Minella Blueway continues progression at Uttoxeter

Minella Blueway took another step in the right direction when winning the JenningsBet Novices’ Handicap Chase at Uttoxeter.

Evan Williams’ seven-year-old prevailed at Ludlow on his last start, taking a small-field handicap by 16 lengths as only two horses finished.

Up 4lb for that, he was a 13-2 chance under Adam Wedge and came out on top after doing battle with Eyed, the 11-4 favourite, in the closing stages.

“He’s taken a little while to get to grips with fences, but he seems to be getting more and more confidence,” said Wedge.

“Janet Davies has been with Evan since I’ve been there and she’s a fantastic supporter of ours, it’s brilliant to have lovely horses for her.”

Ben Pauling’s The Jukebox Kid made a neat debut when taking the JenningsBet “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle under David Bass.

The six-year-old was sent off at 4-1 on his first run under rules, though he did come into the race with some experience having landed a point to point by 16 lengths as a five-year-old.

His debut was a pleasing one as he crossed the line three-quarters of a length ahead of the runner-up, who was in turn 14 lengths ahead of the third-placed horse.

“I really enjoyed that, I’ve ridden him a lot at home as I’ve been going to Ben’s once a week,” Bass told Sky Sports Racing.

“He’s a racehorse, when the other one came to me he picked up again. He’s still plenty green enough so there’ll be more improvement to come.

“Ben has said all along that there’s something about this horse, he’s a racehorse and even going down to the start I thought he knew what he was here for.”