1:10 – Petrucci 12/1 E/W
Returns to his last winning mark of 88; like today, that victory came off the back of a break. He was very well backed that day; 25s into 6s.
He was a strong favourite on his next start where he disappointed but that was only 7 days after his win so he could’ve bounced after being off the track for 489 days before that.
Excuses can be found for each of his four subsequent runs. Down the field in a deep 0-110 conditionals novice handicap hurdle at Ludlow, he was running a good race but he was running a good race before getting bumped twice on the turn for home which didn’t help.
His next two starts came over fences but he didn’t take to chasing, while his final start came on unsuitably soft ground.
However, the return to quick ground today is sure to suit and Tom Bellamy is back on board like he was for his win. He’s ridden him three times: for his well backed win, when he was strong favourite on his next start and then when he was 2nd favourite at Hereford. His presence appears to be a signal of intent.
The stable have been ticking along nicely since racing’s resumption, with 1 win and 2 placed from 7 runners since the start of July. Incidentally, the winner was ridden by Tom Bellamy.
He’s unexposed at 3 miles and while I don’t think he’s an out and out stayer at this trip, Uttoxeter on good ground represents more of a test of speed at the trip which will aid his cause.
In a weak race, he can make his presence felt. Market support would be encouraging given he was well backed when winning last time.
1:40 – Wherewouldugetit 25/1 E/W
This is a very weak race. Dan Skelton’s horse will be the favourite on sufferance in part due to his 3rd at Newton Abbot earlier in the month. Watching Brief hasn’t won in 22 attempts under rules; him being 2nd favourite speaks volumes about this contest.
Hence, I’ve looked outside the box and comedown on big priced outside, Wherewouldugetit
Bought for £90k after winning an irish PTP under Derek O’Connor in November 2018, he beat Grey Getaway (now with Paul Nicholls), Word Has It (Donald McCain), Chazza (winner for Kim Bailey) that day so the form is solid, although we know that point form doesn’t necessarily translate under rules.
He went to Andrew McNamara to begin his rules career but he was well beaten in a bumper and two maiden hurdles.
He was subsequently sold for just £6.5k and went to Sara Ender’s yard.
His first run for her was promising, despite the margin of defeat being 27 lengths. In rear throughout, he made nice progress under pressure to take 4th on the turn for home. He did get headed close home to finish 5th, but it was still a decent effort. From 1st to 7th, the horses from that race are now rated: 114, 115, 119, 102, 122 & 112. They were off level weights.
Well beaten on his next three starts in handicaps, they were all on soft/heavy ground which doesn’t suit this son of Morozov. She won his point on good, he’s a brother to handicap hurdle winner Walter Oneeightone who preferred good (modest, won off 88) and he’s closely related to the useful Sea Light who won over hurdles and fences for Charles Brynes on good to yielding ground (rated as high as 130)
Both of those relatives were best at 3 miles, so this trip promises to be his optimum.
Sara Ender is 1/1 since racing resumed, winning with new recruit Lord Springfield at Southwell so she can get one ready first time out (and the selections most promising run came FTO for the yard)
Upped to 3 miles on good ground with a lowly mark of 81 (13lb lower than handicap debut), he could stage a revival. This is a very weak race and given that he’s only a 6yo, he can show himself to much better effect here.
overandclear.com 