Horse Racing Tips: Rhys Williams' NAP is a hunter chase winner at Uttoxeter

Back to form with far more patient ride last time

Uttoxeter 14:52: Story Of Friends 1pt win 7/2

De Barley Basket returned from a long absence with victory at Worcester last time and he could progress from that but I think he's likely to face more pressure for the lead today from Franz Klammer and possibly Thomas Todd and Rebel Leader.

The likelihood of a good pace will suit Story Of Friends who lines up today having not been eligible to run yesterday at Newton Abbot while the hunter chase season was still in progress. He built on a fairly good first run for these connections at Cothelstone when dead-heating at Larkhill with Igor.

However, his form took a dip next time at Wincanton when finishing a well beaten second behind Sixteen Letters and although he ran well for quite a long way in a good race at Cheltenham, he was beaten coming down the hill before being pulled up.

On both of those occasions Story Of Friends was ridden very prominently but there was a big change in tactics on his latest start at Newton Abbot and they looked to suit him far better. He was held up in last early on before starting to make headway turning down the back straight for the final time. He eased into third approaching 4 out and was just nudged along to keep in touch with the leading pair as they kicked on after jumping that fence.

He looked to be travelling best as he was angled towards the inside turning into the home straight and went to the front approaching the last under only gentle encouragement before he idled on the run in and held on by a neck.

Those patient tactics and being delivered with a late challenge looked to suit Story Of Friends and the likely pace scenario will give him a good chance to do likewise again today. He's been put up 11lb for that victory so he's 4lb well in under a penalty and he could continue his resurgence with the yard now in much better form.

There is a slight concern over his jumping as it's not always been the most convincing over fences and it could be that El Paso Wood will have more improvement in him for the application of cheekpieces and drop back in trip or Rebel Leader for a wind op but I think the market hasn't underestimated their chances whereas Story Of Friends looks a little overpriced. Any 3/1 or bigger appeals.