Survivor all set to prevail at Uttoxeter

Born Survivor can get back on the winning trail in the Clarke Chase at Uttoxeter tomorrow.

The 10-year-old was firmly up against it on his most recent outing, taking on an inform Frodon in the Grade Two Oaksey Chase at Sandown on the final day of the season.

Born Survivor proved no match for the winner and narrow runner-up Mister Fisher there, coming home a further 10 and a half lengths back in third – which was no surprise, given he was clearly disadvantaged by the conditions of the race. He had previously run out an impressive winner at Stratford for Dan and Harry Skelton, triumphing by 14 lengths off a mark of 135 on his favoured good ground.

Hiked 9lb for that, he is on a perch of 144, but that is still 8lb below his career high of 152 back in 2019 – and while he is getting no younger, Born Survivor is still a fair operator at this kind of level.

Flinteur Sacre carries a huge burden of expectation as a full-brother to two-mile legend Sprinter Sacre – and while he has failed to live up to those hopes so far, his moment can come in the Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Handicap Hurdle.

The six-year-old was a bumper winner for Nicky Henderson last term and was a short-priced favourite to get off the mark over hurdles at the first attempt at Newbury back in November, but he ran into a very smart horse in My Drogo and was firmly put in his place in fourth.

He was far too keen, though, that day – and his hurdling was not brilliant – and while his jumping improved slightly when next seen at Doncaster, he again took a strong hold and gave his rider little chance of settling him.

Flinteur Sacre was a little more tractable on his most recent outing at Kempton, sitting last and giving his rivals a fair headstart, while his jumping improved as he went along. He had every chance at the top of the straight. But his effort petered out, and Nico de Boinville was certainly not hard on him when his chance had gone.

Sprinter Sacre was rated as high as 188 in his pomp, so Flinteur Sacre’s starting mark of 109 perfectly illustrates the gulf between the siblings. But that is a very workable rating, and H end er son’ s charge is not without ability.

The Bull McCabe is one to follow as he kicks off over fences in the Watch Free Race Replays On attheraces.com Novices’ Chase. A winning point-to-pointer, The Bull McCabe was twice a hurdles winner for Kim Bailey last season, returning clear-cut verdicts at Stratford in both October and April. That second win came in a match race – and although he looked like being tapped for speed by the marginal favourite, his stamina really kicked in and he sticks at the same trip for his first attempt over fences.