DEMACHINE LIVES US UP TO HIS NAME

Paul Ferguson has spotted a race that it’s really paying to follow

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I want to start this month’s article by highlighting a piece of form which has been working out extremely well in the early part of the season. The race was a novices’ handicap chase at Uttoxeter, won by Kerry Lee’s Demachine, who was lightly-raced over hurdles and made no mistake in this competitive 18-runner affair.

Since then, Morning Vicar (2nd), Canelo (11th) and Maypole Class (15th) have all won, while Northofthewall (4th) and Checkout (5th) were fallers when running big races next time. Mahlervous (9th) was beaten a neck by Sevarano at Sandown, Eden du Houx (10th) ran reasonably well in a good contest at Exeter won by Ofalltheginjoints (also looks a name for the notebook), Terrierman (16th) finished runner-up next time, and Killer Clown (UR) ran much better than the finishing position would suggest on his next start. All in all, it looks an absolutely rock-solid piece of form and the winner will be interesting – despite a 10lbs rise in the weights – next time.

He held an entry in mid-November at Sedgefield, though I suspect he might be capable of running in a decent handicap at some stage.

Another couple to watch out for in the coming weeks are Young Bull, who ran a sound race in third and will appreciate further, and Minella Bobo, who was having his first start for 18 months and ran well for a long way. I’m quite pleased that Rebecca Curtis hasn’t rushed him back out, and down a further 3lbs, he will be of huge interest in a novices’ handicap somewhere during the coming weeks.