UK Horse Racing Tips: Uttoxeter

FIRST CANDIDATE is developing nicely and may take some stopping on the back of a ready success at Haydock. A penalty demands more of the Dan Skelton-trained mare over this longer trip, but she won over 3m during her point-to-point days and it seems safe to assume the additional yardage is within her range. Port And Brandy and Pigeon Forge are a couple of others with scope for progression.
Prediction : 1st First Candidate 2nd Port And Brandy 3rd Pigeon Forge

GALWAY REEL ran a blinder to finish second in a similar event over C&D last week. That was his first start for 163 days and a 2lb nudge might not be enough to prevent the seven-year-old from going one better. Cinnodin was handed a 6lb rise after a track-and-trip success at the start of the month. He's also capable of being on the premises, while Corsican Caper merits close inspection in the betting.
Prediction : 1st Galway Reel 2nd Cinnodin 3rd Corsican Caper

SERVICE MINIMUM is on a roll and looks the type who could have a profitable summer. Having backed up a win at Bangor with a cosy success at Warwick, the hat-trick looks within reach for this much-improved mare. It is worth noting that she's been hit with a 10lb rise and support in the betting for in-form rivals such as Miss Maverick and Rialannah would be dangerous to ignore.
Prediction : 1st Service Minimum 2nd Miss Maverick 3rd Rialannah

AMERICAN MIKE has to concede weight all round but looks up to the task on the evidence of his Perth performance when he forced a dead-heat. First-time cheekpieces might help him to travel a bit better over this shorter trip and he can get the better of Riskintheground, who won the Silver Trophy for the second consecutive year - this time at Haydock. Gunsight Ridge is next best.
Prediction : 1st American Mike 2nd Riskintheground 3rd Gunsight Ridge

TELHIMLISTEN will attract plenty of attention and rightly so given he's won two of his last three starts at Sedgefield and Stratford, finishing a close-up second at Plumpton on the other occasion. He'd had over a year off the track when making a successful return to the fray at the Midlands venue in March and, providing he's had enough time to get over those exertions, everything points to another bold showing. Politacus and Vocito are the dangers.
Prediction : 1st Telhimlisten 2nd Politacus 3rd Vocito

SCOTTISH KING is in the form of his life and completed his hat-trick with a 31-length success at Hexham in March, although that doesn't tell the whole story because just two managed to finish. Nevertheless, he's only had eight spins over the larger obstacles and may well be up to defying a further rise in the handicap. Mahler Moon and Realisation have both been holding their form well so must be considered, and it would be no surprise were Fern Hill to pick up some minor money.
Prediction : 1st Scottish King 2nd Mahler Moon 3rd Realisation

Plenty of eyes will be on newcomer Cruikshank given Nicky Henderson's strike-rate in bumpers here, but it might pay to side with SHOW YOUR HAND. David Pipe's four-year-old was out of his depth in a valuable Newbury contest on his debut, but took a big leap forward when beaten a neck into second at Exeter. He ought to find further progress now and, in receipt of weight, looks a real player. Sano City is also noted.
Prediction : 1st Show Your Hand 2nd Cruikshank 3rd Sano City