11th-Jan-2014

Uncle Jimmy ran a really nice race to get as close as he did to Kangaroo Court on his reappearance at Newton Abbot. There were only six runners and the pace was modest, so he did well to stay right in the mix around the home turn, having appeared as though he was getting a little outpaced leaving the back straight, and he kept on well all the way to the line. He jumped the last two flights well, and he made the winner dig deep up the run-in, after it had appeared that he was going to win easily.

That race was run over two miles and six furlongs, and Uncle Jimmy left the impression that he would improve for stepping up to three miles. That view has been reinforced with both of his two subsequent runs. On both occasions (in good races at Aintree and Cheltenham) he kept on really well to be placed in decent handicaps over around two and a half miles. He won two novice hurdles last season on soft ground, and this will be the first time he has raced on ground that is softer than good this season, so that could bring about even further improvement.

He has edged up the handicap with each of his three runs this season, but the combination of a step up in trip and much softer ground could lead to greater improvement. Also, he has the useful 10lb claimer Thomas Cheesman on board for the first time today. 10lb is a lot of weight off a horse’s back in any race, but it is especially valuable over three miles and a furlong on testing ground. It means that Uncle Jimmy will have just 10st 1lb to carry today. He could run a big race, and 9/1 looks big.

UNCLE JIMMY WON (ADV 9/1, SP 15/2)