Uttoxeter, Sunday 24 May 2026: Tips and Analysis

Uttoxeter, Sunday 24 May 2026: Tips and Analysis

Uttoxeter stages a decent Sunday card on good ground, and conditions throughout the day look ideal for horses who want the ball sitting up. Three races stand out for punting purposes, and the Dan Skelton yard is impossible to ignore, running 11/28 over the last 14 days. When Skelton has a horse that fits the conditions, you follow it. Today, he has two.

2:22 — Wrights Rolling In The Dough Derby Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (2m4f, Hurdle, Good)

Selection: First Candidate (4/9, Boyle Sports/Betfred)

Yes, 4/9 is a short price. But sometimes a favourite is a favourite for good reason, and this is one of those occasions. Harry Skelton takes the ride for the in-form Dan Skelton yard on an Irish point winner who is doing everything right. Her Haydock win over 1m7f on good ground was described as comfortable, and crucially, she beat a horse who subsequently won again. The step up to 2m4f suits on pedigree and there is no reason to believe she will not relish this trip.

The danger is Blue Skies Ahead at 11/2, who improved to be second in a maiden hurdle at Hexham just 22 days ago and handles good ground. Britway Belle, a £120,000 pointer-purchase, is interesting on debut over timber at 12/1 but is likely to need the experience. First Candidate is a banker for accumulators rather than a stand-alone bet at this price.

3:28 — Wrights Centenary Gold Cup Handicap Hurdle (2m4f, Hurdle, Good, 11 runners)

Selection: Service Minimum Each-Way (7/2, Boyle Sports/Betfred)

The Skelton yard fires again. Harry Skelton partners this six-year-old mare who has won her last two starts, both on good ground, both with plenty to spare. She was raised 10lb for the second of those wins and admittedly this is a significant step up in class, but she has only raced 13 times and the handicapper may not have the full measure of her yet.

The key angle here is the going. Both wins came on good ground and today’s surface is exactly what she wants. Horses that are clearly still progressing, lightly raced, and in a yard firing at nearly 40% over the last fortnight deserve full respect. At 7/2 in an 11-runner handicap with three places on offer, there is a genuine each-way case.

Percy Shelley at 5/1 is the biggest danger. He is two from five over hurdles and the spotlight notes this scenario is ideal for him. Worth putting in the each-way forecast. Sir Galahad at 11/4 is the market leader but was beaten favourite here last time and the 5lb pull on Miss Maverick may not fully compensate for her confidence boost as a course specialist who loves this place.

Champagne Kid at 7/1 is an Irish challenger worth noting. He won in cheekpieces at Leopardstown over this exact trip on good to yielding, and his Punchestown run this month with a tongue-tie added was not without merit. Could run into a place at bigger odds for those who want a saver.

4:03 — Clarke Chase Handicap Chase (2m4f, Chase, Good, 7 runners)

Selection: Riskintheground (5/4, Boyle Sports/Betfred)

The form angle here is compelling. Good ground is absolutely the key to this horse, and he has it today. His form had dipped badly on softer surfaces, but at the Cheltenham Festival he was running a big race when hampered late on, and then he followed that up by winning at Haydock over 2m4f on good ground in what the spotlight rightly describes as a strong race. He has won it before when it was run at Cheltenham. The handicapper has only raised him 4lb, which looks light for a horse who has now found his conditions twice in a row.

Dan Skelton with Harry Skelton up, going on 11/28 over the last fortnight. The RPR of 149 is the second highest in the field and the TS of 133 gives you confidence he brings peak form here.

American Mike at 6/4 is the main market rival. Olly Murphy’s yard has been busy but the stat of 12/46 over 14 days is a reasonable clip. The dead-heat at Perth shows he is in form, and the cheekpieces are new today. He is versatile trip-wise according to the spotlight. But on a strict comparison of going preferences, Riskintheground gets the nod. He simply thrives when conditions are like this and was arguably unlucky at Cheltenham.

Glengouly at 8/1 made all in a major handicap at Cheltenham in December but has pulled up four times since. His record of non-completions makes him impossible to trust, even if an easy lead suits on paper. Leave him alone.

Today’s NAP