Uttoxeter, Saturday 2nd May 2026: Tips & Selections

Uttoxeter, Saturday 2nd May 2026: Tips & Selections

Good ground at Uttoxeter on a May Saturday, and the card offers a decent mix of handicap chasing, a hurdle handicap, and a maiden hurdle split into divisions. The going suits sharp, athletic types rather than heavy-ground plodders, and that filters the analysis nicely. Dan Skelton's yard is absolutely flying at present, posting 8 wins from 24 runners in the last fortnight. That stat alone shapes the card. Olly Murphy is also in strong form at 9 from 37, which is a solid strike rate for a big yard. Keep both stables onside throughout the day.

1:20 — Support The Stoke City Foundation Maiden Hurdle (Div I)

Selection: Trigg (13/8, Bet365)

Dan Skelton and Harry Skelton as a partnership in a maiden hurdle with the yard firing at 33% over the past two weeks is almost a formality. Trigg arrives here with a form line of 122 in bumpers and hurdles, showing consistent improvement and a level of ability that stands out in this field. The 2-mile trip on good ground suits a sharp type, and nothing in this nine-runner field threatens on RPR grounds. Lexington Wood is the danger at 10/11, but the Skelton booking at a bigger price is the wiser play. The market has it roughly right but 13/8 about a horse from the hottest yard in training, with this form, is acceptable.

2:35 — Staffordshire Plate Handicap Chase

Selection: Calimystic (5/2, Bet365)

This is a straightforward case. Calimystic carries a form line of 1P/11, winning twice from his last three completed outings, and represents Nicky Henderson's yard which is in rich form at 6 wins from 21 runners over the past fortnight. Nico de Boinville takes the ride, and this combination in a handicap chase on good ground should be too good for most of these. The horse is 7 years old and at the peak of his chasing career. His RPR of 152 is competitive at the top of this field and his TS of 139 shows he can produce on decent ground. At 146lbs he's not crushed by the handicapper yet.

The each-way case for Joyeux Machin Each-Way at 7/2 (Bet365) is worth a mention. Dan Skelton's runner has a 1 in his recent form, Harry Skelton rides, and the yard's 14-day numbers demand respect. If Calimystic finds the well at a short price, Joyeux Machin at 7/2 each-way covers the race nicely with three places paid.

3:50 — Pirtek UK & Ireland Handicap Hurdle

Selection: Miss Maverick Each-Way (7/1, Bet365/William Hill/Coral)

Eleven runners in a handicap hurdle, three places paid each-way, and Miss Maverick brings the most consistent recent form to the table with a sequence reading 11325. That run of form over a comparable trip shows she competes at this level regularly. A 9-year-old mare who clearly handles the variety of conditions, she's rated 127 on hurdles form and the 7/1 available across multiple bookmakers represents genuine each-way value in an open 11-runner heat.

Gary Hanmer's yard hasn't been firing recently, 0 from 6 in the last fortnight, and that's the only concern. But the mare's individual form makes the stable stats less relevant here. She's clearly in form herself based on those finishing positions and a 5th last time out off a mark she can challenge.

Sir Galahad at 9/2 from Olly Murphy's in-form yard with Sean Bowen up could go close too, but the price is too cramped given an 11-runner field where finishing in the frame isn't guaranteed.

Whatsupwithyou each-way at 8/1 (William Hill) is a secondary interest if you want a second string. Ben Pauling is in decent form and a 12-year-old who has posted a 1 and a 7 in recent runs for this trainer isn't out of place in this grade.

Today's NAP