1:26 Uttoxeter
This Class 4 novices' hurdle at Uttoxeter over 2m7f70y on good ground brings together a field of seven where the KTB Fit scores point to a competitive but not overwhelming contest. In The Trenches tops the KTB rankings on 65 with Time In A Bottle, A Chara and Gentle Ocean completing the principals on 60, 58 and 55 respectively. The race lacks an obvious leader and is expected to be tactical, with recent form and trainer form at the track adding layers to the puzzle.
How the race shapes up
With no one obviously wanting the lead the pace shape is likely to be steadily-run and tactical, where being handy should pay according to the KTB assessment. Several runners, including the top two in the market, are usually held up and produce their effort late, which could leave them with plenty to do if the race is not truly run. A Chara is the one who races prominently and may therefore see things more favourably, posing the key question of whether the steady gallop will allow the patient types to close effectively or hand an advantage to those closer to the pace.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1In The Trenches KTB Selection65/100
In The Trenches is a smart performer who arrives in solid nick after a win and a fourth in his last two starts. He is the KTB Selection and tops the Fit ratings on 65. A drop back from 3m to this trip he has never tried asks a fresh question, while this will be his first run at Uttoxeter. Jennie Candlish has an 8% strike rate here from 463 runs and the horse is 1-11 on good ground. The combination of Luke Scott's 17% strike rate at the track and the yard's positive A/E of 1.29 when teaming up makes him respected. Usually held up, he will need the steadily-run affair to unfold in his favour.
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2Time In A Bottle60/100
Time In A Bottle is a smart performer who has been a consistent placed horse on several occasions yet remains winless after 11 starts. Rated 107, he has solid course connections through the Skelton team but showed only modest form when sixth here on his sole visit and was well held on his latest outing. He steps up in trip today for the first time in a while which asks a fresh question of him. Dan Skelton's 23% strike rate at Uttoxeter and Harry Skelton's 29% mark at the venue provide strong support, though the yard's overall A/E when combining is 0.90. Usually held up, he will be looking to produce his effort late in what is expected to be a tactical race.
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3A Chara58/100
A Chara is a smart performer who showed useful form when placed on both starts last season. Rated 110, he steps up in trip today which asks a fresh question of him. The yard has a solid 14% strike rate at Uttoxeter from 160 runs, though the trainer and jockey combination shows an A/E of 0.68. Unproven on good ground having had no previous runs on it, he represents an interesting but unexposed contender. Usually races handily on or close to the lead, his prominent run-style could be an advantage in a race that lacks a clear leader and is set to be steadily-run.
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4Gentle Ocean55/100
Gentle Ocean is a newcomer with no racecourse experience. Rated 55 on the KTB Fit scale, the yard have a solid 27% strike rate at Uttoxeter from 15 runs which commands respect. Pedigree and sales background offer the only clues to his ability. The Twiston-Davies team, with Sam Twiston-Davies in the saddle, bring an 18% strike rate at the track to the equation. As a 5-year-old by Crystal Ocean he is entitled to improve for the experience but will need to be ready on debut in this company.
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5Letmeseethecolts48/100
Letmeseethecolts is a useful performer who has been consistent of late with three straight placed efforts. Rated 95, he showed enough when third here over shorter to suggest the step up in trip will suit, while his record on good ground is solid with one win from six starts. The trainer operates at a 10% strike rate from 89 runs at Uttoxeter though the yard and jockey combination shows a modest A/E of 0.43.
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6Captain Connor41/100
Captain Connor is a fair performer who has shown occasional promise but has failed to win in ten starts and looks exposed at this level. Stepping up in class, he drops back in trip today having been well held over further last time which asks a fresh question, while he has no win or place on good ground from five attempts. The trainer operates at a 5% strike rate from 37 runs at Uttoxeter and the horse is held up.
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7Stavanger Rose32/100
Stavanger Rose is a fair performer who has shown some ability but has failed to win in eight starts and looks vulnerable in this company again. She has already been tried over this trip without success and is dropping back from a much longer distance last time, while her record on good ground is modest with no wins or places from five runs. The trainer has a poor 4% strike rate at Uttoxeter from 27 runs.
KTB verdict
In The Trenches is the KTB Selection. He arrives in solid nick after a win and a fourth in his last two starts and is taken to handle the drop back in trip and the first run at Uttoxeter. The selection's trainer and jockey combination carries a positive A/E and he is expected to be suited by the tactical nature of the race. His main dangers are Time In A Bottle, who brings strong yard and jockey form at the venue despite being winless, and A Chara, whose prominent style could be an asset if he handles the ground and extra distance. Gentle Ocean cannot be entirely dismissed given the yard's excellent recent record at Uttoxeter.
KTB Selection In The Trenches
This is the narrative read of the 1:26 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. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse is making its racecourse debut in this novices' hurdle?
Gentle Ocean is a newcomer with no racecourse experience.
How many of these runners are held up in running style?
In The Trenches, Time In A Bottle, Letmeseethecolts, Captain Connor and Stavanger Rose are all usually held up.
Which runner is unproven on good ground?
A Chara has had no runs on good ground.
Which horse has the strongest trainer strike rate at Uttoxeter in this field?
Gentle Ocean's yard has a 27% strike rate at Uttoxeter from 15 runs.
Has any horse in the field won over this distance before?
Stavanger Rose has already been tried over this trip without success.
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