Left handed, sharp. Although sharp in nature, the track has a reputation for gruelling conditions during the winter, ability to see out the trip being of paramount importance. When the going is on the firm side it often pays to race prominently, especially on the chase course. Fences no more than average in terms of stiffness, many casualties occurring as a result of fatigue in the latter stages. In the last couple of seasons, the number of flights on the hurdles track has been reduced from ten to nine.

Because Uttoxeter is a quick track, it naturally puts a premium on a horse’s ability to travel on the bridle. If you’re already shoving one along with a circuit to go there, you’re going to struggle to win, whether you’re riding over fences or hurdles. Tactically, it’s much the same for both disciplines, and punters shouldn’t be alarmed if they see a jockey going wide down the back straight, because there’s actually a little bit of an ’S’ configuration there and the shortest way is not necessarily on the inside.

View from the saddle: Mick Fitzgerald