January 27 / 12.48 Uttoxeter

12.48

Heavy

Brit Direct Conditional Jockeys’ Training Series Handicap Hurdle (Racing Excellence Initiative)

  • Prize money: £3247.81
  • 1m 7f 168y
  • Class 5
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Brit Direct Conditional Jockeys’ Training Series Handicap Hurdle (Racing Excellence Initiative)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.50
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 4222 BF

Last run: 36 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Progressive 6yo who went close on his handicap debut at Newcastle (2m4f, heavy) last month and he backed that up with another creditable second here (2m6f, heavy) eight days later; now drops to 2m for the first time but his penultimate run was under a prominent ride and he still looks feasibly treated; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 20y

Class 2

15:10 Perth

Classic Maestro

10st 13lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Jennie Candlish

Good second at Sandown (1m7f, soft) in January and ran well before fading into 14 third at Ayr (2m4f, soft) last month; however, his best form has come on soft/heavy ground and such conditions seem unlikely today.

15/2

3rd

2

7th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 3

15:55 Ayr

Classic Maestro

11st 11lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Jennie Candlish

Predictably struggled in Grade 1 Ascot Chase three weeks ago but looked as good as ever when second in good Sandown handicap (1m7f, soft) two starts ago and will be fine over today's trip; good chance.

9/4

9/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 4667-7 D

Last run: 93 days

W: 11st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
0-5 over hurdles but was prominent for a long way when a respectable seventh of 19 at Carlisle (2m4f, soft; tongue-tie added) in October; returns after another break but this drop back in trip could help and he's not ruled out off a sliding mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 1f 77y

Class 5

16:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Copper Cove

11st 7lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Dominic Elsworth

Bumper/hurdle winner who goes well on slow ground; he returned to fences at Hereford two weeks ago and looked booked for second when falling late on; has a chance off 1lb lower.

11/4

2

11th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 194y

Class 5

16:00 Hereford

Copper Cove

11st 13lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Dominic Elsworth

Mud lover who suffered big defeats both starts over fences for Jonjo O'Neill; couldn't land a gamble on his fourth outing for this yard when second of eight over hurdles at Ffos Las (2m, heavy) last month; suitability for chasing and this trip unproven but weighted to be competitive.

3/1

7/1

  • Place: £2.20

Form: 664235

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Placed in three of his seven starts over hurdles but he's not really progressed in this sphere and was only fifth of ten in a similar race at Plumpton (2m, good to soft) last time; others look stronger.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:32 Worcester

Atreides

10st 10lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Neil Mulholland

Off the mark at the 22nd attempt in a Plumpton chase (2m4f, good to soft; first-time tongue-tie and visor) last December; avoided a penalty and successfully followed up at Fontwell (2m3f, heavy); matched that effort at Wincanton (2m4f, heavy) latest; acts on good; each-way player.

4/1

2nd

4

29th Jan 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 35y

Class 4

14:03 Wincanton

Atreides

11st 10lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Neil Mulholland

Excelled since swapping usual cheekpieces for a visor, winning at Plumpton (2m4f, good to soft) and Fontwell (2m3f, heavy; 8lb lower); departed early here on Boxing Day when 100-30 to bring up his hat-trick; has to be feared.

9/4

2nd

5

26th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 135y

Class 5

15:47 Fontwell

Atreides

11st 7lb

T: Neil Mulholland

0-19 but respectable efforts the last twice, beaten about 5l here over 2m3f and a bit further at Southwell (2m4f); still early days over fences and there's a race in him off this mark.

9/2

OUR TIP

Form: 315-76 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Made all in a mares' handicap at Leicester (1m7f, soft) last February but she's had only three runs since and has been well held in all of them; drops back in trip/grade after her sixth at Wincanton two weeks ago but she's still 3lb higher than for that last win and others are more persuasive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

5th Jun 2024

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 5

15:10 Newton Abbot

Heure De Gloire

11st 9lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Has done her winning at about 2m, latest at Ffos Las in February; soundly beaten on last four starts, with moves back up to about 2m4f/3m for last three; her one piece of 3m form was back in January 2022 but she is back 4lb lower than her last winning mark.

14/1

6th

6

15th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

16:00 Ffos Las

Heure De Gloire

11st 8lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Placed over 3m early in career but has done her winning at about 2m, including twice at Ffos Las; modest fourth over 2m4f here most recently; bit to prove back up further in trip.

14/1

6th

6

15th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

16:00 Ffos Las

Heure De Gloire

11st 8lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Placed over 3m early in career but has done her winning at about 2m, including twice at Ffos Las; modest fourth over 2m4f here most recently; bit to prove back up further in trip.

14/1

Form: /P2/P9

Last run: 44 days

W: 10st 9lb

13 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Veteran who has struggled in both runs (2m3f/3m) for his new yard since returning from a long absence in November; mark is falling but hard to know how much ability remains and is not hard to look elsewhere; cheekpieces back on
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

7th Feb 2024

Soft

3m 3f 9y

Class 5

16:40 Sedgefield

Be My Sea

10st 10lb

J: Kai Lenihan

T: Daniel Bourne

Returned from long absence with two low-key runs for new stable in the autumn but last month's Uttoxeter fifth (2m, heavy) in refitted cheekpieces was much more encouraging; twice a winner over 2m7f for previous trainer and has travelled from South Wales to tackle this marathon trip; interesting.

20/1

5th

10

27th Jan 2024

Heavy

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

12:48 Uttoxeter

Be My Sea

10st 9lb

J: Kai Lenihan

T: Daniel Bourne

prominent, weakened before 3 out

66/1

Form: 5-3514 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 12st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Returned to hurdling with a 28-1 win over C&D (heavy) last month and he wasn't beaten far in a Class 4 event at Catterick (1m7f, soft) two weeks ago; still has potential in this sphere and he's in the mix on this drop back in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

5th Sep 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

19:00 Worcester

Present Fair

11st 10lb

J: Dylan White

T: Donald McCain

Two wins and a second from five starts since April but he's not the easiest to predict and there have also been a couple of heavy defeats, including when coming home 65l adrift at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) last time; will need to be on a going day.

