Betting
UTTOXETER PREVIEW | The Clarke Chase
18 runners battle it out for the Sir Stanley and Lady Clarke Challenge Trophy at Uttoxeter on Sunday
There’s a real treat in store for Jumps fans on Sunday, as several chasing talents face off in the Clarke Chase at Uttoxeter.
The 2m4f Class 2 Handicap Chase is the feature race of the day at the Staffordshire track, with the contest getting underway at 3.57.
EXELERATOR EXPRESS (13/2) has been in cracking form of late under Neil Mulholland and the seven-year-old could land his fourth victory in five starts.
The gelding has been bumped up 10lbs in the rating after an emphatic 10-length success at Haydock, but he can continue to show further improvement here.
He faces a tough opponent in Nicky Henderson’s PISTOL WHIPPED (7/1) who has landed victory in his last two outings.
It is likely the front-running tactics will be put into practice once again but the seven-year-old will need to kick against top weight for victory here.
He is joined by stablemate FALCO BLITZ (12/1) who will need to defy a career-high mark to land success here.
BORN SURVIVOR (9/1) is dropped down in class after his appearance in the Oaksey Chase on Sandown Finals Day last month for Dan Skelton, while David Bridgwater’s CAPTAIN TOMMY (9/1) has been bumped up 5lbs after landing the Staffordshire Plate at the course four weeks ago.
KAUTO THE KING (10/1) has jumped up 13lbs since March after winning three contests in a row for Colin Tizzard, including a victory at Newton Abbot three weeks ago which saw Alan King’s FIDUX (10/1) finish third and Philip Hobbs’ IMPERIAL PRESENCE (28/1) claim seventh.
Topham Chase runner-up PINK EYED PEDRO (10/1) had every chance in that 2m5f contest before unseating his rider at two out but he could bounce back from that tumble with a victory here for David Brace.
Ultima contender NIETZSCHE (10/1) bounced back with victory on his last outing at Ayr for Brian Ellison, while Stuart Edmonds’ HAVANA HERMANO (12/1) is switched back to fences following his hurdles success over C&D earlier in the month.
FRANCKY DU BERLAIS (14/1) will be hoping for some rain over the weekend to be competitive here for Peter Bowen and Amy Murphy’s REALLY SUPER (16/1) responded to her day out at the Cheltenham Festival with a respectable second over 2m7f at Market Rasen in April.
Nigel Twiston-Davies’ TOPOFTHECOTSWOLD (12/1) is stepped up in trip after being outpaced over 2m2f by Fidelio Vallis at Kempton, while Betway Bowl outsider MILITARIAN (33/1) will need to rediscover his previous form if he is to be competitive here for Andrew Martin.
John Mackie’s BARTON KNOLL (18/1), Evan Williams’ GO LONG (28/1) and Jennie Candlish’s TANARPINO (33/1) round off the 18-runner field at Uttoxeter.
