Uttoxeter - Sunday 26th July 2026
VIETNORM struck twice on the level in May before winning impressively on his hurdling bow at Market Rasen. Things didn't work out back on the Flat next time, but he's got bags of scope for improvement in this discipline and is fancied to defy the 7lb penalty on this occasion. Salkadan is an interesting recruit to hurdling for the Skelton team, whilst others to note include Keep Under Wraps and Zooter.
LADY FORTUNE powered clear to score over C&D under Isabelle Ryder recently and Barry Brennan's mare looks worth keeping on side as she bids to defy a subsequent 8lb rise. Prettylady's hat-trick bid fell flat at Bangor but it could have been that a small-field scenario didn't suit so it would come as no surprise were she to bounce back. No Risk Today and Culligran are others to consider.
DROMBEG LAD broke his hurdling duck impressively at Worcester and now goes handicapping with the potential to find bags of improvement. A few of these have questions to answer, so he might not need to find much more to double up on this occasion. Emerald Time failed to back up his Worcester triumph but remains of interest, as does Bright Legend, who will find this easier than the Punchestown Festival handicap he contested in April.
Imperial Alex beat Grand Clermont (fourth) to win the Summer Cup over track and trip last month and is expected to uphold that form in his bid for a hat-trick. The Flying Poet struck by three lengths to make it three wins from his last four starts at Perth and is now worth his place at this level, but it's SUNRAY SHADOW who appeals most. The rapidly improving son of Blue Bresil accounted for Sony Bill (third) by 11 lengths when successful over C&D earlier this month and can continue his rise in the ranks.
Karnaval Point made it two wins from three appearances over fences for the David Pipe stable and has to be considered back over hurdles, but it may pay to side with PADDY DE POLE. Paul Nicholls' charge returned to action to fill the runner-up spot over 2m4f at Worcester and is likely to appreciate this step back up in distance. Tyson and Shallow River appear best of the remainder.
Country Park won by half a length in this grade at Bangor on his latest outing and he should mount another bold bid, while Lakefield Flyer is a player based on his Stratford triumph two starts ago. However, AT THE OCHE is the choice of Harry Skelton out of the trio of Dan Skelton runners and the son of Ocovango makes his first appearance for the yard after undergoing a wind operation. With that in mind, it would be no surprise to see him make a winning chase debut.
Royal Rocket had been improving until posting a below-par effort over 2m7f at Market Rasen last month and may bounce back over this shorter trip on his handicap bow. However, preference is for JAFIMGOSO, who should also be suited by cutting back in distance and has to potential to improve with first-time cheekpieces added. Purple Owl tries the same headgear combined with a tongue-tie and is another to bear in mind.
FISKARDO has bags of scope and is fancied to build on two placed efforts to get off the mark at the third time of asking over hurdles. The son of Sholokhov debuts in a handicap off a potentially workable rating, with his chance boosted further by the promising Shane Fenelon claiming 5lb once again. Uhtred Ragnarson drops in class and must be feared at this level, while The Secret Pearl and October Hill are options for each-way players.
VIETNORM can defy a penalty. He's been in excellent form in both codes and he had excuses when his winning run ended last time. The fast ground can help him see off Keep Under Wraps who was throwing down a big challenge when departing on debut. It is a concern that he showed signs of a temperament but he still looks a big threat along with Salkadan. The Flat winner should have much more to offer his top stable in this discipline following a wind op.
The consistent CULLIGRAN can make a winning return to hurdling. She was just out-battled late by a stronger stayer over 2 1/2m over fences last time and is only 2lb higher here while the quick ground will suit. Curious Mrs Fox is yet to match her maiden form but she hinted at better last time when finishing well from a poor position off a steady pace. The stiff track here will suit and she can fill the places with the steadily progressive C&D winner Lady Fortune who is a strong stayer at the trip.
ICE JET was a touch unlucky not to extend the winning sequence on his chase debut but can make amends on his hurdles return. He's gone up another 4lb but still looks ahead of his mark and the stiff track will help over this shorter trip. C&D winner Diesel Line has been struggling this term but the handicapper has relented and he has a top jockey booked so a revival is possible. The steadily progressive Emerald Time is open to further improvement if brushing up on his jumping and should also be bang there.
SUNRAY SHADOW can preserve his unbeaten record over fences. He's been progressing rapidly since being upped to staying trips and still looks ahead of his mark despite a 4lb rise. Bottom weight The Flying Poet is another who has been improving over fences and he had plenty in hand when making it 2-3 in this discipline last time. He's entitled to come on for that first run after a wind op so looks the obvious danger. Hold Your Fort is at his best when dominating and doesn't face too much competition up front here. He will be dangerous if allowed to dictate off a reduced mark.
IDAHO FIRE is only 7lb higher than when making a winning handicap debut last time and is selected to follow up. He beat a next time out winner last time while shaping as if staying trips could deliver more. Shallow River caught the eye last time when short of room late while closing. The winner that day has franked the form and he is well treated on his old form prior to his lay off so looks a big player. Karnaval Point has been in excellent form for his new yard after a move from France and is potentially thrown in on chase form so also rates a threat.
Point winner COUNTRY PARK finally registered a victory under rules last time and may have a bit more to offer now he's had his head in front. He's only gone up 1lb so remains well treated on his hurdle form and the way he rallied near the finish suggests that this stiffer track will suit. Ras Kassar went too fast on his recent stable debut but is dangerously well treated on his French form. He could provide the main challenge ahead of chase debutant At The Oche. That rival has been in good form over hurdles recently and should have more to offer his top stable in this discipline.
ROYAL ROCKET is forgiven his latest outing where he failed to stay 3m and is better judged on his previous runner up effort which has been boosted. Dropping back to a suitable distance he can take advantage of a lenient opening mark under Cobden at the chief expense of Jafimgoso. He's another who will appreciate the drop in trip having been outstayed over 3 1/4m last time and he has been progressive since returning from a lay off this spring. Purple Owl has returned to form in maidens of late and should appreciate this slightly stiffer test so also rates a threat in first time cheekpieces.
FISKARDO can make a winning handicap debut off what looks a lenient mark judged on her debut runner up effort. The bumper winner was disappointing last time but he shaped as if in need of this longer trip that day so should quickly bounce back. Uhtred Ragnarson hasn't always looked the easiest ride but he's generally been in good form since shedding his maiden tag in the autumn. He can provide the main challenge along with the unexposed Sonyourastar who may ideally want further in time so would benefit from a stiff test.
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