2:02 Uttoxeter
The 2:02 at Uttoxeter is a Class 4 Insurance Connections Best Bet Handicap Steeple Chase over 3m0f10y on good ground, featuring an eight-runner field where the KTB Fit Scores point to a competitive but not overwhelming contest. Four principals stand out on the numbers, headed by Fern Hill on 71, with Safe Destination, Mahler Moon and Back It Up all closely matched behind on 68, 62 and 61 respectively. The race lacks an obvious leader and is set to be a steadily-run, tactical affair in which positioning and timing will be critical.
How the race shapes up
With no confirmed front-runner in the field and every horse showing a held-up style, the pace shape is expected to be steady and tactical rather than strongly-run. Being handy to the pace or timing a late run effectively will be key on this good ground. The central question is whether any horse can produce a decisive effort off such a modest gallop or whether the race will turn into a sprint for the line from the final bend.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Fern Hill KTB Selection71/100
Fern Hill is an 11-year-old with an official rating of 110 and recent form figures of 25423-. A smart performer who has won twice at Uttoxeter and also scored over today's trip, he arrives in solid form after a string of placed efforts. He handles good ground well with two wins and four places from six runs. The trainer Ben Case has an 8% strike rate at Uttoxeter with an A/E of 0.8 from 191 runs, but this is offset by jockey Jack Quinlan's strong 17% strike rate and A/E of 2.55 from six rides at the track. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he is the KTB selection.
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2Safe Destination68/100
Safe Destination is an eight-year-old rated 107 with form figures of 126PP-. A smart performer who has won at this track and at today's trip, he drops back in class from 3m4½f to 3m after two pulled-up efforts. He holds solid course connections with the Twiston-Davies team, who have a 29% strike rate at Uttoxeter with an A/E of 1.28 from 17 runs, while jockey Sam Twiston-Davies operates at 18% with an A/E of 0.95 from 542 rides. His going record on good ground is modest with only one win from twelve starts. Usually held up, he produces his effort late.
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3Mahler Moon62/100
Mahler Moon is an eight-year-old rated 105 with form figures of 121-26. A smart performer who has won at this trip and showed solid placed form earlier this season, he was well held on his only previous run here. His record on good ground is modest for his ability with two wins from sixteen starts. Trainer Fergal O'Brien has a 17% strike rate at Uttoxeter with an A/E of 0.95 from 499 runs and the jockey Jack Hogan rides at 15% with an A/E of 1.2 from 62 rides. Usually held up, he produces his effort late.
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4Back It Up61/100
Back It Up is an eight-year-old rated 109 with form figures of P/4-54. A smart performer who has shown only modest form in three runs since returning from a long absence, he steps up markedly in trip today which asks a fresh question. His sole visit to Uttoxeter produced a well-held fifth. James Owen has a solid 27% strike rate at Uttoxeter with an A/E of 1.16 from 63 runs while Jonathan Burke matches that level with an 18% strike rate and A/E of 1.16 from 238 rides. Usually held up, he produces his effort late.
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5Post Chaise59/100
Post Chaise is a nine-year-old rated 108 with form figures of 0512/6. A smart performer who has won at this trip and showed useful form when second at the course in the past, recent efforts have been patchy, including a poor run here last time out. The yard has a solid 14% strike rate at Uttoxeter with an A/E of 1.14 from 165 runs, though this is not matched by jockey Jack Tudor's modest 7% strike rate and A/E of 0.69 from 147 rides. Course record reads fifth and eleventh with no placed efforts.
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6Emailandy59/100
Emailandy is an eight-year-old rated 107 with form figures of PP-31P. A smart performer who showed his best side when winning at Chepstow last month before pulling up last time, he steps up in trip today having failed to land a blow in four previous attempts at three miles and that asks a fresh question. Trainer Martin Keighley strikes at 12% here with an A/E of 0.88 from 293 runs while Sean Bowen rides at a solid 20% strike rate with an A/E of 0.97 from 587 rides.
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7Camarrate54/100
Camarrate is a six-year-old rated 104 with form figures of 361-P2. A useful performer who has shown his best form around here, finishing second on his only visit to Uttoxeter, he has a solid record on good ground with three wins and six places from twelve starts. Recent form has been mixed with a pulled-up effort before a solid second last time. Stepping up to 3m for the first time asks a fresh question. The trainer's 13% strike rate from 730 runs at the track and the jockey's 9% from 105 rides both point to a yard and rider who know the place well.
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8Slaney Opera44/100
Slaney Opera is an eight-year-old rated 96 with form figures of 435F23. A useful performer who has been consistent in recent starts with a string of placed efforts, he has placed both here and at today's trip though is still seeking a first win at either. His record on good ground is modest with one win from ten starts. The trainer's modest 3% strike-rate at Uttoxeter with an A/E of 0.46 from 37 runs adds a negative.
KTB verdict
Fern Hill stands out as the KTB selection. An 11-year-old who has already won twice at Uttoxeter and scored over today's trip, he arrives in solid form after a string of placed efforts and handles good ground well. The strong jockey record at the track further strengthens his claims in a race that looks likely to be run at a steady pace where timing a late run could be advantageous. Safe Destination is the most obvious danger having won at the course and dropping in class, while Mahler Moon and Back It Up cannot be entirely dismissed on their best efforts despite questions to answer.
KTB Selection Fern Hill
This is the narrative read of the 2:02 Uttoxeter. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Uttoxeter racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Uttoxeter results & records page. How favourites, trainers, jockeys and the draw have fared here over the last five years is on the Uttoxeter racecourse statistics page. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Why does Fern Hill head the KTB Fit ratings?
Fern Hill has won twice at Uttoxeter, scored over today's trip, arrives in solid form after placed efforts, and handles good ground well with two wins and four places from six runs.
What does the pace shape suggest for race tactics?
The race lacks a leader and every horse is held up, so it is likely to be a steadily-run, tactical affair where being handy pays.
How does Safe Destination's class drop factor?
Safe Destination is dropping in class from a longer trip after two pulled-up efforts and has previous wins at this track and trip.
What fresh questions does the trip pose for the leading contenders?
Back It Up steps up markedly in trip, Emailandy has failed to land a blow in four previous attempts at three miles, and Camarrate is stepping up to 3m for the first time.
Which jockey has the strongest recent record at Uttoxeter in this field?
Jack Quinlan has a 17% strike rate at Uttoxeter with an A/E of 2.55 from six rides.
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