December 10 / 14.42 Uttoxeter

14.42

Soft

Homeserve Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £4066.37
  • 1m 7f 168y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
SKY
View Course
Homeserve Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

OUR TIP

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £7.50
  • Place: £1.90

Form: /33-42

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Made the frame in all three bumpers last season and on both hurdling starts this term, more recently when second of four in valuable race at Ludlow (2m5f, good) last month; probably needs to improve to make a winning handicap debut but has potential, and today's trip-and-ground combination should also suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

9

15th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 3

18:20 Aintree

Lightningupourdays

10st 8lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Alastair Ralph

Lightly raced 7yo whose form has substance and it was a good handicap at Hereford in which he was third in December; went off favourite in a big field at Ascot in February but never gave his running; could be interesting back from a break.

7/1

13th

13

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 3f 63y

Class 2

14:25 Ascot

Lightningupourdays

10st 4lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Alastair Ralph

Lightly raced 7yo whose form has substance; solid third, behind subsequent scorers, at Hereford (2m3f, soft) in sole run this term; particularly unexposed at this trip and looks interesting off a low weight.

5/1

6/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 54-34

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Displayed clear promise when making the frame in all three qualifying races, the last twice in today's headgear combination for new stable this autumn; his tendency to race too freely is a worry but he seems versatile regarding ground and is open to improvement in handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 0f 110y

Class 3

14:20 Ayr

The Grafter

11st 6lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Sam England

Built upon his hurdling promise to win on chase/seasonal debut at Newcastle (2m, heavy) in January and he followed up there (2m, good to soft) in February; climbing the weights but this unexposed 7yo had something to spare for both wins and may well have more left in the tank.

100/30

1st

2

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

14:10 Newcastle

The Grafter

11st 12lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Runner-up in four handicap hurdles last season; heavy ground could have been a factor in him showing improved form on his successful chase debut over C&D last month, though was well backed prior to comfortably repelling Spadestep; 9lb worse off with the runner-up but clearly open to further improvement.

11/4

1st

4

27th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

13:50 Newcastle

The Grafter

11st 2lb

J: Jonathan England

T: Sam England

Maiden; runner-up in four handicap hurdles last season; has no easy task on chase debut having been off for 278 days.

8/1

14/1

  • Place: £4.10

Form: P4-6U8 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Won twice over fences last season but ended that campaign with two poor runs and has also been out of form over hurdles this autumn; on a tempting mark and suited by slow ground but needs to stop the rot.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

28th Jun 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

17:20 Uttoxeter

Gardener

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

10yo who had two wins at Hexham (soft/good) this spring before a backward step when bidding to complete his hat-trick over that 2m4f; ridden by Charlie Maggs on last four starts; each-way candidate.

6/1

5th

11

9th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 28y

Class 3

17:42 Hexham

Gardener

10st 6lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Bidding for a C&D hat-trick having won here on last two starts (soft/good); has gone up 9lb but has run well off much higher marks in the past; could go well.

6/1

1st

3

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 28y

Class 5

16:30 Hexham

Gardener

11st 12lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Mike Sowersby

Five races for his new trainer and back on track, following three third places with a tenacious C&D win (soft) under Charlie Maggs in 14-runner race 19 days ago; back up 4lb but one to consider seriously.

100/30

Form: 3/333- D

Last run: 364 days

W: 10st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Largely consistent over hurdles in 2023 and now 2lb lower than when dead-heating at Exeter (2m, good) in March of that year; also suited by slow ground but has fitness to prove after 12-month absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 1f 77y

Class 5

16:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Port Or Starboard

10st 8lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Placed lots of times over hurdles but won only once in 24 attempts; hasn't been close to his best this season and he's not bred for fences.

16/1

4th

5

4th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

16:28 Sedgefield

Port Or Starboard

10st 12lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Just 1-23 over hurdles, the win gained in 2023; out of form at around 2m this season but this longer trip might suit him better now and he has slipped to a very good mark; worth a glance in the betting.

