UK Horse Racing Tips: Uttoxeter

VALGRAND wasn't disgraced when fourth in a Grade 2 bumper at Aintree last month and he now makes his hurdle debut for the Dan Skelton team. The son of Bathyrhon could prove too good for these, with his main threat possibly being Came From Nowhere, who scored in fine style on his debut in a Taunton bumper and he is one to take seriously. Of the remainder, debut third Kap Ouest makes the most appeal in a first-time hood.
Prediction : 1st Valgrand 2nd Came From Nowhere 3rd Kap Ouest

TEXARD hosed up by 21 lengths in a class 5 event over 2m1f at Market Rasen last time and he was hit with a 10lb rise for that success. The son of Kapgarde should have no issues with this step back up in trip and he could prove hard to beat. Lesser disappointed on his handicap bow over the smaller obstacles in January but it will be interesting to see how the dual hurdle winner fares on his chase debut, while Magic Dancer goes off an appealing mark and is another to watch out for.
Prediction : 1st Texard 2nd Lesser 3rd Magic Dancer

Resplendent Grey put in another solid display to hit the crossbar in this grade at Wincanton on his latest outing and he should remain competitive off a 2lb higher rating. However, a chance can be taken on ARAMAX, who failed to fire in a higher grade at Doncaster in March but the ground wasn't in his favour that day, so he is well worth another chance off a 4lb lower rating for the in-form Ben Haslam yard. Ballybegg is another to keep an eye on.
Prediction : 1st Aramax 2nd Resplendent Grey 3rd Ballybegg

FARCEUR DU LARGE appeared to be revitalised by a change of scenery with victories in both the Grand and Royal Military races at Sandown, before not getting home here in the Midlands National on his latest outing. The drop in trip on this occasion gives him every chance to get his head back in front. The hat-trick seeking Imperial Alex faces a 10lb hike for his Wetherby success and is likely to enter calculations, while Ballygrifincottage and Pimlico Point are others worth noting.
Prediction : 1st Farceur Du Large 2nd Imperial Alex 3rd Ballygrifincottage

BLAGTHEBOOKIES showed very little over hurdles in four attempts for Christian Williams in the autumn months. However, the six-year-old recently showcased his wel-lbeing with victory in a point-to-point and might just be the type who runs up a sequence now in the care of Harry Derham. Mister Barclay gained his first win at Exeter last month and is an obvious threat on his chasing bow, with Higgs and Kap Chidley appealing most of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Blagthebookies 2nd Mister Barclay 3rd Higgs

Having benefitted from the extra yardage last time, AWORKINPROGRESS can follow up that comfortable success over the extended 2m5f at Fontwell. Nick Gifford's charge has been raised 6lb in the ratings for that success, which could prove lenient with another step up in trip unlikely to be an issue. Twp Stori appears likely to be pose the biggest threat to the selection after a cosy win over 3m2f at Fontwell and he's likely to be strong at the line, despite a 7lb rise. Shengai Enki is a consistent performer who could hit the frame.
Prediction : 1st Aworkinprogress 2nd Twp Stori 3rd Shengai Enki

Following a clear second over 2m at Ffos Las last time, HUGUENEAU is taken to go one better today. Dan Skelton's charge bumped into a progressive rival on that occasion and having been raised just 1lb by the handicapper, he can exploit this mark of 87. Churchman is feared most if he can return to the form that saw him denied by just a nose over 2m at Ludlow on his penultimate outing off the same mark, while Chevington could be seen to be better effect now handicapping.
Prediction : 1st Hugueneau 2nd Churchman 3rd Chevington