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Raceday LIVE – Lady Mendoza
Uttoxeter,
Wed 16 Jul 2025 17:10
Related horse(s):
Lady Mendoza
Lady Mendoza makes the journey south to Uttoxeter this afternoon for their final race on the card, as she runs in the Class 5 Mares' Handicap Hurdle over 2m7½f (17:10).
Read our Raceday LIVE Preview below and join us ahead of the race for all the build-up and live updates from the track across our social channels on X (@CRCofficial) and Instagram (@coralofficial).
Raceday LIVE Preview
Lady Mendoza moves away from Cartmel for the first time in three runs this afternoon, as she heads down to the Midlands for a step up in trip at Uttoxeter. Having stayed on late in both of her previous races, Rebecca Menzies made the decision to send her over a longer distance for today's run, with the thinking that she won't be caught on her heels when the pace begins to quicken.
So far in Lady Mendoza's career, aside from her debut back in November 2022, she's generally recorded her best Racing Post Ratings (RPR) over extended distances including 3m1½f, so it definitely makes sense for her to have another go over further. The extra distance should allow her more time to get into a rhythm and could be even more important for when she finds her second wind towards the backend of the contest.
WATCH: Brian Hughes reflects on Lady Mendoza's second run at Cartmel this year
Brian Hughes agreed with the sentiment following the race and given he's ridden her five times, including both efforts this year, the three-time Champion Jumps Jockey is well positioned to be able to give an honest assessment of her ability and how to get the most out of her on course.
Lady Mendoza's Owners for the Day at Cartmel with Rebecca Menzies and Brian Hughes last month
William Maggs takes the ride for the first time today, claiming five pounds off of the back of Lady Mendoza, which could prove to be valuable, as she's carrying the third most weight in the race this afternoon. Midnight Gold carries top weight in the contest, with the maximum rating in the field of 100 but has the help of a seven pound claim from jockey Harriet Tucker, who won the Foxhunters' at the Cheltenham Festival in 2018. The only other horse rated higher than Lady Mendoza is Killybegs Jet Lady, a ten race maiden under rules, and she also has five pounds being taken off her back by Alan Doyle.
There are no former course and distance winners in the field, however Barely Famous has won both at Uttoxeter and over this trip on separate occasions in the past. She arrives to the midlands track this afternoon after having her first run under rules in almost two years at the end of June, where she finished a solid fourth at Worcester. Belladinotte is likely to be in contention come the end of the race, having scored her first win at Hexham last time out for trainer Sara Ender and jockey Harry Bannister, who takes the reins again today.
Raceday update from Rebecca Menzies
"Lady Mendoza has run really well at Uttoxeter before, in what was definitely a better race than the one she's in today. There's a few consistent enough performers at this level in the field, with Lady Mendoza being one of them.
In her last two races at Cartmel, Lady Mendoza has shaped as though she would appreciate a step up in trip, with Brian Hughes struggling to pull her up after the line having picked up in the closing stages of the race.
She's more than capable of winning at this level, but as we know it's hard to get her to focus on the job at hand until she starts passing tired horses, at which point she tends to pick up.
Hopefully we can get her to sit comfortably on the outside of the field, as opposed to along the rail, to allow her some space to pass other horses on the track earlier in the race. She might gain some confidence by being allowed to do this.
Will Maggs takes a handy five pounds off, he's ridden plenty of winners for me in the past and is good form right now. Hopefully he'll be able to get her into the race and she'll appreciate a conditional taking off a bit of weight rather than having to carry more with a professional like Brian Hughes or Nathan Moscrop onboard.
If she puts her best foot forward, she's got every chance of hitting the frame. Good luck all!"
Chris Dixon, Racing TV analyst, looks over Lady Mendoza's contest at Uttoxeter this afternoon and gives his verdict on the race
Lady Mendoza was was below form when sent off favourite at Cartmel last month, failing to build on what had been a more encouraging run on her previous start at the same track. There was little to like about that latest performance as she showed little enthusiasm from an early stage and I’d be concerned it’s going to be a similar story again. I remain of the opinion that Lady Mendoza runs her best races when fresh off a bit of a break, as was the case with that penultimate start, and with a 19-day turnaround looking quick enough given her overall profile, I’m struggling to see why she will perform much differently here to last time. If things do click, then for all she’s yet to win a race, she does look capable of making an impact but I have serious doubts about her showing her best here.
