1:37 Uttoxeter
This Class 4 mares' maiden hurdle at Uttoxeter serves as a Herring Queen Series qualifier and carries GBB status. A field of 14 lines up over 1m7f168y on good ground with the KTB numbers pointing to a race of moderate depth where the top-rated runners hold the stronger claims on limited evidence. Merry Wood tops the KTB Fit ratings on the back of an encouraging debut success last season while several others arrive with placed form or notable pedigree but face questions over their readiness or consistency.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape is tentative with only thin evidence of a confirmed front-runner. Several runners are likely to race prominently or handily including Merry Wood, Milly Ocean, Dolly Drama, Crimson Ocean and Golden Sanjida, while Phantom of Delight could attempt to make the running. Mid-division types such as Briery Bluebelle, Knight Crossing, Galaxy Star and St Marys Wantage are expected to settle further back. The key question is whether the prominent group can dictate matters or if the race will fragment early given the lack of established pace.
The KTB Fit ranking
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1Merry Wood KTB Selection71/100
Merry Wood showed promise when winning on debut over this trip on good ground last season. The yard and jockey both hold a 21% and 20% strike rate at Uttoxeter respectively, both in line with their figures at other tracks. Data confidence remains low given just one career run. She steps up in class today but her prominent run-style should see her race handily in what looks a tentative pace. The combination of Olly Murphy and Sean Bowen, who boast solid records at the track, adds to the appeal on this return.
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2Milly Ocean62/100
Milly Ocean has shown ability in three runs, winning once on this trip and recording a placing last time. She has won on good ground from limited tries and is from a yard that operates at a 16% strike rate here at Uttoxeter. The jockey also has a 14% record at the track though the small overall sample means this remains a cautious read. Her prominent style should see her race on or close to the lead in a race lacking strong pace. With a KTB Fit of 62 she sits clearly behind the selection but holds her own among the principals.
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3Briery Bluebelle58/100
Briery Bluebelle was placed second on her latest start over this trip after a first-run pull-up. The dam has had two other runners without a win between them and this is only her second season racing so the bare form has to be treated cautiously. Trainer at Uttoxeter has a 13% strike rate from 89 runs in line with their record elsewhere while jockey Kevin Brogan has a 9% strike rate from 45 rides at the track. She steps up in class and is expected to settle in mid-division. Her KTB Fit of 58 leaves her a touch below the leading contenders on balance.
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4Knight Crossing56/100
Knight Crossing has shown ability in both starts, finishing third on debut here and then second last time out. He drops back in trip today having already placed at this distance. The yard's 16% strike rate at Uttoxeter is in line with their record elsewhere. With Sam Twiston-Davies in the saddle the pair bring a 4% trainer-jockey strike rate from 28 runs. Expected to race in mid-division, he has course form to his name and a KTB Fit of 56 that keeps him in the mix among the principals.
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5Crazy Alice51/100
Crazy Alice is a newcomer with no racecourse form to go on. The yard has a 17% strike rate at Uttoxeter from 174 runs, in line with their record elsewhere. Data confidence is low so the assessment rests entirely on pedigree and sales background. By Affinisea, she represents connections with a solid 17% trainer-jockey record from 862 runs. Tom Lacey and Stan Sheppard team up here and while her KTB Fit of 51 places her last among the principals she cannot be entirely dismissed in a maiden of this nature.
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6Dolly Drama48/100
Dolly Drama has placed third on both completed starts over this trip last season. Half-sister to smart jumps winner Minella Drama and from a family that has produced winners. Trainer and jockey both operate at their usual level here but the small sample means her ability remains hard to pin down.
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7Crimson Ocean48/100
Crimson Ocean has shown fair placed form in two starts over hurdles so far, finishing third and fourth. He drops back in trip today having already tried this distance once without success, while the family record is solid with a half-sister to multiple winner Hell's Kitchen. Trainer has no recorded runs at Uttoxeter and the small sample overall means this lightly-raced profile must be treated with caution.
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8Highbourne Karisma46/100
Highbourne Karisma is a debutant whose assessment rests on pedigree, sales background and connections rather than any racecourse evidence. Tom Symonds has a 9% strike rate at Uttoxeter from 138 runs, in line with his overall record. First-time headgear is fitted and the data confidence remains low.
