Haling Park runs at Uttoxeter - Richard Johnson rides!

Haling Park has been declared at Uttoxeter on Sunday, with Richard Johnson (pictured) set to take the ride.

Richard received 63% of the vote, and hopefully he will be able to give Haling Park some confidence over her hurdles.  She has schooled well at home, but then that was the case at Gary Moore's and yet she failed to complete on two occasions at the racecourse.

Twenty-three rivals declared for the 2m contest, however because of the large number of runners across the card, this was cut down to twelve in order to meet BHA requirements regarding stabling of runners, and though this is something we at Select Racing don't really approve of, on this occasion it can only be a good thing for Haling Park!

A ballot for owners badges is now open, and will close on Saturday afternoon.  Please send an email to nathaniel.barnett@select-racing-club.co.uk if you would like a badge for Uttoxeter.

Please see below a form guide for the race:

Three Ships - Winner off this mark at Ludlow in October.  All winning over hurdles has been on right-handed tracks but has placed here on three of five starts, including last time out over a longer trip than ideal, signalling a return to form.  Likely to run his race, but probably only place claims.

General Smith - Infrequent winner who was last successful over three years ago.  Went close off 4lbs lower here in May but well-held back here off this mark two weeks later.  11yo now, but a return to form would see him go close.

Hoar Frost - Moderat on the flat for Mick Channon and over hurdles for previous connections but went close to making a winning debut for yard that does well with this type over CD three weeks ago. Winner won again off 7lbs higher next time out and there was 23 lengths back to the third that day, so every chance off just 4lbs higher here with McCoy booked.

Shipboard Romance - Consistent over hurdles in 08/09 but form had tailed off prior to springing surprise win here in May (General Smith second).  Couldn't cope with rise in the weights at Stratford next time and beaten on the flat off 46 ten days ago.  Can't be totally ruled out, but being by Captain Rio this ground is a worry (well-held only start over hurdles on good to firm). 

Mix N Match - Ready winner at Wincanton in December on debut for Jimmy Frost, but failed to build on that until running-out when in with every chance in a claiming hurdle at Newton Abbot on penultimate start. Claimed by current connections for £5,000, but won't be recouping that any time soon on evidence of first run for them, well-held over 2m4f at Worcester a month ago.  Drop back to 2m should help but others much preferred.

Shannersburg - Didn't achieve much last summer over hurdles for David Pipe, and though he won a 12f seller on the AW over the winter, connections opted to move him to yard having a great year.  Not one to go overboard about but could go well on debut for new yard after six months off.

Boo - Once pretty smart on the flat (certainly the best of these by some way) for Karl Burke but lost his way and fact that he is winless since 2005 suggests he isn't a backable proposition.  Well-handicapped even on a couple of his jumps runs, but hard to see him winning.

Billy Beetroot - Dual winner on the flat over 5/6f last summer.  Very surprising therefore that he has a 2nd at Towcester to his name (on penultimate start), but that came in a dreadful five-runner claiming hurdle and he finished last back in selling company last time.  Very hard to fancy.

Mujamead - Was winning off 111 in a much higher grade than this 18 months ago (for Tony Carroll), but gone downhill since and only of good efforts to his name in recent times (having changed trainer three times in a year), best when 3rd at Worcester over 2m4f off 2lbs lower last month on debut for new yard.  Since well-held here over 2m5f but ran well to a point and drop back in trip should suit. 

Rince Donn - Not won over hurdles since 2006, remains 2lbs higher and all form is on a softer surface.  Yard's jumpers been going OK this season but likely to struggle all the same.

HALING PARK

Racingisdreaming - Bred to be a fair bit better than this, being a half-brother to Group winner Cat Junior, and fair performer himself on the flat in France at 2, but struggled over hurdles in this country, first for Lucinda Russell and on latest three starts for current connections.   Tailed-off on recent handicap debut and yard struggling for winners of late (with the obvious exception being their Royal Ascot winner!). Only of interest if the money comes.

Verdict:  Doubts about most of these, and if Hoar Frost can reproduce her latest effort here (on debut for her current yard) she would be the likeliest winner. 

Haling Park has been in good form at Tim's but she always worked well at Gary Moore's too, so it is anyone's guess how she will get on. Tim does feel that she is gradually settling down and hopefully an improved run awaits.  However, the most important thing is to get her jumping and enjoying herself, and Richard Johnson will certainly have earned his riding fee if he manages that!  Both Tim and I agree that the problem isn't a lack of ability, and therefore I couldn't rule her out, but I wouldn't advise any big bets!