2:25 Uttoxeter Tips

Quite a few of these don't look up to winning a race at this level, and I think the Skelton progressive youngster, A Pai De Nom, could be the one to be with. He is shorter than I was expecting, but the bookies are treading warily where this yard is concerned. Given what he's done in his last three runs, the handicapper hasn't been as harsh as he might have been, leaving him with a great chance of collecting a big pot.

3/3 here, and gets sent up to 3m having just failed last time at Ascot. Two horses behind did something for the firm at Cheltenham this week, even if the winner didn’t (albeit he ran well for a long way). Second off a big weight on soft ground, he could improve for the surface and gets a nice racing weight to take round this time in a competitive event. He looks worth following again, having just failed for us last time.

Apart from one bad run, has looked very progressive this season. Had an unlucky unseat last time when travelling into the race well. Strong chance in an open race.

Lightly raced and progressive 7yo. Four runs this winter, form 1203. Only a neck behind the runner-up last time out in a Grade 3 handicap, but it was on heavy ground. He's best judged on his very close 2nd of 17 during Nov, which came on better ground in a strong Grade 3 handicap. Still on a handy-looking mark.

Dan Skelton runs three in this race. Although his A Pai De Nom is a worthy favourite, his Just Golden goes up in distance after winning a maiden hurdle at Warwick and should improve at three miles. At his mark of 123 he should go close.

SANTOS BLUE has been competitive since transferring stables to Olly Murphy from Dan Skelton. Found one too good in a Premier Handicap at Sandown at the end of January and is considered if progressing from that run. Has won on softer ground before and has place claims for connections that have a good record at Uttoxeter.

A distance just short of three miles on soft ground at Uttoxeter takes some getting, so Keable, with a stamina-packed pedigree, is taken to reach the first five places at big odds. The horse has already shown staying power to land long-distance hurdles at Newbury and Chepstow, recording a career-best performance on his latest outing last month. Keable goes well on soft ground. Amateur rider Mr. Jack Stenhouse is one from one on Keable and retains the ride, claiming a useful seven-pound allowance.

I've had a root and branch search of the form here and I'm left in no doubt. It leaves me with only one option even if I'm barking up the wrong tree. Twig. May not be liked by the market but, hey ho, the market gets it wrong sometimes.

King of the Lake was fourth in this event last year and can run a good race again with a 10 lb claimer on board. Big odds look too high.