Racing tips: Hurricane Harvey will sweep them all aside in the opener at Uttoxeter

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Monday was the fourth consecutive day of not getting a winner, the worst run I've had in the past four months. This game is swings and roundabouts so I do only believe it's a blip.

Touching on the runners. Smart Lass travelled into the race nicely but lacked the gears to challenge the winners, and even those who finished ahead. The winner drifted markedly but won nicely. I had concerns about the ground and the form of the yard, but he put both of those to bed.

Chanceanotherfive jumped well from the front in his race, but got tired when jumping three from home. Once again, the winner did it nicely and enjoyed the step up in trip.

Uttoxeter 11:55

Though HURRICANE HARVEY‘s form has been fairly dire over the last 12 months I still expected to see him be installed as the favourite, so to see him at odds of 13/2 does surprise me and at those kind of prices I will be more than happy enough to play him.

His form has took a bit of a nose dive in recent times, but this horse was fairly useful at the start of his career. He has won four times and been placed many more times, including a 3rd in a Grade 3 behind McFabulous. I wouldn't really class his Grade 2 win as being a legit win as the form of that race stinks, but he did beat Emitom over fences a few races before that, and that horse was once well-fancied for big races at Cheltenham.

He did get quite a stiff handicap mark due to his wins and good runs and that saw him punished in handicaps. As his rating was declining he started to run some better races, including a 3rd at Newbury and a 6th at Haydock. He's only been seen twice this season which resulted in a PU and an 8th/18 at Cheltenham. 8th doesn't sound great but that was over 2m 5f and he did appear to be running on strongly in the last furlong, where he went past a few beaten horses. Also, that race was full of Irish horses who are notoriously known for being well-handicapped, so on the whole I thought it was a decent run and somewhat return to form.

I don't think this race is spectacular and he is the class horse in the race, hence why is he carrying top weight. Jack Hogan is having a nice season so far, which is unsurprising as he is riding for a top yard in Fergal O'Brien, who is in top-form. Jack takes off 6lbs which is very handy and off that type of weight means he is effectively running off a mark of 114 I think he could run a big race on ground which should be perfect and over a more suitable trip.

A couple to mention:

Sacre Coeur – 6lb claimer will help and looks on an OK mark but doesn't jump hurdles that great (prone to a mistake) 2 falls in 6 runs for the yard. Might be better over shorter.

Alkopop – I can see why is popular in the market but he has done all of his winning on soft ground, which he shouldn't get today. Is probably on a decent handicap mark and return was a good effort.

HURRICANE HARVEY WAS BACKED INTO 7/2 AFTER THE WRITE-UP UNFORTUNATELY

Fontwell 2:05

I was a big fan of how LE CAMELEON won at Warwick at the start of October, and based on that I think he is worth a shot in this.

He actually beat my selection in the race, Northern Bound who I was very sweet on his chances, which is a good sign. Northern Bound then went on to win his next race, being as well-handicapped as I thought. Le Cameleon jumped well from the front that day and battled on strongly showing plenty of character, which will bode well in this race which is a competitive affair.

I think this kind of track will be right up his street. A tight track which suits quick and nimble types is good around Fontwell and to Warwick. He has already won at this venue and at the age of 7 I think there's more improvement to come. He won off the back of a 173-day absence and has won when fresh the time before so the small break he has been given isn't a concern as it's something he has been appreciating.

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