The entries are in for the 2021 bet365 Summer Cup, and what a field it could be!
The field is headed by 151 rated Talkischeap – Previous bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase winner at Sandown. After having a break since his Grand National run in April he came a close 2nd in the bet365 Sam Morshead Perth Gold Cup Handicap Chase at the beginning of the month. Could he go one better in the bet365 Summer Cup? He seems to run well in bet365 sponsored races!
Next up is 148 rated Pym. It would be his first run for new connections – now trained by Oliver Greenall for Ratkatcha Racing (previously Nicky Henderson for Patricia Pugh, the owner of Altior). Will the change of scene have perked him up for a summer campaign?
144 rated Lock’s Corner is next for Jonjo O’Neill and JP Macmanus who celebrated success at this year’s Midlands National with Time To Get Up. Lock’s Corner is a very consistent and progressive horse who has notched 4 wins from 6 starts over fences – a fantastic strike rate.
Minellacelebration rated 142, and last year’s Summer Cup winner! He followed that up with a win in a Class 2 Chase at Aintree. Since then he has had some unfortunate runs but not done anything wrong – he stumbled and unseated in the Grand National this year when travelling well at the time. He enjoys himself at Uttoxeter having won 3 out of 4 races that he has run in here including both the Summer Plate and the Summer Cup. At 11, he is now a veteran but has shown no sign of wanting to stop yet.
The striking 139 rated Solomon Grey is another Uttoxeter specialist entered. He has won 3 of his 4 chasing starts here, only narrowly beaten in the Summer Plate in May by a horse carrying a stone less. He runs for Dan Skelton who has an excellent strike rate and was last season’s top trainer at the track.
The lovely progressive Back On The Lash. His last run was here in a very competitive Novices’ Chase – he won carrying a 6lb penalty and put up a super jumping performance. He is a very interesting candidate for the Martin Keighley team (who have been flying recently with multiple doubles) and Mr Boothwright.
The small but mighty Little Bruce is another interesting entry for new connections. It would be his first run for Charlie Longsdon having been a very successful horse in the North. Bruce is lucky to be 15hh but he has completed the Cross Country race at Cheltenham demonstrating his excellent jumping ability around some big and challenging obstacles.
