Racecards
18:45 Uttoxeter
Guinness Maiden Hurdle (Class 4)
- 14 Runners
- Distance: 2m
- Going: Good, Good to Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- £4,000 added
Aperitif
59- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer D Nicholls
- Jockey B S Hughes
took keen hold, headway to lead approaching 3rd, heading approaching 2 out, hung left flat, one pace
Ayurveda
181- Form 477P-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer Miss K Marks
- Jockey Aidan Coleman
held up towards rear, stayed on from 3 out, never dangerous
- Form PU0PP-5
- Age 7
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer D P Keane
- Jockey Wayne Hutchinson
led until before 3rd, chased leaders until weakening when mistake 7th
Chez Bleu
12- Form 59/7P-7
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer C J Mann
- Jockey N D Fehily
in touch, not fluent 5th, weakened 7th
- Form 22274-2
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 108
in touch, led approaching 2 out, readily
Fine Deed
26- Form 088-7
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey Dave Crosse
held up towards rear, jumped right 5th, headway approaching 3 out, no further progress
- Form 255/0-2
- Age 6
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 106
- Trainer J O'Reilly
- Jockey D Elsworth
mid-division, headway 6th, stayed on same pace from 2 out, not much room on inside rail flat
Loom (GER)
403- Age 5
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer D Pipe
- Jockey T Scudamore
not fluent, pulled hard, always behind
- Form 5F86-33
- Age 5
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 99
- Trainer J R Holt
- Jockey R Thornton
chased leaders, mistake 3 out, soon ridden weakened before 2 out
- Form 27
- Age 5
- Weight 11-3
- Trainer W M Brisbourne
- Jockey L Treadwell
jumped right, always behind
Yo Pedro (IRE)
170- Form 0-
- Age 5
- Weight 11-3
took keen hold, prominent, ridden after 7th, soon weakened
Menkaura
271- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer John R Upson
- Jockey C Poste
keen, not jump well, always behind
Sunbolt (IRE)
314- Age 4
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer J Mackie
- Jockey P Kinsella
mid-division, mistake 5th, behind from next
In depth
Verdict
Plenty of deadwood in this opener and from a shortlist of Cottingham, Prince De Bersy and Loom, the nomination goes to Cottingham. David Pipe's ex-German Loom and ex-French Prince De Bersy both warrant plenty of respect on their British debuts, however one could not back them with absolute confidence. However if the money really comes for one over the other, then it may be time to sit up and take notice. However Cottingham brings a solid level of handicap form to this race and rated 108, he is the highest rated in the field. He has run well on this ground before and can win at the tenth attempt over timber. Aperitif is a very rare Dandy Nicholls jumps runner but once rated in the high 80's, he has been out of form of late. Fuel Cell and Primitive Academy have both shown some ability over hurdles and both have place claims at least, however Cottingham can finally get his head in front now back in maiden company.
Formwatch
Aperitif 10-1 (9-1) Steadied start, took keen hold behind, ridden, in rear 4f out, never a factor, last of 12, 19l behind Blue Sky Thinking (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f app clm (6) pol in Apr (Flat).
Cottingham (IRE) 15-8fav (11-0) Held up, headway when mistake 3 out, hit last, went 2nd flat, no chance of winner, 2nd of 6, 11l behind Pocket Too (9-11) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in May.
Fine Deed 40-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 7th of 14, 49l behind Presentandcorrect (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Fuel Cell (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) In touch, went 2nd after 4th, switched right and effort after 2 out, every chance last, ridden and kept on flat, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Programme Girl (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf.
Loom (GER) (8-11) 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Monet (8-11) at Munich 1m 2f stk sft in May '05 (Flat).
Primitive Academy 8-1 (11-4) Mid-division, blundered 3rd, headway 6th, not fluent 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 3rd of 11, 15l behind Ruby Dante (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in May.
Weet Yer Tern (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Held up, not fluent 1st, headway after 6th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 12, 43l behind Danehill Willy (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gf.
Prince De Bersy (FR) (10-1) 5th of 14, 9l behind Palafre (9-11) at Saint-Malo 1m 4f 3yo stk in Sept (Flat).