Uxizandre set to stamp his authority in classy Shloer lineup
The final day of the meeting welcomes a prominent milestone for top two mile chasers in the Shloer Chase. The midweek withdrawal of last year’s Champion Chase victor Sire de Grudy has opened the race up drastically, leaving just 6 to line up in this neat looking contest.
Heading the lineup is the Tom George trained Module, who was last seen finishing well down the field in the Old Roan Chase, over a distance in which we have never seen him at his best. Back to 2m and with a run under his belt we should see a much better showing from this consistent performer. Reading back through his previous form, it is easy to him being involved at the last here: with a 3rd in last season’s champion chase over C&D being the most prominent. There was little to choose between Module and Dodging Bullets at Newbury last time they met, with Module edging it by a neck. He was in receipt of 3lb that day, so it wouldn’t be a huge shock to see the form reversed; taking into consideration the 8lb flip in weights.
The Nicholls trained Dodging Bullets has also been confirmed to line up in the feature race on Sunday, coming off the back of a disappointing show in Novice Company at Aintree last season. There is little to suggest that Dodging Bullets has progressed enough to give the top in the betting anything to worry about, although Nicholls has been on record in saying he is currently working very well at home in his annual stable visits. This 6-year old has seen 3 wins from 6 at Cheltenham which bodes well in comparison to others without course form, and the addition of Daryl Jacob in the saddle can only enhance his chances. The testing conditions that Cheltenham are likely to play a big part in the race however and Dodging Bullets best performances have come on a much quicker surface, so this has to be considered in the buildup.
Fresh out of Novice Chasing, Simply Ned is the progressive Nicky Richards 7-year old that was last seen winning comfortably in a quality handicap at Kelso. Although this is a huge step up in class and there will be will learn a lot from his run on Sunday, but there is likely to be more to come from this attractive proposition.
Uxizandre is a very interesting entry form the Alan King yard, coming into the race from an impressive 2nd in the JLT Novice Chase at the festival and more recently a respective 4th in the Old Roan Chase. This progressive chaser also trumped well-regarded Oscar Whisky last season over his much loved distance of 2m 4f, so there is surely more to come from this lightly raced gelding. The nature of the race means that Uxizandre receives 5lb from Module which is not to be sniffed at, especially when match fitness plays such a huge part so early in the season.
Lancetto and Poole Master make up the rest of the field in this competitive renewal, each with snippets form that could see them up there jumping the last. It wouldn’t come as a shock to see one of the top 3 in the betting landing the spoils here with the Uxizandre looking the pick of them on form.
