Alan Thomson, the former Racing Editor at the Daily Record, puts up five tips at Uttoxeter and Kempton Park on Saturday. View selections below.
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MS PARFOIS (3.35) has a touch of class and that may give her the edge over a bunch of mostly exposed stayers in the Marston’s Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter.
The eight-year-old hasn’t been seen since running sixth to Sizing Tennessee in the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase (formerly the Hennessy Gold Cup) at Newbury in November. Ms Parfois ran a stormer at last year’s Cheltenham festival when chasing home Rathvinden in the four-mile National Hunt Chase and she is given the nod over Folsom Blue, representing Gordon Elliott and Davy Russell. He was an unlucky fourth in the Irish Grand National last April after being badly hampered by Bellshill and although disappointing in the Welsh Grand National, Folsom Blue will be suited by this attritional 4m 2f trip.
The opening 2m 7f handicap hurdle for lady riders sees SOLSTICE STAR (1.50) carry top weight, with experienced Brodie Hampson taking off 5lb. A dual winner at Chepstow in November/December, Solstice Star scored over fences at Catterick last time following a short break. Martin Keightley’s gelding should go off an each-way price.
With 20 runners declared for the 2m 3f handicap hurdle it may pay to shop around for the best enhanced each-way terms, with DR SANDERSON (3.00) possessing the profile of a progressive young horse. He joined Paul Nicholls after winning a bumper for Irish handler Stuart Crawford and Dr Sanderson won a novices’ hurdle at Ffos Las last month. Lorcan Williams claims 5lb.
At Kempton, BURROWS EDGE (2.40) heads the weights in the Matchbook VIP Silver Plate Handicap Hurdle over 2m 5f. Nicky Henderson’s gelding won two novice hurdles but was off the track for 301 days before returning to action over course and distance last month, beaten a neck by Erick Le Rouge. A 2lb rise seems manageable.
EL TERREMOTO (3.15), a faller on both his previous starts, was just run out of it when sent off evens favourite at Kelso earlier this month but that completion should have done his confidence a power of good.
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Tally Ho
Alan
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