4:25 Uttoxeter
This Class 4 handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter over 2m3f207y on good ground brings together an even field of eleven where the KTB Fit Scores are tightly bunched between 69 and 53. Three principals share ratings of 68-69, underlining how competitive the race looks on paper, while several runners sport first-time headgear and others are dropping in class. With the pace shape rated unclear due to limited run-style evidence, the contest is open and the KTB numbers suggest little to choose between the leading contenders on known ability.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape is unclear with low confidence, as there is not enough run-style data across the field to form a firm view on how the race will unfold. Dream Diamond is the only horse noted as prominent and usually races handily or close to the lead, while Jammy Jay is typically held up and produces its effort late. The key question is whether the race develops into a test of speed or stamina on this good ground, and which of the several course winners can capitalise in what could prove a tactical affair.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Crystal Glance69/100Smart performer who has won both starts at this track and looks nicely treated back here.
- 2Dream Diamond KTB Selection69/100Smart performer who has been running to a decent level this season without winning.
- 3Dream's Ka68/100Smart performer who has won four of his nine starts and looks well placed to add to that tally here.
- 4Gardener62/100Smart performer who has placed both starts at this track and won twice at today's trip.
- 5Maghlaak61/100Maghlaak is a smart performer on his day with a solid recent record that includes two wins this year.
- 6Pike Road59/100Smart performer who has won over this course and has placed at today's trip.
- 7Golden Maverick56/100Smart performer who has shown useful form on good ground, placing three times from six starts.
- 8Divilabother55/100Smart performer who arrives in solid form after two recent wins.
- 9Wudya55/100Smart performer who has been below his best this season but still ran creditably when fourth at Market Rasen last time.
- 10Magical Hill54/100Smart performer who arrives off the back of two wins from his last three completed starts.
- 11Jammy Jay53/100Useful performer who has shown consistent form without winning.
The contenders
Crystal Glance KTB Fit 69/100
Crystal Glance is a smart performer who has won both starts at this track and looks nicely treated back here. His recent form of 353-1F shows solid placed efforts before a win and fall, while the yard's 15% strike rate at Uttoxeter adds confidence. He drops in class, has five wins from eleven runs on good ground and a win at today's trip to his name. First-time headgear is the main unknown but his course record of two from two remains a significant plus. Toby Wynne takes the ride for Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero, whose combination has produced a 14% strike rate overall.
Dream Diamond KTB Fit 69/100
Dream Diamond is a smart performer who has been running to a decent level this season without winning. He drops in class and is the KTB Selection. The six-year-old usually races prominently, on or close to the lead, though evidence is limited. Trainer James Owen has a strong 30% strike rate at Uttoxeter from 54 runs while Jonathan Burke also rides the track well at 18% from 228 rides. Good ground suits with one win and five places from nine runs though he remains unproven at this exact trip. Recent form figures of 73-U23 underline his consistency at a useful level.
Dream's Ka KTB Fit 68/100
Dream's Ka is a smart performer who has won four of his nine starts and looks well placed to add to that tally here. The four-year-old has already won over this trip and on this track, and his record on good ground is solid with two wins from five runs. First-time headgear is an interesting addition from a yard and jockey who both operate at a high strike rate at Uttoxeter, Dan Skelton at 23% and Harry Skelton at 28%. Recent form of 7-2121 shows progressive form and a course record of one from one. The combination of trainer and jockey strike rates of 22% overall adds further interest.
Gardener KTB Fit 62/100
Gardener is a smart performer who has placed both starts at this track and won twice at today's trip. Recent efforts have been solid rather than spectacular and the first-time headgear is an unknown. The ten-year-old has a going record of one win from four on good and course figures of second and third from two runs. Trainer Mike Sowersby has a modest 6% strike-rate at Uttoxeter which adds a note of caution, while the yard and jockey combination shows a 15% strike rate overall. His form of 311-52 confirms he remains competitive at this level.
