Race of the Day 
/ Timeform / 25 June 2011 / Leave a Comment It's Summer National day at Uttoxeter on Sunday
"Peter Bowen can do little wrong at present, so his Ballyvesey deserves a place on the shortlist, but last-time-out winners Keenan's Future and Dom d'Orgeval are still well treated on old form..."
Timeform look at the contenders for one of the highlights of the summer jumps season....
Ouzbeck was back to best once sent back over fences last year by current trainer, winning this race off 1 lb lower mark. Jumped poorly in Scottish equivalent in April, but can't be ruled out.
Grand Slam Hero's form took off on rejoining this yard last year, winning Summer Plate at Market Rasen and quite valuable event at Ffos Las. Preparation for this not ideal having failed to complete last 2 starts.
The Last Derby won a valuable 3m Ascot handicap chase in 2009 and back to that sort of level when runner-up at Cork last month. Effective at this trip, but career best needed off this mark.
Gonebeyondrecall is a dual chase winner around 2½m last summer and sound efforts completed starts over fences since (fourth in the Topham). Recent spin over hurdles will have put him spot on, but trip a big unknown.
Brooklyn Brownie is usually a sound jumper, but not at his very best in 3 starts this year, fifth at Perth when last seen in April. Done all his winning over shorter, and others more persuasive.
Cornish Sett is a quirky stayer (can race lazily) not the force of old, but regained some spark around the turn of the year, winning at Wincanton. Trip holds no fears, but let down by attitude/jumping since.
Simply Smashing produced a career-best effort when making all in Durham National at Sedgefield in April, and hasn't needed to get near that level to add to that twice since (including over hurdles). This test lot different.
Dom d'Orgeval is a graded winner over hurdles, and snapped a losing sequence lasting over 4 years when last seen at Haydock in April. New mark shouldn't be a problem, so one to take seriously.
Gone To Lunch has always had plenty of stamina, runner-up in 2 Scottish Nationals in his prime. Hard to be too positive about after what he's done this year but handicapper has given him every chance.
Mizen Raven has been round the houses over the years, but rejoined Peter Bowen and back to winning ways at Cartmel last July. Failed to add to that in 2010, and raced too freely on return at Aintree.
Commemoration Day is a temperamental sort who initially turned the corner upon joining Charlie Longsdon, winning twice at Stratford in spring. Quickly back to old ways, and too high in the weights now anyway.
Presentandcorrect was successful twice over fences last summer, and made a promising start to this campaign when runner-up at Aintree last month. Below form at same course 2 weeks ago, and not one to rely on.
Ballyvesey got back to winning ways when making all in 3m Ffos Las novice chase in April. Just a respectable effort 12 days later, but back in handicap on handy mark and yard can do little wrong at present.
Sea Wall is a front runner who was better than ever when landing 2 staying handicaps last summer. Best effort this year when fourth at Stratford last month, which makes him of interest fitted with cheekpieces.
Keenan's Future is a useful chaser at best and, having showed he retains plenty of ability in hunters earlier in year, took advantage of a lenient mark at Aintree 2 weeks ago. Trip is fine, and a lot in his favour.
Knighton Combe won 4 races in 2009 and retained plenty of ability last year. More miss than hit this time round, running poorly in cheekpieces last time, and no surprise that aid is dispensed with.
The King of Angels is a useful handicap chaser on his day, as shown when finishing runner-up in this race in 2009. Left Jonjo O'Neill after, and beaten several times in points this year before winning last month.
Surenaga has never been the most consistent. Right back to best in military events at Sandown this spring, but changed yards since falling 3 out in valuable hunter last month, and this looks too tough.
Timeform 1-2-3
1. Keenan's Future
2. Dom d'Orgeval
3. Ballyvesey
Timeform's View: Peter Bowen can do little wrong at present, so his Ballyvesey deserves a place on the shortlist, but last-time-out winners Keenan's Future and Dom d'Orgeval are still well treated on old form and look the pair to concentrate on.
Epsom Derby second and third Treasure Beach and Carlton House are set to renew rivalry at the Curragh on Sunday, but who will come out on top?......
Timeform run the rule over the Pitmen's Derby......
Timeform go through the runners for the Gosforth Park Cup......
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