Duke Debarry – 5.00 Uttoxeter – 2m 5F Chase – 22/1 Bet365 – 1 point each way.
The 10 year old Duke Debarry is a winner of three races, including two chases. His best win coming over 2m 4F when winning well off a mark of 120 (postmarking 141).
He was originally trained by Nicky Henderson before transferring to Brian Ellison and it was when he moved that he posted his best win.
Unfortunately Duke Debarry suffered injury and was off for two years. He returned to action in March this year and has been brought along slowly by connections being pulled up on his first three starts.
On his 4th start back he ran his best race with cheekpieces applied for the first time and Brian Hughes taking the ride. He hit a coupe of fences and finished 4th postmarking 114.
Duke Debarry has run one more race where he weakened in the last half mile.
Connections have added a tongue tie to his set up today which indicates a breathing problem, this also makes sense why he stopped so quickly on some of his starts.
Knowing the breathing issue is being controlled today I really like his chances with Brian Hughes back in the saddle. Brian took the ride for Duke Debarry’s impressive win off 120 and also his best run of this season. They are the only times he has ridden the horse and connections must be expecting a big run.
The Duke is down to his lowest ever mark of 107 and I really like his chances today, especially when you consider he has postmarked 141 in the past. We can currently get 22/1 with Betfred who also offer 3 places in this 7 runner race. I therefore recommend 1 point each way.
He is still value at 14/1.
Kimberley – 4.30 Uttoxeter – 2m Handicap Hurdle – 14/1 Boyles – 4 places – 1 point each way.
The 4 year old Kimberley is still lightly raced over hurdles. He previously raced on the flat for James Fanshaw where he ran his best races on good/firm postmarking a high of 74.
He was sold onto jumping connections, who raced him in three maiden hurdles on deep winter ground to get his handicap mark. Unsurprisingly he didn’t run well postmarking a high of just 62 and was allocated an opening handicap mark of 75.
On his handicap debut he ran his best hurdle race to date over todays course and distance on good/soft ground where he looked like winning before being outstayed by one rival. They pulled well clear, and Kimberley looked a winning in waiting.
He ran well on his next two starts finishing 3rd & 4th but on his latest start he was disappointing, trailing in 10th of 11 despite going off second favourite.
Kimberley needs to bounce back to form, but that’s very possible at the track where he ran his best race and on his preferred good, fast going. He runs off just 78 and with the very good jockey, Henry Brooke, on board he must have a strong chance.
At 14/1 he looks a fair each way play and I therefore recommend 1 point each way with Boyes who offer 4 places.
He still looks value at 9/1
