Racecards
16:20 Uttoxeter
digibet.com Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Class 4)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Heavy
- Surface: Turf
- £3,800 added
- Winner: £2,469
- 2nd: £725
- 3rd: £363
- 4th: £181
- Form 13-8221
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 118
- Trainer D McCain Jnr
- Jockey J Kington
prominent, not fluent 1st, hit next, pushed along after 6th, one pace and no impression from 3 out
- Form 12F8
- Age 5
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 115
- Trainer A W Carroll
- Jockey Mr R J Kirk
prominent, not fluent 4th, every chance 3 out, weakened approaching last
- Form 166
- Age 8
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 115
led, jumped right, not fluent 2nd, dived at next, edged right and headed when not fluent last, stayed on same pace
- Form 48-46
- Age 6
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 111
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey Harry Skelton
held up in 4th, not fluent 4th, blundered 3 out, soon ridden, weakening when mistake 2 out
Argaum (IRE)
21- Form 121245
- Age 5
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer Evan Williams
- Jockey A Thornton
held up, not fluent 6th, outpaced before 3 out
- Form 2F6-046
- Age 6
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 102
- Trainer Ferdy Murphy
- Jockey Lucy Alexander
held up, headway after 5th, not fluent 3 out, went 2nd before next, led last, stayed on
Verdict
JACKSON CAGE looks to have every chance of following-up his recent win at Carlisle. He's been raised 3lb but there should be plenty more to come on his handicap debut. C&D winner Layla's Dancer also has his first start in a handicap having had little chance in a Grade 2 novices' event at Warwick a fortnight ago, while better is also expected from Wetherby maiden winner King Zeal. Argaum won a fast ground handicap at Bangor last year but is 8lb higher today and Swinging Hawk makes more appeal on only his third start back from a lengthy absence.
Formwatch
Jackson Cage (IRE) 1-3fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, headway on outside approaching 3 out, soon challenged, led next, ridden between last 2, not fluent last, edged left and kept on flat, won at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec beating Highrate (10-9) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Layla's Dancer 40-1 (11-4) Held up, mistake 5th, weakened 8th, tailed off, last of 8, well behind Cotton Mill (11-4) at Warwick 2m 5f nov hdl Grade 2 (1) gs.
King Zeal (IRE) 28-1 (11-5) With leader, lost place when hit 3 out, kept on same pace, no impression from next, 6th of 15, 21l behind Hayjack (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Swinging Hawk (GER) 7-1 (11-5) In rear, headway 7th, chased leader briefly approaching 2 out, weakened last, 6th of 9, 11l behind River Dragon (10-1) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Dec.
Argaum (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Held up, took keen hold, in touch 3 out, weakened before next, 5th of 6, 23l behind Chesil Beach Boy (11-5) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Sophonie (FR) 8-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, weakened 4 out, 6th of 11, 27l behind Zafranagar (11-2) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.