Hi
Please see my three picks for Friday:
Top Drawer – 12.15 Uttoxeter – 2m 4F Handicap Hurdle – 33/1 Bet365 – 1 Point Each Way.
The 7 year old gelding Top Drawer has shown some fair form in novice hurdles, in 2020 twice running well at Uttoxeter over 2m 4F, postmarking 105.
He placed on those two runs and looked sure to break his duck either in another maiden or when handicapped.
When he returned to action in 2021 something was amiss and those first two runs were poor. He was given another break until October and in his four runs he still hasn’t entirely found his form.
He stepped up to 3 miles, which didn’t seemed to suit and last time out I’m not sure the really soft Fontwell going was to his liking.
What we do know is that Top Drawer likes Uttoxeter and runs well on a sound surface, so today’s race is a positive step.
So is his handicap mark which is now down to 80 from a high earlier this year of 115. Top Drawer runs from out of the handicap off 86, but luckily his 5lb claimer regular jockey can offset virtually all of that.
I like that his last run was only 6 days ago and with his fitness assured and conditions to suit we can hope Top Drawer can run a much better race.
At 50/1 he is worth taking a chance with and I recommend 1 point each way.
He is still value at 25/1.
Calico Jack – 2.00 Uttoxeter – 2.00 Uttoxeter – 2m 4F Handicap Chase – 66/1 Paddy Power BetVictor Betfair Sportsbook – 1 Point Each Way.
Calico Jack was originally trained in Ireland by Noel Meade and achieved a good level of form over hurdles placing in 4 novice hurdles before eventually winning one. He postmarked 118 multiple times before embarking on a chasing career.
He was prone to jumping errors over chases and didn’t progress so was sold on to a small UK owner rider who has placed the horse with the excellent Bowen outfit.
Unfortunately on his first UK chase he fell quite badly and on his second and most recent outing this year the horse seemed to have lost his confidence and was backing off the chases.
For the sake of the horses wellbeing I’m happy they have chosen to revert back to hurdles and off a mark of just 99 he could just spring back to life.
His hurdling technique was good and with cheekpieces being added which should help him travel this could be a winning move.
At 50/1 with Bet365 he is very overpriced, and I recommend 1 point each way.
He is still value at 20/1.
Global Frontier – 3.00 Uttoxeter – 3 Mile Handicap Chase – 66/1 Bet365, Sky, Paddy Power – 1 Point Each Way.
Global Frontier started life in a 3 mile Point to Point and ran pretty well to finish a 12 length 4th to a horse that is now rated 109 under rules.
He has only then had 5 runs under rules, including a NH flat race and three mandatory maiden hurdles where eh postmarked a high of just 69.
Global Frontier had a break and returned to action recently for his handicap debut and interesting went straight over chases.
For a seasonal opener from a small stable it was a highly promising run. The trip of 2m 5F was too short for him and he was always a little outpaced but showed a willing attitude to stay on in to a fair 6th of 13. He tired late on and wasn’t given a hard time in the home straight. You could see he blew up so the losing distance was exaggerated.
He jumped a chase fence well and has enough size and scope to make it over the big obstacle, so you can see why connections went chasing so early in his career. He is bred to appreciate 3 miles, so it’s great that they step him up to that trip today.
He runs here off a mark of 77, which is 3lb out of the handicap, but he is so lightly raced and has already postmarked 74 in his P2P and 89 in a NH flat race, so I’m happy that he can cope with that mark. Connor ring also takes off a handy 3lb.
Everything looks good for an improved run today and I’m very surprised we can back him at 66/1!!
I therefore recommend 1 point each way.
He is still value at 20/1.
