Saturday Preview: Uttoxeter, Auteuil and Sha Tin

Sky Sports Racing serves up an international Saturday with coverage from Uttoxeter, Auteuil and Sha Tin.

1.17 Uttoxeter — Aworkinprogress aims to stay unbeaten over fences

Aworkinprogress has thrived since switching to larger obstacles, winning all four starts over fences and carrying top weight in the Birrificio Angelo Poretti Handicap Chase. Nick Gifford’s six-year-old began life over fences off a mark of 96 and has climbed 25lb, starting the season on 121. He goes up in trip for this seasonal return and looks the sort to keep improving through the winter.

Neil Mulholland’s Broomfields Cave, who landed a Newton Abbot contest on his second start over fences in June, is a big danger off the same rating. Bretney, Gold Emery and Gold Clermont complete the quintet and provide further options for the shortlist.

1.52 Uttoxeter — Passing Kate and Blacksamssenorita set for mares’ chase clash

The Eaton Hall Shooting Ground Mares’ Handicap Chase features a small but select field headed by Passing Kate. Matt Shepherd’s mare is two from three since trying fences, most recently triumphing in a competitive Chepstow race in February. She returns after a 266-day break and drops back to the minimum trip, with the potential to have improved over the layoff.

Blacksamssenorita represents the Joe Tizzard and Brendan Powell team and makes her chasing debut after showing promise over hurdles, where she recorded one success from five starts. Tom Ellis’s Brucio, now dropping in class and partnered by Jack Andrews, should not be discounted.

12.42 Uttoxeter — Queenofthejukebox looks an exciting hurdling recruit

Queenofthejukebox makes her hurdling bow in the Carlsberg Britvic Mares’ National Hunt Maiden Hurdle. Noel Williams’ five-year-old produced a strong bumper campaign, winning two of four starts and finishing a respectable fifth at Listed level. She’s an intriguing prospect and will be popular to make a winning start with Brendan Powell taking the ride.

Harmony Heights could be the principal threat after running on strongly to finish third on her hurdling debut at Chepstow for Fergal O’Brien; Tom Broughton is jockeying. Cool Brise and Briery Rose are considered the best of the remainder.

Best of the rest at Uttoxeter

• 2.27: Jasmine d’Airy delivered a career-best performance when bolting up at Plumpton last time and looks a likely type to fire on her seasonal reappearance for Harry Derham.
• 3.37: Rathkenny, who beat a subsequent bumper winner when winning on his Point-to-Point debut, is an interesting recruit for Neil Mulholland.

2.50 Auteuil — Grade One Prix Serge Landon / Grand Prix d’Automne

Auteuil’s big day features the Grade One Prix Serge Landon — Grand Prix d’Automne, with Losange Bleu heading the market after an impressive Auteuil performance last month. The French card also includes a pair of Group Two contests, providing high-quality action on the day.

Sha Tin

Hong Kong’s Sha Tin meeting completes the international line-up, bringing fast-paced top-class racing to the Sky Sports Racing schedule. Expect depth and competitiveness across the card as local and international contenders tackle the track.

Summary

Saturday’s coverage blends strong British jump racing prospects at Uttoxeter with high-class French contests at Auteuil and a competitive Sha Tin card in Hong Kong, offering plenty of variety and a number of compelling stories to follow throughout the day.