The five-runner veterans chase at Uttoxeter (2.40pm) looks a winnable race and though he needs to improve on recent efforts, Fingerontheswitch is overpriced to do so.
Four of the five of these have been struggling of late, with favourite Creative Inerta the exception, but he has never been easy to win with, his Stratford success in May coming in the stewards’ room, and with a 2-20 record in the pointing field. He may well still win, but that recent third at Exeter came in a 0-110, and behind an out-of-form winner, so he’s no good thing.
Neil Muholland runs two, which muddies the waters somewhat, but Fingerontheswitch was a good bit in front of his stablemate on similar terms when eighth of 17 in the Grade 3 handicap chase at Kempton Park in February (formerly the Racing Post Chase), and he is now 25lbs lower.
He had a wind op in early September and the improvement from his first run back (when pulled up at Chepstow) to his second (fourth at Wetherby three weeks ago) suggests that first one may have been needed, so it is reasonable to expect another step forward after a better effort last time.
He ran well enough at Wetherby to suggest he could now be going the right way again, albeit at a much lower level than when at his peak, and won’t find many better opportunities than today’s race.
2.40pm Uttoxeter – 1pt win Fingerontheswitch @ 5-1 (all firms)