15.00 - First of the big races at Uttoxeter and really it's just a case of trying to find the best handicapped. Kloud Gate I want to oppose not only at the prices but the fact his improvement has come about since the visor has been fitted, how much more improvement can he find under with a visor on? Sebastopol is very talented and super consistent in these races. Consistency however comes with an unrelenting handicapper whose grip he cannot escape and looks firmly in it now. STARSKY is very interesting for team Skelton. Unexposed at these trips still and looks targeted at this race. He had an amateur taking off 7lbs last time so it looks like the handicapper has potentially been more lenient with his new mark. Harry takes over with hos brothers horses going very well and they do very well at this track. Had 2nd place in the only other edition of this race. Huge player. South terrace hasn't jumped well enough so far and looks like he needs fences. Asokastar is in good form but as a 13yo might not have much left. Justatenner has been a great servant and has a good strike rate, I just wonder wether he wants it a bit softer than this for his ideal conditions. Nothing on breeding and pedigree suggests Ernesto wants this far, would definitely need the ground to keep drying out. Some Day Soon should stay this far, is related to 2m5f winners and 3m2f winner. Carried top weight, won’t be easy. My 2nd selection in this race will be BALLON ONABUDGET. Definitely needs this better ground, wasn’t suited by very deep ground lto. Got dropped 2lbs for that run however which now puts him back to his last winning mark. Appeared to retain plenty of ability before that poor run lto so I think he’s well handicapped again. This trip isn’t an issue, he stays further but has also won over less. Comes good in the summer months and should be bang there for yard who enjoyed a very good winter.

 

15.35 - For this race I’ll be siding with a pair of course winners. MINELLACELEBRATION and BACKONTHELASH. Minellacelebration won this last year off just 3lbs lower. Has shown a return to form the last twice but handicapper has been relenting making his handicap mark attractive again. Faces Solomon Grey again but gives a lot less weight to that rival this time. 4 time course winner including over this far so trip won’t be an issue. Conditions to suit, should go well again here. BACKONTHELASH is a rapidly improving chaser after proving himself at this level over hurdles. 2-3 over fences the last of which was here lto over 2m6f which he stayed very well. Related to 3m2f hurdle winner he should improve again for this new trip. Will need to improve again as this is his first time in a handicap chase but I think he carries a bit of class with him and could easily be much better than this. Yard are flying. would be concerned over Locks Corner getting this trip and yard struggling. This looks much tougher than them Perth races for LandOfSmiles. The trip is a concern for TopOfTheCotswolds.

 

Bets;

15.00 - Starsky 7/1 0.5EW Skybet 5places

Ballon Onabudget 9/1 0.5EW Skybet 5places

 

15.35 - Backonthelash 9/1 0.5EW Skybet 5places

Minellcelebration 10/1 0.5EW Skybet 5places