As well as having previewed the Midlands National ante-post earlier this month, Matty Sutcliffe has three more value punts to complete Cheltenham Festival week at Kempton and Uttoxeter.
1:50 Uttoxeter – JenningsBet 200 Shops Nationwide Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) (4yo+ 0-130) – Blenkinsop 10/1 1pt WIN
BLENKINSOP was entitled to blow up late on at Wetherby last time out when returning from a 659 day layoff, but he showed enough spark to suggest there’s scope for improvement with that effort behind him.
The son of Westerner went 4/4 in handicaps in the 22/23 season, rising from a mark of 104 to 131 and culminating with a 23L defeat in grade one company at the Aintree festival. His latest success was a comfortable four length win in a class two at Newbury having made smooth progress throughout and winning a shade cosily under hands and heels.
Now a pound below that mark, should he retain all ability then he can prove leniently treated for the in form Henry Daly yard, who are 33-10-19 (£18.50+) in Uttoxeter handicaps over the last five seasons.
2:25 Uttoxeter – Jenningsbet Handicap Hurdle (Gbb Race) (Class 2) (4yo+ 0-150) – Strackan 18/1 1pt EW 5 places
It’s a tough place to make all at Exeter and STRACKAN perhaps did too much in front, having led the field until two out prior to weakening with the first three home all suited by their general track position in rear/midfield. Prior to that, he was progressing well and was a 3pt winner for the column at Cheltenham on new years day with the fourth and sixth winning competitive class two events since. That was an authoritative performance and he seemed suited by receiving a lead for the majority of the race as opposed to making all, drawing away in dominant fashion.
The son of Blue Bresil was a winner at Uttoxeter earlier on in the season under David Bass and the return here can see him go 4/4 in left handed handicaps this term to hopefully give Henry Daly a Midlands double.
2:45 Kempton – Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+ 0-145) – Classic King 6/1 1.5pt WIN
Emma Lavelle has been profitable to follow at Kempton in the last ve seasons with a £57.50+ return to a £1 in course handicap hurdles, and CLASSIC KING shaped as if the return to this 2m5f would very much suit having stayed on strongly behind Altobelli at Ascot last time out.
The return to hurdling this season saw him easily win by six lengths at Doncaster in January with the second beaten three lengths in the Imperial Cup next time out and the fourth nishing a length closer to Saint Anapolino next time out, who heads the market here.
His Kempton form reads 422 including a C&D second, and the return to this flatter track can see him run well off an unchanged mark.
