

Form: /653-8 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 12st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Ex-French 4yo; shaped with significant promise in good-quality juvenile hurdle on British debut in February and his 57l defeat at Ascot in October came in a valuable handicap; drops significantly in grade and remains very unexposed; needs to be taken very seriously.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

15th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Tanganyika

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Up in class and up in trip (by some way) having never gone beyond an extended 3m; however, he's got low mileage as a chaser and won eased down last time at Carlisle (good to soft); handicapper saw fit to raise him 9lb for that but if his stamina reserves can stretch this far then he might not be far away.

8/1

1st

4

17th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 110y

Class 3

14:50 Carlisle

Tanganyika

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Four-time hurdle winner (heavy/good to soft; including here) who scored at Market Rasen (3m, good to soft) a fortnight ago on his third chase start; led close home having been outpaced and today's stiffer test should be right up his street; firmly in calculations up 4lb.

3/1

1st

1

4th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

15:45 Market Rasen

Tanganyika

12st 1lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

prominent, outpaced before 3 out, ridden and rallied after 2 out, good jump last, led final 110yds, kept on well

7/2

Form: 19-14 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Prevailed in sprint finish to win on hurdling debut at Market Rasen (2m, good to soft) in October and wasn't discredited when fourth of five in good race at Wetherby (2m, good) later that month; could easily have more to offer in handicaps; no surprise if he features.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

4

29th Dec 2022

Good

2m 0f 128y

Class 4

15:40 Doncaster

Kracka Nut

11st 11lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Bumper winner who made a winning debut over hurdles in a first-time tongue tie at Market Rasen in October (2m, good to soft); not disgraced in a stronger race at Wetherby last time (2m, good); a possible on handicap debut.

5/1

2

6th Dec 2022

Good To Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

14:25 Uttoxeter

Kracka Nut

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Prevailed in sprint finish to win on hurdling debut at Market Rasen (2m, good to soft) in October and wasn't discredited when fourth of five in good race at Wetherby (2m, good) later that month; could easily have more to offer in handicaps; no surprise if he features.

7/1

4th

2

12th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:28 Wetherby

Kracka Nut

11st 5lb

J: Bridget Andrews

T: Dan Skelton

raced freely, towards rear, pushed along before 2 out, soon weakened

7/2

Form: 7/370-

Last run: 232 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Placed in an Irish bumper in January; absent since down-the-field finish in slow-ground handicap hurdle in April (sold for £28,000 soon afterwards) but well worth a glance in the betting before today's stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

6th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 54y

Class 4

16:25 Warwick

Fiston De Becon

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Dual hurdle winner who made it 2-5 over fences when completing a double at Hereford (2m, good to soft) last month; that was a three-runner race but he forged clear to beat a well-backed rival from the Nicholls yard and is open to more progress; big player.

11/8

1st

1

6th May 2024

Good

2m 0f 54y

Class 4

16:25 Warwick

Fiston De Becon

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Dual hurdle winner who made it 2-5 over fences when completing a double at Hereford (2m, good to soft) last month; that was a three-runner race but he forged clear to beat a well-backed rival from the Nicholls yard and is open to more progress; big player.

11/8

1st

3

14th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 0f 8y

Class 4

13:47 Hereford

Fiston De Becon

11st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Justified favouritism in four-runner field at Southwell (2m, soft; off 4lb lower) last month, opening his chase account at the fourth attempt; may build on that win and warrants respect.

6/4

Form: 222643 CD

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Won five times (twice over C&D) on good ground in 2021 and has been consistent in defeat this year; her current mark is workable but any lingering juice in the ground will reduce her appeal, and she's against some unexposed ones today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

15th Oct 2024

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 4

15:05 Market Rasen

Pillar Of Steel

11st 4lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Henry Oliver

midfield, some headway when not fluent 2 out, weakened from last

7/1

3rd

3

7th Sep 2024

Good

2m 0f 70y

Class 4

17:50 Stratford

Pillar Of Steel

11st 13lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Henry Oliver

prominent

7/1

6th

10

28th Jul 2024

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

17:25 Uttoxeter

Pillar Of Steel

11st 3lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Henry Oliver

Back down the weights when reviving to win at Market Rasen (2m1f, good) three weeks ago; back up 3lb today but strung together some solid efforts once she hit form last year, so another bold show looks likely.

6/1

Form: 1-

Last run: 288 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Joined Donald McCain after Irish point win a year ago and kept on strongly to win Carlisle maiden hurdle (2m1f, heavy) on rules debut in February; not seen again since and not obviously well treated for today's handicap debut but his potential is his big selling point.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

15th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 97y

Class 3

15:50 Haydock

Gold Emery

10st 9lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

All starts on softer than good; no win from 16 attempts over fences but runner-up in seven, including off this mark when he tried an extended 3m6f in the North Wales National at Bangor on penultimate start; ran creditably over 3m7f at Chepstow latest, so has place claims again but he does not look the percentage call for win purposes.

9/1

3rd

2

26th Mar 2026

Good

3m 6f 136y

Class 4

15:50 Chepstow

Gold Emery

11st 10lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

All starts on softer than good; no win from 15 attempts over fences but runner-up in seven, including off this mark when he tried an extended 3m6f in the North Wales National at Bangor last time; probably the most likely to give his running and get seriously involved.

9/2

2nd

9

25th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 5f 142y

Class 4

16:00 Bangor-on-Dee

Gold Emery

11st 2lb

J: Theo Gillard

T: Donald McCain

A runner-up on six occasions over fences but 0-14 in this discipline and came up short in a veterans' chase a month ago (3m1f); looks vulnerable.

10/1

Form: 12545- CD

Last run: 229 days

W: 10st 11lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Ended last season with a below-par run in April and is not getting any younger but won this race after a layoff a year ago (soft ground) and defends his crown from a 5lb lower mark; can't be ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

9th May 2023

Good

2m 5f 44y

Class 5

14:40 Fakenham

Ben Brody

10st 5lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: D J Jeffreys

Regressive teenager; on a good mark but hasn't been running well enough to suggest he can take this.

16/1

3rd

5

4th Apr 2023

Heavy

2m 1f 165y

Class 4

14:30 Fontwell

Ben Brody

10st 2lb

J: Max Kendrick

T: D J Jeffreys

led, not fluent 3rd, not fluent 6th, mistake 8th

12/1

4th

4

22nd Mar 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:25 Ffos Las

Ben Brody

11st 3lb

J: Max Kendrick

T: D J Jeffreys

raced in second, pressed leader 6th

20/1

Non-runners

Kracka Nut, Pillar Of Steel, Gold Emery

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £16.50
Straight Forecast £16.85
Tricast £212.06
Trifecta £174.60

Selections

RP Ratings:

Begin The Luck

The Times:

Gold Emery

The Sun:

Kracka Nut

SPOTLIGHT:

Tanganyika

D Express:

Fiston De Becon

TOPSPEED:

Opening Bid

POSTDATA:

Begin The Luck

WEST COUNTRY:

Begin The Luck

Daily Mail:

Begin The Luck

Daily Mirror:

Begin The Luck

Daily Record:

Begin The Luck

Telegraph:

Gold Emery

The Guardian:

Gold Emery

The Star:

Gold Emery