8/1

10th

2

27th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 5

16:37 Uttoxeter

Present Fair

11st 13lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Heavy-ground winner here in late 2023 and this year has added two Bangor handicaps on good to soft and good; only 4lb higher than for the latest (by a length) and the front two were clear.

7/2

1st

3

4th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 32y

Class 5

17:56 Bangor-on-Dee

Present Fair

11st 9lb

J: William Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Scored over 2m3f here (good to soft) in April and was close second at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) the following month; disappointed when last in action but, if back on song, could plausibly have untapped potential over today's longer trip.

7/1

11/4

Form: 4/5121 D

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Won over hurdles at Newton Abbot (2m2f, soft) in his second run after a long absence and he's done well back over fences in his two runs since; 6lb higher than for his Lingfield win (2m, good to soft) last month but he raised his form to a new level with that comfortable success and is a big player again back in this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

16:28 Hexham

Foxey

11st 6lb

J: Mr John Dawson

T: Paul Collins

prominent, weakened quickly from 2 out, lost touch before last, eased run-in

20/1

6th

3

3rd May 2025

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

16:28 Hexham

Foxey

11st 6lb

J: Mr John Dawson

T: Paul Collins

prominent

20/1

3

14th Apr 2025

Good

1m 7f 133y

Class 4

14:48 Hexham

Foxey

11st 12lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Paul Collins

prominent, bad mistake 1st, soon eased and pulled up

25/1

Form: 8-840

Last run: 37 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in his sole point (2m4f, soft) last March but he's been well held in four runs under rules since; still early days and this is more realistic on his handicap debut but he needs a transformation.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

13th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

16:40 Chepstow

Inebranlable

11st 6lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Ben Clarke

Showed only minor promise in his qualifying runs and was well beaten (albeit on heavy ground) when switched to a handicap at Uttoxeter (2m) in January; moves back up in trip here; significant improvement needed.

25/1

9th

8

13th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

16:40 Chepstow

Inebranlable

11st 6lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Ben Clarke

Showed only minor promise in his qualifying runs and was well beaten (albeit on heavy ground) when switched to a handicap at Uttoxeter (2m) in January; moves back up in trip here; significant improvement needed.

25/1

8th

8

27th Jan 2024

Heavy

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

12:48 Uttoxeter

Inebranlable

11st 5lb

J: Elizabeth Gale

T: Ben Clarke

midfield, weakened after 6th

10/1

Form: 30-256 D

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Slow-ground bumper winner, who is unexposed over hurdles and has shown some promise in this sphere including when runner-up at Stratford (2m, good); looks on a workable mark for this handicap debut and he needs a close look in the market.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

13

15th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 87y

Class 3

16:00 Cheltenham

Shinji

10st 12lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Martin Keighley

Came good over hurdles in low-grade Southwell handicap (2m, good) in June and has remained in good nick since (2m-2m5f) but others in this line-up have stronger form and/or more potential.

25/1

14th

13

15th Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 87y

Class 3

16:00 Cheltenham

Shinji

10st 12lb

J: Daire McConville

T: Martin Keighley

Came good over hurdles in low-grade Southwell handicap (2m, good) in June and has remained in good nick since (2m-2m5f) but others in this line-up have stronger form and/or more potential.

25/1

5th

7

7th Nov 2024

Good

2m 5f 55y

Class 4

12:40 Ludlow

Shinji

11st 2lb

J: Mr Freddie Keighley

T: Martin Keighley

Southwell winner in June (2m, good) but was no match for Parikarma next time and again wasn't at his best when a beaten favourite at Perth; cheekpieces are replaced by a hood that hasn't done wonders for him previously; stamina to prove over this far.

15/2

Form: 5346-P

Last run: 38 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Well held on his handicap/chase debut at Ayr last October and he returned from a lengthy absence with a pulled-up effort back over hurdles there (2m2f, soft) last month; record now stands at 0-8 and he has plenty to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

8th Mar 2025

Soft

3m 0f 70y

Class 5

16:35 Ayr

Toucan Sam

10st 8lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Andrew Hamilton

His mark continues to fall but this 7yo remains a maiden after 21 rules starts and recent evidence doesn't indicate a win is imminent.

25/1

10

19th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 84y

Class 5

15:20 Doncaster

Toucan Sam

11st 2lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Andrew Hamilton

Made it 0-20 under rules when pulled up over fences at Ayr last week; however, before that he posted two fair runs over hurdles (2m5f/2m) and shaped as though he would benefit from this longer trip; well treated on last spring's chase form; could appreciate the return to hurdling; interesting.

33/1

9

11th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 5

16:20 Ayr

Toucan Sam

10st 13lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Andrew Hamilton

19-race maiden; placed in handicap, a couple of hunter chases and in two points last year; two fair runs over hurdles this term after wind surgery; well handicapped but others appeal more.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £16.60
Straight Forecast £16.66
Tricast £67.69
Trifecta £88.00

Selections

The Times:

Classic Maestro

SPOTLIGHT:

Foxey

TOPSPEED:

Atreides

RP RATINGS:

Shinji

POSTDATA:

Present Fair

The Guardian:

Heure De Gloire

D Express:

Atreides

Telegraph:

Classic Maestro

Daily Mail:

Classic Maestro

Daily Mirror:

Classic Maestro

The Sun:

Classic Maestro

The Star:

Foxey

Daily Record:

Foxey