With four meetings to attack on Tuesday, here are our best bets on the day, including our NAP, Next Best and Outsider.
12.42 Uttoxeter – Yphrum’s Law (NAP)
The two fallers from last time out – Oh My Johnny and YHPRUM’S LAW – are the two worth a second look, with preference for the Dan Skelton-trained runner. The yard have been in sensational form, which was further emphasised over the weekend, and it was striking how much better the five-year-old was running on his hurdles bow than he had in his one bumper start. Although the favourite may take some beating, it is reasonable to think there is greater improvement to come from the selection.
1.42 Uttoxeter – Theatre Man (NB)
Had this been run at the start of the season, there is a chance that THEATRE MAN would be challenging for favouritism. However, as he was disappointing at Cheltenham on his reappearance, he is available at a much kinder price. The eight-year-old is comfortably the most experienced chaser in the field, and went off favourite for a Cheltenham Festival handicap back in March. Though he is yet to get off the mark over fences, his rating is still one he could easily win off, with his return forgiven as he may not have stayed the 3m trip. Back down to 2m4f, he is entitled to go very close again against less proven opposition.
11.50 Punchestown – An Epic Song (Outsider)
This race was won by Spillane’s Tower last season, so a big improver is very likely to emerge from this contest. The two favourites, Fascile Mode and Jasko Des Dames, have achieved the most, but their ceiling is likely lower than that of AN EPIC SONG, who represents the same connections as Fastorslow. Martin Brassil’s charge is yet to scale any heights over fences, but he was beaten just a head in the 2023 Coral Cup by Langer Dan, and was only in receipt of 4lb. It may be that he is still being campaigned for another day, but the race conditions favour him given he has the best form in his back catalogue, and his only win over obstacles came at thie venue too.
