Uttoxeter

Today, May 17, 2025ChaseClass 52m4fGood

Verdict

SHADOWS IN THE SKY arrives here on the back of a string of tame efforts but he's now just 1 lb higher than for his Hexham success during the autumn and, moreover, it would be no surprise were he to bounce back on this debut for the James Owen yard. It will be interesting to see if the market speaks in his favour and, if so, the hint should be taken. Special Dragon did well under the circumstances at Haydock and she is the clear main danger ahead of Isholo du Vivien.

Shadows In The Sky
Special Dragon
Isholo Du Vivien

2m5f Hcap Chs

Each Way terms: 1/4 odds for first 2 places

2. Shadows In The Sky
J: Sean BowenT: James Owen
F: 55415PPP-
Price History:
2.10
Age:
9
Weight:
11-10
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
96
Days Since Last Run:
53
Verdict
Successful twice from the front in 2½m handicap chases at Hexham in 2024, the latest off a 1 lb lower mark in October. It's been all downhill since (pulled up last 3 starts) but he wouldn't be the first to benefit from the switch to the James Owen yard.
3. Special Dragon
J: Henry BrookeT: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero
F: 021/28F53-
Price History:
4.50
Age:
6
Weight:
11-5
Gear:
tongue strap
Official Rating:
91
Days Since Last Run:
28
Verdict
Fair 21f hurdles winner who looked in need of the run back from 5 months off at Wetherby in March. Stepped up on that when third in 7-runner Haydock handicap (2½m, good) last month (badly hampered at the second-last) and, still open to improvement in this sphere, she has to enter calculations.
1. Isholo Du Vivien
J: Theo GillardT: Donald McCain
F: 35/413182-
Price History:
4.33
Age:
7
Weight:
12-0
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
100
Days Since Last Run:
252
Verdict
Winner of good-ground handicap chases at Stratford (17f) and Cartmel (21f) last summer. Signed off 2024 with a creditable second upped to 22.6f at the former course in September and he could have a part to play if raring to go back from an 8-month break.
8. Higgs
J: James BestT: Sarah-Jayne Davies
F: PP94423-3
Price History:
8.00
Age:
12
Weight:
10-1
Gear:
blinkers
Official Rating:
74
Days Since Last Run:
11
Verdict
Dual winner of low-grade 3m handicap chases this time last year, including at this course. Best effort since the turn of the year when runner-up at Ffos Las 3 starts back but this veteran is not the most reliable of propositions.
5. Kings Justice
J: Charlie ToddT: Sam Allwood
F: B2/4P25F4-
Price History:
11.00
Age:
7
Weight:
10-11
Gear:
cheekpieces and tongue strap
Official Rating:
83
Days Since Last Run:
28
Verdict
Narrowly denied at Catterick in January and shaped as if back in form until a luckless late exit at Sedgefield (21f, good to soft) 2 months later. Behind Special Dragon at Haydock next time, though, and it could be that a return to Catterick (form figures there read 212B2) is what he needs.
6. Orion dAubrelle
J: Aaron AndersonT: Michael Wigham
F: 5/77-
Price History:
23.00
Age:
12
Weight:
10-11
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
83
Days Since Last Run:
22
Verdict
Fairly useful chaser at best when trained by Willie Mullins but didn't show much sole start for John Wright in a hunter last spring and similarly low-key in 2 starts for present yard this year.
7. Even Break
J: Ben PosteT: Rosemary Gasson
F: 7/PP-
Price History:
67.00
Age:
7
Weight:
10-6
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
78
Days Since Last Run:
193
Verdict
Unplaced sole start in Irish points and little to shout about under Rules so far, most recently pulled up on chase debut at Warwick in November.
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Unnamed 2nd Favourite

Non-Runners

4. Rock On Rita
J: Richie McLernonT: Neil Mulholland
F: P819-6
Price History:
-
Age:
9
Weight:
10-13
Gear:
cheekpieces
Official Rating:
85
Days Since Last Run:
2
Verdict
Dual hurdles winner who left previous form in this sphere behind when taking 21f Fakenham mares' handicap in March. However, she has followed that with a couple of poor efforts, including at Fontwell on Thursday, and she doesn't boast the most convincing of profiles.

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