The ability to handle soft/heavy ground will be of paramount importance at Uttoxeter and Warwick today. There are no fears on that score with Passenger Omar (3.10) at Warwick, and with his good track record -- three wins from four starts here -- Noel Chance's runner has strong claims. He has been off the track for a while but goes well when fresh and he won the 3m2f novice chase on this card first time out last year. Fairly handicapped compared with his hurdles rating, he has lots in his favour.
On his hurdles form, Overstrand comes out best in the two-mile novice chase at Warwick, but in the conditions the proven jumping ability of William Bonney (1.40) makes Charlie Mann's runner the better bet. The stable is going well at present.
Conditions will be even more testing on the chase course at Uttoxeter, but heavy ground brings out the best in Alfasonic (1.30) and Alan King's seven-year-old will come on for his latest run, just as he has done in the past two seasons.
