12:35 Uttoxeter
This Class 3 beginners' steeple chase at Uttoxeter over 1m7f214y on good ground brings together just three runners, all making the transition to fences. The KTB Fit scores are tightly bunched at the top, with Count of Vendome and Hold The Serve separated by only a single point, suggesting a race of genuine quality for the level despite the small field. Recent form is strong across the principals, though each carries a different question mark regarding trip, ground or class.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape lacks an obvious leader, pointing to a steadily-run, tactical affair in which being handy is likely to pay. Count of Vendome's prominent style should see him race on or close to the pace, while Hold The Serve settles in midfield and Constellation Walk is typically held up. The key question is whether the lack of an early gallop allows the prominent runner to control matters or whether the hold-up horses can time their efforts effectively from off the steady tempo.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Count of Vendome KTB Selection65/100
Count of Vendome arrives in excellent order with three wins from his last four starts and recent form figures of 21211-. A high-class profile for this level is backed by two victories at today's trip and useful form on good ground, where he has two wins from three runs. Donald McCain's 13 percent strike rate at Uttoxeter aligns with his record elsewhere, while Theo Gillard's 8 percent mark at the track matches his overall figure. The yard and jockey combination has shown a 10 percent strike rate together. Usually racing prominently and on or close to the lead, he is well placed to take advantage of a race that lacks an obvious leader.
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2Hold The Serve64/100
Hold The Serve is a high-class performer boasting four wins from six starts and a solid second on his return, with recent form figures of 1115-2. Olly Murphy and Sean Bowen both hold strong records at Uttoxeter, the trainer operating at 21 percent and the jockey at 20 percent, both figures in line with their records elsewhere. Their combined record stands at 25 percent. Half-brother to Findthetime, who won five of 27 starts, he comes from a dam that has produced two winners from three other runners. Typically settling in midfield, his main question is the ground as he has yet to run on good and remains unproven at this trip.
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3Constellation Walk56/100
Constellation Walk is a smart performer who showed useful form when winning a handicap over 2m at this track last time out, with recent form figures of 46341-. He steps up in class today and drops back in trip, having failed to trouble the judge in two previous runs at this distance. Harry Fry boasts a 25 percent strike rate at Uttoxeter while Bryan Carver operates at 18 percent, both figures in line with their overall records and their combined record stands at 18 percent. Half-brother to Menaggio, who has won three of 18 starts, he comes from a dam that has produced one winner from two other runners. Usually held up and producing his effort late, he has just one run on good ground without placing.
KTB verdict
Count of Vendome is the KTB Selection. He brings the strongest recent winning record of the trio, with three victories in his last four starts, two of them at today's trip, and has shown he handles good ground. His prominent run-style looks ideally suited to a steadily-run race that lacks an obvious leader. Hold The Serve is a serious danger on high-class form and strong trainer-jockey statistics at the track, though the ground remains a question. Constellation Walk adds depth as a recent course winner but steps up in class and has not excelled at this shorter trip before.
KTB Selection Count of Vendome
Early prices
The best price per runner across the bookmakers we track, each as first seen (UK time). Every runner had a price by 12:14am, 30 Oct. Prices move — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Early price | Bookmaker, time |
|---|---|---|
| Count of Vendome | 5/2 | Bet365, 12:11am |
| Hold The Serve | 8/13 | William Hill, 12:11am |
| Constellation Walk | 6/1 | 7Bet, 12:11am |
This is the narrative read of the 12:35 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
Which horse has won the most times in its last four starts?
Count of Vendome, with three wins from four starts.
How many wins has Hold The Serve recorded from his last six starts?
Four wins from six starts.
At what distance did Constellation Walk win last time out at Uttoxeter?
Over 2m.
Which of the three has no experience on good ground?
Hold The Serve.
What is the combined trainer-jockey strike rate for Donald McCain and Theo Gillard?
10 percent from 1083 runs.
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