3:13 Uttoxeter Tips

The selection has been roundabouts on hurdles but won when changed hands in October. More improvement can be expected now chasing. S. Bowen on the saddle will ease the success.

More to come as a chaser if brushing up the jumping and back to the last winning mark over hurdles after a sighter at Chepstow behind a rejuvenated horse for the Skelton team. Looks well treated considering the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th in that hurdle win have franked the form big time. Softer ground could suit better.

FortuneFavoursDBold ran second behind a progressive sort over good-to-soft (course and distance) last time. That came after a 216-day break. Well below last winning mark now, and the stable are firing on all cylinders. If coming on for the run, the 7yo has strong place claims at least.

In total Smurfette ran six times last season, winning twice. Those two wins came in her last three runs. For her final race of the season she was upped in distance to three miles and duly obliged by just under five lengths. She was last seen racing towards the end of November 2024. The time off the racecourse may be more of an issue than the five pounds she has gone up in the ratings. She should appreciate the underfoot conditions and can hopefully overcome her long absence and gain another win.

Gibberwell landed a Hexham handicap in March, after which his official rating rose to 87. Racing off a mark of 83 today, he has been given some respite by the handicapper. It was a good effort at Hexham where he was outpaced but rallied to win despite being out of the handicap. This horse wins handicaps carrying low weights, and 10-3 will suit. Three miles with give in the ground are his conditions.