Uttoxeter Saturday

1.50 Jenningsbet 200 Shops Nationwide Handicap Hurdle 2m 3f 207y

Thanksforthehelp has been below form since providing David Pipe with a winner at the Punchestown Festival last term, but he has slipped back to a fair mark as a result and shaped as if on his way back to form when 15 and a quarter lengths fifth of 13 to Champagne Chic at Haydock last month, his run flattening out only late after he’d made smooth progress to track the leaders out wide on home turn.

It’s probable the Pertemps was the main aim for him, but he just missed out on a qualifying spot at Haydock and while this has a hint of Plan B about it, an intermediate distance is almost certainly more suitable than three miles in these conditions and his last two wins have come on yielding ground at this trip, for all he has shown form over further, which in itself is no bad thing given this could turn attritional.

2.25 Jenningsbet Handicap Hurdle 2m 7f 70y

There will be a strong pace in this handicap which ought to benefit the hold-up horses in the field, and I can see Nab Wood outrunning lengthy odds for Nicky Richards.

The son of Court Cave is best under hold-up tactics and on soft ground, with his record on soft over two-miles-five or further being four wins from five starts over hurdles. A disappointing effort at Windsor last time can be put down to the sharp track not suiting him.

He had previously beaten Letos in a Pertemps qualifier at Carlisle and Letos did his bit for the form when finishing fourth in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham on Thursday.

Nab Wood was raised 6lb for the Carlisle win but a look back at the replay reminded me of how easily he scored that day and he remains very fairly treated if Windsor is treated as an aberration. He was a winner at Ayr and Kelso in previous seasons, and I don’t see Uttoxeter as a negative for him. The deeper the ground the more it will suit him.

3.00 Jenningsbet Midlands Grand National Handicap Chase 4m 2f 8y

Emmet Mullins has made a habit of bagging big British handicaps over jumps and has an excellent chance of doing so again with J’Arrive De L’Est, who was too slow to win over hurdles but looks a different proposition granted a test over fences, and he looked just the sort to relish this test when runner-up in a pair of cross-country events at Cheltenham in the winter.

He did particularly well when chasing home Favori De Champdou on Trials Day, losing a shoe and having his saddle slip early but still getting to the front in the latter stages before his exertions told. He’s won similar races in France, but isn’t just a cross-country specialist and can prove the point by winning this marathon. He handles testing going extremely well and is young enough to do better yet for his current connections.

3.35 Jenningsbet Novices’ Handicap Chase 3m 10y

Milcree is taken to give Nicky Richards and Danny McMenamin a double on the day with conditions ideal. A winner of a novices’ handicap on chase debut at Ayr, he saw that form franked by third-placed Jipcot next time and he improved to beat Young Jack at Kelso last time despite the drop to two-miles-five not suiting.

He showed battling qualities to withhold the game runner-up that day and can progress further at three miles or further, looking one for a big handicap next season. This race looks a very suitable stepping stone for him and he’s taken to beat the frustrating Saint Davy, who makes appeal for forecast purposes.

Kempton Saturday

2.08 Virgin Bet Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase 2m 2f

Pure Carbon has bled in the past and can make mistakes, but he’s largely progressive over fences and rallied gamely to win at Musselburgh last time, and is likely to prove ideally suited by good ground in this sphere, so looks a solid proposition in a race his stable won with Teddy Blue last year. Pure Carbon is 3lb higher than when scoring at Musselburgh last time, but he did make a couple of late errors and would have won easily but for those blemishes. I’m confident he can jump better on the forecast ground and he’s taken to follow up and prove himself leniently treated.

2.40 Virgin Bet A Good Bet Handicap Hurdle 2m 5f

Double Powerful was given an opening mark of 83 over hurdles – and it’s hard to believe he was unplaced on his first two handicaps but, dropped to 76, he got off the mark at Fakenham in March 2024 and proceeded to win his next five off the reel.

Life has been tougher since, but Double Powerful showed he could still win handicaps when a fine second to Iberico Lord in the Lanzarote Hurdle over course and distance and he comes here having missed out on the opportunity to run in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham during the week.

Generously dropped 2lb for his latest effort, he looks poised to score again soon and this is much easier than his task would have been at Cheltenham. Best ridden with great patience, he and Richie McLernon look a marriage made in heaven.

3.18 Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Handicap Chase 2m 4f 110y

Ryan’s Rocket was travelling well when unseating his rider in the Desert Orchid Chase here at Christmas and although beating Thistle Ask would have been a tall order, he would surely have gone well. He impressed when winning his previous start off a strong pace at Newbury and should take plenty of beating if jumping around safely here, having been dropped 1lb since his latest run.

Recommended

Thanks For The Help 1.50 Uttoxeter – 1pt win @ 16/1 (Bet365, Ladbrokes, Coral – 4 places)

Nab Wood 2.25 Uttoxeter – 1pt e/w @ 20/1 (Bet365, Paddy Power – 5 places)

J’Arrive De L’Est 3.00 Uttoxeter – 2pts win @ 3/1 (general)

Milcree 3.35 Uttoxeter – 1pt win @ 7/2 (general)

Double Powerful 2.40 Kempton – 2pts win @ 6/1 (Ladbrokes, Coral; 11/2 general)