Haydock and Uttoxeter previews: Lexington to put rivals in their Place

That makes Jolievitesse dangerously well-treated on the pick of his form, and there was lots to like about his latest effort when fourth of 20 to Appeared in a competitive contest at York.

The son of Elusive City was forced to drop into midfield from a horribly wide draw in stall 16, but made stealthy headway three form home to hold every chance until being unable to find any extra deep inside the final furlong and be beaten 3 1/2 lengths.

It was a cracking effort given how the race panned out, and this looks far less competitive and a nice opportunity for Jolievitesse to secure a long overdue success.

Haydock selections

18.45: Merchant Of Medici
19.15: Forgiving Flower
19.45: Looting
20.15: Heisman
20.45: Lexington Place (NAP)
21.15: Jolievitesse (NB)

Punters can be on Easy Street at Uttoxeter

Easy Street bolted up on chasing debut and can make light of a penalty to follow-up in the 2m 4f novices’ handicap chase on this evening’s card at Uttoxeter (18:35).

The Jonjo O’Neill trained gelding showed steadily progressive form over hurdles before toying with his rivals to score by 15 lengths at Fontwell eight days ago when switched to the larger obstacles.

After being held-up at the rear of the field under a confident Aidan Coleman, Easy Street cruised into contention four from home.

Coleman then sat motionless as he produced the six-year-old to lead at the last, and Easy Street stretched clear to win with any amount in hand and make a mockery of his handicap mark of 105.

It was a performance which suggested Easy Street was miles ahead of the assessor and needed keeping firmly onside, and it’s no surprise to see him turned out quickly under a 7lb penalty.

The son of High Chaparral is due to race off a revised rating of 120 in future engagements, so is 8lb “well-in” at the weights in this off 112 and going to be very hard to beat granted a clear round.

Big Sound to call the tune

In the 3m handicap chase (19:35), Big Sound holds leading claims at the weights of landing back-to-back successes in the contest.

The Mark Walford trained nine-year-old gained his last success in this race 12 months ago when only having to be driven out to score by four lengths off a mark of 108.

Big Sound is now able to race off 2lb lower and comes into this year’s renewal on the back of two cracking runner-up efforts.

After being beaten 1/2 a length in a 14-runner affair at Hexham, the gelding looked all over the winner at Market Rasen until getting chinned close to home and beaten a neck.

Those runs suggest that Big Sound is right at the top of his game at present and, with underfoot conditions in his favour, the son of Supreme Sound can make the most of the weight he receives from all his rivals to land the spoils.

Uttoxeter selections

17.30: Lookslikerainted
18.05: Red Tornado
18.35: Easy Street (NAP)
19.05: Neworld
19.35: Big Sound (NB)
20.05: Mrs Burbidge
20.35: The Mythologist
21.05: Miss Beatrice

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