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9Another Vega46/100
Another Vega is a debutant with no racecourse experience to go on. The yard has a 23% strike rate at Uttoxeter from 648 runs, which is above their 18% at other tracks. Data confidence is low so the assessment is tentative and rests mainly on pedigree and sales background.
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10Magika Bella46/100
Magika Bella is a debutant with no racecourse form to go on. The pedigree and sales background provide the only clues, while Ben Pauling's 12% strike rate at Uttoxeter is in line with his record elsewhere. Ben Jones takes the ride.
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11Golden Sanjida46/100
Golden Sanjida has shown mixed form in three starts so far with a second on debut the clear highlight. She drops back in trip today having failed to land a blow over this distance on her other two runs and the small sample makes her hard to pin down. Olly Murphy has a 21% strike rate at Uttoxeter from 397 runs in line with his record elsewhere while Robert Dunne has limited experience at the track.
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12Galaxy Star45/100
Galaxy Star brings some placed form from this year but has been beaten on both starts on good ground. The yard's 14% strike rate at Uttoxeter is in line with their record elsewhere while Tom Bellamy's record at the track is not supplied. Stepping up markedly in trip for the first time today leaves a clear question to answer.
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13Phantom of Delight42/100
Phantom of Delight showed ability when winning a bumper on debut at Bangor last year but has been well held in both subsequent starts including a tailed-off effort on hurdles debut. She is a full sister to Listed winner Ms Parfois and drops back in trip today with first-time headgear fitted. The yard's 13% strike rate at Uttoxeter is in line with their record elsewhere while the jockey's 8% strike rate at the track matches his overall figure.
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14St Marys Wantage41/100
St Marys Wantage was well beaten on her only start so far and remains lightly raced with little to go on. The yard has a 21% strike rate at Uttoxeter from 406 runs in line with their record elsewhere while Nico de Boinville posts a 15% strike rate here from 151 rides also in line with his wider figures. She is a full sister to Dramatic Encore and a half-sister to another winner but the small sample means her ability on this ground and trip stays an open question.
KTB verdict
Merry Wood is the KTB Selection. She showed promise when winning on debut over this trip on good ground last season and the yard and jockey both hold strong records at Uttoxeter in line with their figures elsewhere. Her prominent style looks well suited to the tentative pace shape and with a clear KTB Fit edge she is taken to follow up. The main dangers are Milly Ocean, who brings placed form and a win at this trip, and Knight Crossing, who has already shown ability at this course and distance. Briery Bluebelle and Crazy Alice complete the shortlist of principals who could improve past some of the less convincing field runners.
KTB Selection Merry Wood
Early prices
The best price per runner across the bookmakers we track, each as first seen (UK time). Every runner had a price by 12:13am, 30 Oct. Prices move — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Early price | Bookmaker, time |
|---|---|---|
| Merry Wood | 5/6 | Bet365, 12:07am |
| Milly Ocean | 11/1 | William Hill, 12:07am |
| Briery Bluebelle | 18/1 | William Hill, 12:07am |
| Knight Crossing | 18/1 | Bet365, 12:07am |
| Crazy Alice | 12/1 | William Hill, 12:07am |
| Dolly Drama | 33/1 | Bet365, 12:07am |
| Crimson Ocean | 30/1 | 7Bet, 12:07am |
| Highbourne Karisma | 14/1 | Bet365, 12:07am |
| Another Vega | 12/1 | William Hill, 12:07am |
| Magika Bella | 9/1 | Bet365, 12:07am |
| Golden Sanjida | 50/1 | Bet365, 12:07am |
| Galaxy Star | 7/1 | William Hill, 12:07am |
| Phantom of Delight | 35/1 | 7Bet, 12:07am |
| St Marys Wantage | 22/1 | Bet365, 12:07am |
This is the narrative read of the 1:37 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 the highest KTB Fit rating and what is it?
Merry Wood has the highest KTB Fit rating at 71/100.
How many runners have previous course form at Uttoxeter?
Only Knight Crossing has previous course form, having finished third on his debut here.
Which horses are noted as wearing first-time headgear?
Highbourne Karisma and Phantom of Delight are both fitted with first-time headgear.
Which runner is a full sister to a Listed winner?
Phantom of Delight is a full sister to Ms Parfois, a Listed winner with 6 wins from 16 runs.
What is the trainer strike rate at Uttoxeter for the yard of the selection?
Olly Murphy has a 21% strike rate at Uttoxeter from 397 runs.
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