Sunray Shadow (15:42 Uttoxeter — Class 2 Handicap Chase, 3m)
A seven-year-old trained by Dan Skelton — in red-hot form at 32% over the last fortnight — and partnered by Harry Skelton, who has a brilliant 66% win rate on him across nine rides together. Sunray Shadow is a horse rapidly finding his feet over fences, winning both his chase starts this season, including here at Uttoxeter on 15 July by 4 lengths at 5/4 favourite. He returns just eleven days later to the same course and distance, steps up to Class 2, and arrives with a 100% record over fences and a 100% course and distance record.
The key questions are whether the quick turnaround and rise in class will be a concern — but the Skelton yard doesn’t run horses when they’re not right and Harry retaining the ride says everything. The main danger is The Flying Poet, who has Sean Bowen aboard, but he runs fresh from a wind operation which is always a risk.
Verdict: Back to win at 9/4 — in-form yard, proven at course and distance, and connections clearly believe he has more to give. 🏇
