Uttoxeter preview: Lots to like about Beau Lake

David Metcalf | December 8, 2015

Beau Lake shaped better than the bare result on seasonal reappearance and can take advantage of a drop in class to get back on the winning trail in the 2m handicap hurdle on today’s card at Uttoxeter (13.20).

The Suzy Smith trained gelding was in good form at this time last year when landing back-to-back class 3 contests in the mud at Fontwell.

In the last of those successes, Beau Lake dug deep and battled on well to beat Cappielow Park by a neck off a mark of 113.

The 11-year-old was then off the track for 330 days before reappearing in a class 3 contest at Haydock last month where he shaped as if badly in need of the outing, tracking the leaders until weakening two from home to finish a 14 1/4 length seventh of eight to Baby King off a mark of 120.

Beau Lake has since been dropped 2lb to 118, and taking into account the 5lb claim of jockey Harry Bannister is racing off the same mark as last successful.

It gives the son of Heron Island every chance at the weights, and another plus is that Beau Lake has won second time up in the last two seasons.

With underfoot conditions holding no fears, a big run looks assured now that Beau Lake drops down a grade into class 4 company.

It’s A Long is no long-shot for 2m 4f handicap hurdle

In the 2m 4f handicap hurdle (13.20), It’s A Long looks decent value to turn over the red-hot favourite Baywing now stepped back up in trip.

The Tim Dennis trained gelding was in fine form back in February, landing a 2m 1f contest on soft ground at Exeter off a mark of 95 before following up on bottomless ground over 2m 3f at Uttoxeter when staying on strongly to score by a length off 102.