Uttoxeter Saturday Preview

The first race of the day at Uttoxeter comes in the Lady Riders Handicap Hurdle over 2 miles 7 furlongs and the horse we are going with for this contest is Diger Daudaie.

This Charlie Longsdon trained runner looks to have a great chance in the opening race of the day with some strong runs so far this term and still being very unexposed.

He ran really well last time out finishing third behind two horses that ran well on Thursday at Cheltenham in the Pertemps Final and if improving with a handy claimer on board will not be far away.

The next pick of the day see's Captain Cattistock go for us in the Class 2 Handicap Chase over 3 miles and this race see's many sharp horses go to post.

This Paul Nicholls trained runner has been superb on his last few performances especially when winning on his last outing at Exeter.

He beat some good horses that day in a Class 3 and stepping up to a Class 2 should not be a problem and also the soft ground tomorrow should play to his strengths.

The third race of the day see's another Class 2 Handicap but this time over hurdles. In this 2 mile 3 furlong event we have gone for another Paul Nicholls trained runner in Dr Sanderson.

Nicholls is flying at the moment with some good winners at the festival and having winners all season and this five year old has added to that.

Last time out he won well in a Class 3 at Ffos Las and stepping back up in trip by 3 furlongs is set to suit him even more. Live chance.

The feature race of the day see's the Marston's 61 Deep Midlands Grand National and in this Steeplechase Listed contest over 4 miles 2 furlongs and we have gone for Dawson City and Chef D'Oeuvre.

Dawson City for trainer Polly Grundy won the Exeter National and although he will need another career best he stays really well and has a strong each way chance.

The other horse in the mix for us is the Sam England trained Chef D'Oeuvre who has been back to his best on his last few runs running really well in defeat in strong staying contests and it would not be a surprise to see him be up there.

The mid way through the Uttoxeter card see's the Class 4 Novices Hurdle over 2 mile 4 furlongs and in this one we have gone for Back On The Lash.

This Martin Keighley trained five year old has been really progressive on all of this three starts to date and the booking of Champion Jockey Richard Johnson is a huge bonus.

On his three starts this novice has figures of 131 and his last outing was his most impressive when wining a decent Class 4 at Ludlow and if improving from that could stand a chance on Saturday.

The next race of the day see's the Class 4 Handicap Chase over 2 miles 4 furlongs and Cuddles McGraw for trainer Fergal O'Brien is our selection.

This 6 year old gelding has just got better and better with every run to date with figures of 4321 in all of his runs this season.

Paddy Brennan gets the booking which is a positive and coming into this off the back of his smart run last time out gives him plenty of scope to build on.

The penultimate race of the day is the 1 mile 7 1/2 furlong Class 5 Handicap Hurdle and Astra Via for trainer Evan Williams will be very hard to beat.

This season he has ran three times in Class 4 and 5 contests and has got better and better with each run finishing second last time out in a field of nine at Hereford.

She ran well that day behind a smart Mick Channon horse and if she can come on for that run this filly can be right in the mix.

The final race of the day at Uttoxeter on the courses biggest race day of the year see's the Class 5 National Hunt Flat Race contest over 1 mile 7 1/2 furlongs and we have gone for The Cob.

This Ben Pauling trained runner made a really smart debut at Ffos Las finishing second in a 11 runner field behind a useful Nigel Twiston-Davies horse.

He will look to improve on that on Saturday and finish the day off nicely for us. Big chance.