14/1

Form: /4147- D

Last run: 260 days

W: 12st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Absent since disappointing handicap debut in March (2m4f) but looked quite promising when winning Wetherby maiden (2m, soft) in January and remains very lightly raced; can't be ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

9th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 133y

Class 5

15:55 Hexham

Sao Carlos

10st 13lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Ex-Olly Murphy; well handicapped on his hurdles form, but hasn't shown much in three runs over fences; pulled up over hurdles on first run back after wind surgery last time; hard to fancy.

33/1

6

23rd Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 47y

Class 5

16:40 Perth

Sao Carlos

11st 4lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Well handicapped on form as recent as last February for Olly Murphy but he's struggled this season and hopes are pinned on the wind operation prompting a dramatic revival.

50/1

4

14th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

14:15 Newcastle

Sao Carlos

11st 1lb

J: Sean Quinlan

T: Lizzie Quinlan

Won a bumper and a maiden hurdle for Olly Murphy through the formative stages of career; poor (0-2) over fences for that trainer, and yet to hint at revival over hurdles since joining new trainer (0-3); mark in freefall; one of the least likely candidates.

50/1

Form: 3312

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Kept on well to win Sedgefield maiden in October, his third hurdling start, and probably bettered that performance when second to a next-time-out winner on last month's handicap debut at Carlisle (also 2m1f, good to soft); open to further progress; good chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

12th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

16:40 Southwell

Strictly Tango

12st 1lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

held up in rear, in touch with leaders when hit 9th, outpaced after 3 out, rallied home turn, keeping on when fell heavily 2 out

9/2

1

12th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

16:40 Southwell

Strictly Tango

12st 1lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

held up in rear, in touch with leaders when hit 9th, outpaced after 3 out, rallied home turn, keeping on when fell heavily 2 out

9/2

6th

5

10th Dec 2024

Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

14:42 Uttoxeter

Strictly Tango

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

led, not fluent 4th, headed before 5 out, not fluent 3 out, weakened from 2 out

5/2

Form: 236734 D

Last run: 60 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Three-time Flat winner in Ireland; had modest 1-22 strike-rate over jumps for Gavin Cromwell and was sold for £6,500 after finishing fourth in a beginners' chase last month but is versatile ground-wise and makes his stable debut from a workable hurdle mark; market may guide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

10th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 70y

Class 3

15:20 Stratford

Mister Wilson

11st 2lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Kerry Lee

pulled hard, soon prominent, weakened quickly after 3 out, soon pulled up

33/1

8th

4

10th Dec 2024

Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

14:42 Uttoxeter

Mister Wilson

11st 11lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Kerry Lee

took keen hold, towards rear, weakened from 3 out, tailed off

12/1

8th

4

10th Dec 2024

Soft

1m 7f 168y

Class 4

14:42 Uttoxeter

Mister Wilson

11st 11lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Kerry Lee

took keen hold, towards rear, weakened from 3 out, tailed off

12/1

Form: 2-324

Last run: 47 days

W: 11st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Placed in all three qualifying runs before staying on for fourth in what looked a fairly competitive Carlisle handicap (2m1f, good to soft) on latest outing in October; should be fine on today's slower ground and probably still has more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

25th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

14:40 Hereford

Don Virginia

11st 0lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo O’Neill

£32,000 2yo; dam French 2m1f hurdle winner, half-sister to several winners notably Viking Blond (useful 2m7f-3m hurdle/chase); major yard; interesting newcomer.

8/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £41.30
Straight Forecast £48.48
Tricast £851.02
Trifecta £479.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Strictly Tango

POSTDATA:

Don Virginia

The Times:

The Grafter

Daily Mail:

Sao Carlos

TOPSPEED:

Port Or Starboard

WEST COUNTRY:

Don Virginia

RP RATINGS:

Strictly Tango

Telegraph:

Strictly Tango

The Guardian:

Strictly Tango

Daily Mirror:

Strictly Tango

The Sun:

Strictly Tango

Daily Record:

Strictly Tango

The Star:

The Grafter

D Express:

Sao Carlos