We head to Fontwell Park first for the opening juvenile hurdle (12:40) where the combination of John Ferguson, Denis O'Regan and the Bloomfields operation are in too rich a vein of form to oppose. For that reason Flat recruit Muhtaris looks the one to side with as a horse who has the potential to flourish over hurdles. He won twice from only four starts on the flat for Saeed Bin Suroor including a 10-furlong handicap at Wolverhampton last time out, and can add his name to the long list of promising young horses in those black-and-maroon colours. Sun Wild Life, C&D winner Wooly Bully and Aldopicgros all bring fair form to today's race and merit respect, but Muhtaris should make a smooth transition to life under National Hunt rules and make it a winning start to the day.
It's a bet from Uttoxeter up next where it's an interesting handicap hurdle over two-and-a-half miles under consideration (13:50). There are a number of unexposed contenders, with Premier Portrait heading the list and his last run at Towcester may have come a little soon after his impressive debut under rules at Worcester. However it might pay to take a chance on Market Option who shaped as if he was in need of the run on his seasonal reappearance at Towcester in what looked a muddling contest, and is better judged on the promise of his Ludlow success in the spring. He looked a horse who would remain of serious interest in handicap company that day, and is taken to confirm that impression here; the jockey and trainer combination who have proved as formidable as ever so far in handicaps this season is another positive.
We remain at the Staffordshire track for our final bet of the day in the two-and-a-half mile novices' handicap chase (14:50) in which the hat-trick seeking Mr Bachster who looks to have got off lightly with a only a 7 lb rise for his recent Leicester win, in which the front two pulled well clear of the rest. The switch back to fences (point winner) seems to have brought out the best in him and he appears to be in the form of his life at the moment. For that reason a bold bid is expected at the very least and it would be no surprise to see him continue his winning run before the handicapper has his say once again; there are dangers in the form of Degenerate and Browns Brook who represent good yards and could be unexposed now sent handicapping.
Timeform UK SmartPlays
Back Muhtaris @ 3.259/4 in the 12:40 at Fontwell
Back Market Option @ 11.010/1 in the 13:50 at Uttoxeter
Back Mr Bachster @ 4.84/1 in the 14:50 at Uttoxeter
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