ITV Racing Uttoxeter and Kempton Preview

The first race of the day at Uttoxeter on Saturday is the is the three mile Handicap Hurdle and Huntsmans Jog for trainer Fergal O'Brien has a huge chance.

The seven year old has been largely consistent this term running four times and although struggling slightly of late, has still managed to be in and around the frame.

The gelding made his seasonal debut at Lingfield in October finishing a close second in a staying event and off the back of that got off the mark for the first time this season at Exeter.

He then went to Ascot in December where the heavy ground did not play to his strengths and saw him back in fourth and last time out he was again only fifth in tricky conditions at Warwick.

Getting back to better ground will be a huge positive and on his early season form is a player.

Kempton's first race on ITV this Saturday is the two mile Limited Handicap Chase and Doukarov for trainer Sean Curran took the eye last time out.

The six year old had shown fair form this season, winning at Taunton on good ground in November, but after that dropped off the boil slightly in his next two runs.

Last time out at Leicester over two miles he was an extremely easy winner of a Novices' Handicap Chase to suggest that his 10lb rise today won't be enough to stop him.

Also getting back to good ground is a big positive having won in those conditions already this season.

Nightboattoclyro goes for us in the next at Kempton with the seven year old being foot perfect in all of his runs this season and should stay on his upward curve.

The gelding made his seasonal debut at Doncaster in December when seeing off Hooper for Nicky Henderson in a Handicap Hurdle.

Although boosted 5lb for that win, he backed it up in taking fashion next time out at Chepstow when beating some seasoned handicappers.

Up another 5lb to 125, many thought that the handicapper might have him, but they were wrong as he landed a hat-trick at wins in a Handicap Hurdle at Wetherby, with the first two pulling 20 lengths clear of the third placed horse.

Up another 6lb today should not be enough to stop his progress off the back of what he has done this term.

Next we move onto another Handicap Hurdle over 2m4f and Nickolson for Olly Murphy has been waiting for better ground and he should get it on Saturday.

The seven year old is thought of very highly at his yard and having had to run in wet conditions this season, he has not shown his best efforts.He is very lightly raced for his age only being seen six times, making his debut at Ayr back in February 2019 and getting off the mark in good style.

He then stepped over hurdles for the first time in his career at Wincanton on good ground and dominated a big field.

He ended last season with a nice second at Warwick behind Hooligan, who has gone on to be a nice horse and he also finished ahead of The Cob, who has since landed a Grade Two.

This term Nickolson has been seen three times, finishing second behind the smart Ribble Valley on seasonal debut, before heading to Sandown and hating the heavy ground in a Listed Handicap.

Last time out he was seen in a jumpers bumper at Newcastle where he finished way down in the field but it looks as though that was used for fitness ahead of this event.

Could go well at a big price.

The final event of the afternoon at Kempton sees a very competitive Handicap Chase over 2m4f and Vinnie The Hoodie For Oliver Sherwood takes the eye getting back to good ground.

The seven year old has been saved for a Spring campaign having not raced since October and the good condition should see him at his best.

This term the gelding has been seen four times, running three times in September on good ground and his best performance came second time out at Uttoxeter when a decent winner of a handicap chase.

He is only 5lb higher than that mark on Saturday and it could see him run well at a big price.

Uttoxeter's big race of the day is the Midland Grand National that every year always sees some superb stayers land the event and this year we have two strong picks.

The first is the Jonjo O'Neill trained Time To Get Up, who was taken out of the Kim Muir at Cheltenham to run in this race which says a lot.

The eight yer old is lightly raced for his age and this season has shown over staying trips just how smart he can be and if handling the extra distance will also enjoy the conditions.

He made his seasonal debut at Aintree in November when finishing third behind Canelo in a Limited Handicap Chase and next time out he went to Wetherby and could only manage fourth over 2m4f.

It was obvious he needed a step up in trip and last time out he went to Wincanton over 3m1f and was a wide margin winner of the Dick Hunt Trophy.

He is very unexposed and that should play to his strengths in this race, getting back to good ground.

At a bigger price in the race is the proven stayer for Venetia Williams Achille who has been superb on his two runs this season and in his last four has not finished outside the top two.

Having had some time off the track the 11 year old went to Warwick in January for the Grade Three Handicap Chase over 3m5f and was a close second behind the smart Notachance.

Last time out he went to Haydock for the Grand National Trial over 3m4f and the further he went the better he became, taking Lord Du Mesnil all the way to the line, just being beaten in a photo-finish.

He is a proven stayer that will handle the ground and at 9/1 is a big each way player.