On the plus side, this isn’t a great race and there’s a clear lack of in-form horses among the opposition. Two exceptions to that are recent winners Belladinotte and Varina and of the pair I prefer the claims of the former who won well enough at Hexham to suggest there are more wins in her at this level. The Neil Mulholland trained duo Midnight Gold and Nowyouvebinandunit both make some appeal and the market may guide as to their chances, while Stamina Chip is well enough handicapped to win a race like this if fit following a break. The solid option may be Killybegs Jet Lady who was ahead of Lady Mendoza at Cartmel and looks capable of winning a race of this nature.
Trainer and Jockey Statistics
Rebecca Menzies has been very quiet as of late, having only sent out seven runners in the last two weeks, with the latest of those coming just under a week ago. Interestingly, despite being more well known for her exploits in National Hunt racing, she's only sent one runner out over jumps recently, a fourth place finisher at Market Rasen ten days ago. Rebecca has also only had four runners at Uttoxeter so far this season, having favoured more local tracks with her runners in the early stages of the 25/26 campaign.
William Maggs is boasting an impressive two week 25% strike rate, riding two winners from his eight rides in the last fortnight, one of those coming at Perth in his latest ride prior to this afternoon. The talented young conditional has ridden one winner from 12 rides at Uttoxeter in his fledgling career and will be looking to land his first of the season this afternoon. Rebecca Menzies has supported Maggs quite well to this point in his career, giving him 31 rides, seven of which he's run on, with only Donald McCain providing him with more opportunities. He also rode one of Rebecca Menzies' three winners of the season and the pair will be looking for more success today.
Lady Mendoza's Owners for the Day
As winners of the recent Owner for the Day competition, 10 lucky Coral Racing Club members have been given the chance to enjoy an exclusive owners experience for Lady Mendoza's run at Uttoxeter this afternoon.
What's included in an Owner for the Day prize?
Prize Money
Today's Class 5 contest is worth £6,150 in total, with the winner set to scoop £3,247 for their lucky owners.
2nd: £1,494 | 3rd: £747| 4th: £373 | 5th: £186
Pipped At The Post – Exclusive for Members
Get paid as a WINNER in CASH up to a stake of £/€10 if your horse finishes 2nd by a head or less behind the winner in today's 17:10 at Uttoxeter – click here to find out more.
17:10 UTTOXETER – LATEST ODDS
We hope you enjoyed reading today's Raceday LIVE Preview. Don't forget to tune in just before 17:10 to watch Lady Mendoza's next run for the club live on the Coral Sports app.
Read our Raceday LIVE Preview below and join us ahead of the race for all the build-up and live updates from the track across our social channels on X (@CRCofficial) and Instagram (@coralofficial).
Raceday LIVE Preview
Lady Mendoza moves away from Cartmel for the first time in three runs this afternoon, as she heads down to the Midlands for a step up in trip at Uttoxeter. Having stayed on late in both of her previous races, Rebecca Menzies made the decision to send her over a longer distance for today's run, with the thinking that she won't be caught on her heels when the pace begins to quicken.
So far in Lady Mendoza's career, aside from her debut back in November 2022, she's generally recorded her best Racing Post Ratings (RPR) over extended distances including 3m1½f, so it definitely makes sense for her to have another go over further. The extra distance should allow her more time to get into a rhythm and could be even more important for when she finds her second wind towards the backend of the contest.
WATCH: Brian Hughes reflects on Lady Mendoza's second run at Cartmel this year
Brian Hughes agreed with the sentiment following the race and given he's ridden her five times, including both efforts this year, the three-time Champion Jumps Jockey is well positioned to be able to give an honest assessment of her ability and how to get the most out of her on course.
Lady Mendoza's Owners for the Day at Cartmel with Rebecca Menzies and Brian Hughes last month
William Maggs takes the ride for the first time today, claiming five pounds off of the back of Lady Mendoza, which could prove to be valuable, as she's carrying the third most weight in the race this afternoon. Midnight Gold carries top weight in the contest, with the maximum rating in the field of 100 but has the help of a seven pound claim from jockey Harriet Tucker, who won the Foxhunters' at the Cheltenham Festival in 2018. The only other horse rated higher than Lady Mendoza is Killybegs Jet Lady, a ten race maiden under rules, and she also has five pounds being taken off her back by Alan Doyle.
There are no former course and distance winners in the field, however Barely Famous has won both at Uttoxeter and over this trip on separate occasions in the past. She arrives to the midlands track this afternoon after having her first run under rules in almost two years at the end of June, where she finished a solid fourth at Worcester. Belladinotte is likely to be in contention come the end of the race, having scored her first win at Hexham last time out for trainer Sara Ender and jockey Harry Bannister, who takes the reins again today.