Maghlaak KTB Fit 61/100
Maghlaak is a smart performer on his day with a solid recent record that includes two wins this year. He has run twice at Uttoxeter without placing and is now dropping back in trip having failed to make the frame over this distance on his only previous attempt. The first-time headgear is an unknown and the yard and jockey both have modest strike rates here, Mark Walford at 15% and Jamie Hamilton at 7%. Recent form of 414P-8 shows mixed fortunes of late but he drops in class and remains capable on his best days.
The rest of the field
Pike RoadKTB Fit 59/100
Pike Road is a smart performer who has won over this course and has placed at today's trip. He drops back from 2m7f with first-time headgear after a mixed bag of recent efforts that included a solid second at this level. The yard records a 12% strike rate here from 287 runs.
Golden MaverickKTB Fit 56/100
Golden Maverick is a smart performer who has shown useful form on good ground, placing three times from six starts. He drops back in trip today having last run over further and tries headgear for the first time. This is the horse's first visit to Uttoxeter.
DivilabotherKTB Fit 55/100
Divilabother is a smart performer who arrives in solid form after two recent wins. He drops back to a trip he has won at before while his record on good ground is respectable with three wins from thirteen. The trainer remains winless from 18 runs at Uttoxeter.
WudyaKTB Fit 55/100
Wudya has been below his best this season but still ran creditably when fourth at Market Rasen last time. He drops back to a trip he has won over while first-time headgear is now tried. The trainer has a solid 14% strike rate at Uttoxeter from 21 runs.
Magical HillKTB Fit 54/100
Magical Hill arrives off the back of two wins from his last three completed starts. He has already shown he goes well on good ground and the drop back in trip poses an interesting new question rather than a negative. Both trainer and jockey have solid rather than sparkling records at Uttoxeter.
Jammy JayKTB Fit 53/100
Jammy Jay is a useful performer who has shown consistent form without winning. He is placed on both previous runs at this track and competitive on good ground, though still without a victory in either sphere. He steps up in trip today for the first time in a while which asks a fresh question and is held up in his run style.
KTB verdict
Dream Diamond is the KTB Selection. He has been running to a decent level this season without winning and drops in class for a trainer with a strong 30% strike rate at Uttoxeter. Jonathan Burke's 18% record at the track is another positive and good ground clearly suits. His prominent run style could be an asset in a race where the pace shape is unclear. The main dangers are Crystal Glance, who has won both starts at the track and looks nicely treated, and Dream's Ka, who has won four of nine starts including over course and distance and now tries first-time headgear from a powerful yard.
KTB Selection Dream Diamond
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:00 UTC, 24 Jul. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Crystal Glance | 4/1 | William Hill |
| Dream Diamond | 9/2 | William Hill |
| Dream's Ka | 7/2 | Bet365 |
| Gardener | 9/1 | William Hill |
| Maghlaak | 20/1 | Bet365 |
| Pike Road | 7/1 | William Hill |
| Golden Maverick | 16/1 | 7Bet |
| Divilabother | 15/2 | Bet365 |
| Wudya | 18/1 | Bet365 |
| Magical Hill | 10/1 | Bet365 |
| Jammy Jay | 12/1 | Bet365 |
This is the narrative read of the 4:25 Uttoxeter. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Uttoxeter racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has won both its previous starts at Uttoxeter?
Crystal Glance, who has a course record of two from two.
Which trainer has the highest strike rate at Uttoxeter among those represented?
James Owen with a 30% strike rate from 54 runs.
How many of the eleven runners are wearing first-time headgear?
Six runners are wearing first-time headgear: Crystal Glance, Dream's Ka, Gardener, Maghlaak, Pike Road and Wudya.
Which horse is the only one noted with a prominent run style?
Dream Diamond, who usually races handily on or close to the lead.
Which horse steps up in class for this race?
Jammy Jay.
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