Raceday update from Rebecca Menzies
"Lady Mendoza has run really well at Uttoxeter before, in what was definitely a better race than the one she's in today. There's a few consistent enough performers at this level in the field, with Lady Mendoza being one of them.
In her last two races at Cartmel, Lady Mendoza has shaped as though she would appreciate a step up in trip, with Brian Hughes struggling to pull her up after the line having picked up in the closing stages of the race.
She's more than capable of winning at this level, but as we know it's hard to get her to focus on the job at hand until she starts passing tired horses, at which point she tends to pick up.
Hopefully we can get her to sit comfortably on the outside of the field, as opposed to along the rail, to allow her some space to pass other horses on the track earlier in the race. She might gain some confidence by being allowed to do this.
Will Maggs takes a handy five pounds off, he's ridden plenty of winners for me in the past and is good form right now. Hopefully he'll be able to get her into the race and she'll appreciate a conditional taking off a bit of weight rather than having to carry more with a professional like Brian Hughes or Nathan Moscrop onboard.
If she puts her best foot forward, she's got every chance of hitting the frame. Good luck all!"
Chris Dixon, Racing TV analyst, looks over Lady Mendoza's contest at Uttoxeter this afternoon and gives his verdict on the race
Lady Mendoza was was below form when sent off favourite at Cartmel last month, failing to build on what had been a more encouraging run on her previous start at the same track. There was little to like about that latest performance as she showed little enthusiasm from an early stage and I’d be concerned it’s going to be a similar story again. I remain of the opinion that Lady Mendoza runs her best races when fresh off a bit of a break, as was the case with that penultimate start, and with a 19-day turnaround looking quick enough given her overall profile, I’m struggling to see why she will perform much differently here to last time. If things do click, then for all she’s yet to win a race, she does look capable of making an impact but I have serious doubts about her showing her best here.
On the plus side, this isn’t a great race and there’s a clear lack of in-form horses among the opposition. Two exceptions to that are recent winners Belladinotte and Varina and of the pair I prefer the claims of the former who won well enough at Hexham to suggest there are more wins in her at this level. The Neil Mulholland trained duo Midnight Gold and Nowyouvebinandunit both make some appeal and the market may guide as to their chances, while Stamina Chip is well enough handicapped to win a race like this if fit following a break. The solid option may be Killybegs Jet Lady who was ahead of Lady Mendoza at Cartmel and looks capable of winning a race of this nature.
Trainer and Jockey Statistics
Rebecca Menzies has been very quiet as of late, having only sent out seven runners in the last two weeks, with the latest of those coming just under a week ago. Interestingly, despite being more well known for her exploits in National Hunt racing, she's only sent one runner out over jumps recently, a fourth place finisher at Market Rasen ten days ago. Rebecca has also only had four runners at Uttoxeter so far this season, having favoured more local tracks with her runners in the early stages of the 25/26 campaign.
William Maggs is boasting an impressive two week 25% strike rate, riding two winners from his eight rides in the last fortnight, one of those coming at Perth in his latest ride prior to this afternoon. The talented young conditional has ridden one winner from 12 rides at Uttoxeter in his fledgling career and will be looking to land his first of the season this afternoon. Rebecca Menzies has supported Maggs quite well to this point in his career, giving him 31 rides, seven of which he's run on, with only Donald McCain providing him with more opportunities. He also rode one of Rebecca Menzies' three winners of the season and the pair will be looking for more success today.
Lady Mendoza's Owners for the Day
As winners of the recent Owner for the Day competition, 10 lucky Coral Racing Club members have been given the chance to enjoy an exclusive owners experience for Lady Mendoza's run at Uttoxeter this afternoon.
What's included in an Owner for the Day prize?
- Free racecourse entry
- Access to the Owners & Trainers enclosure
- Access to the Parade Ring before the race
- Meet Lady Mendoza and the Rebecca Menzies team
- Take home a 10% share of any prize money she wins
Prize Money
Today's Class 5 contest is worth £6,150 in total, with the winner set to scoop £3,247 for their lucky owners.
2nd: £1,494 | 3rd: £747| 4th: £373 | 5th: £186
Pipped At The Post – Exclusive for Members
Get paid as a WINNER in CASH up to a stake of £/€10 if your horse finishes 2nd by a head or less behind the winner in today's 17:10 at Uttoxeter – click here to find out more.
17:10 UTTOXETER – LATEST ODDS
We hope you enjoyed reading today's Raceday LIVE Preview. Don't forget to tune in just before 17:10 to watch Lady Mendoza's next run for the club live on the Coral Sports app.
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