The day after Cheltenham is always a sad one for racing fans. However, a tonic is offered by Uttoxeter and Kempton, which boast competitive cards on “Cheltenham Boxing Day”.
Matty Sutcliffe has four best bets, with two each across that pair of meetings.
Uttoxeter Racing Tips (Saturday 14 March)
1:50 Uttoxeter – Jenningsbet 200 Shops Nationwide Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) (4yo+ 0-130) – Warrior’s Destiny 13/2 1pt WIN
Fergal O’Brien has a respectable 28% strike rate in course handicap hurdles this season and Warrior’s Destiny can back up his two length success over C&D in January.
The imposing grey will no doubt be a good chaser next season, but there’s enough room left off this hurdling mark to progress fourths this season. He was an eye-catcher when staying on well from the rear on hurdles debut at Wetherby, beaten four lengths by Get On George who’s now rated 132 after his second in the EBF Novices’ Handicap Final at Sandown last time out.
The second and third have also franked that form well since to be rated 124 and 121 respectively, and he again ran a strong race when third to Moneygarrow at Warwick. The winner followed up again, now rated 133, and lines up in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham festival. The second won nicely next time out, and Warrior’s Destiny got off the mark himself on handicap debut.
He made most of the running under Jack Hogan and was notably travelling best of all, before fending off the 13/8 favourite a shade cosily. He was given a 7lbs rise by the handicapper which was a tad harsh, but he was well on top that day and still looks well handicapped off a revised mark of 121.
2:25 Uttoxeter – JenningsBet Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+ 0-150) – A Pai De Nom 10/3 2pt WIN
A Pai De Nom would’ve been a fairly short priced runner in the Martin Pipe had he made the cut, but connections will instead have to settle for the £38,580 prize and I’d be shocked if he isn’t backed off the boards here.
The Passing Glance gelding has form figures of 121131 over hurdles this season and recorded a career best last time out when upped to three miles in deep ground at Newbury. The yard won that race with Santos Blue last season, who followed up in the preceding race on this card.
That mightn’t have been the strongest race, but it was a convincing performance and a subsequent 5lbs rise looked lenient. It was a deep race in the Lanzarote however, where he fared best of those to the fore in that contest to finish third to two coming from the rear.
Dan Skelton won this with Gwennie May Boy in 2024, who later followed up in the Grade 3 Handicap at Aintree prior to Grade 2 success in 2025 now climbing 31lbs in the weights, and they were only beaten a neck in the race last season. A Pai De Nom can follow suit, and he still looks to have plenty of scope off 129.
Kempton Racing Tips (Saturday 14 March)
2:08 Kempton – Virgin Bet Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 3) (5yo+ 0-130) – Tapley 11/2 1pt WIN
Tapley generally needs to run right handed to be seen to best effect so his two below par efforts around Doncaster and Plumpton can be discounted, whereas his other three leave him with form figures of 212. The latter effort came here over 2m4f when a rallying second to Barlovento, when perhaps waited too long. That form has worked out nicely with the third now 9lbs higher after winning in listed company before a Grade 2 second, and the third won well next time out now rated 7lbs higher. The price discrepancy between that pair appears nonsensical, given Tapley is 5lbs better off.
This good ground is key to Tapley, and the return of Isabelle Ryder, who won on him at Wincanton, means he’s effectively 5lbs lower than that latest effort with her useful 7lbs claim.
2:40 Kempton – Virgin Bet A Good Bet Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+ 0-145) – Tranquil Sea 33/1 1pt EW 4 places
Outsider of the field Tranquil Sea requires some faith on the back of his recent form but a chance is taken that a subsequent wind operation can work the oracle, as he’s thrown in on earlier form if so.
He made his debut for Dan Skelton at Worcester in September when a staying on second the 15/8 favourite who was recording a four timer. He made no mistake next time out when beating another 15/8 favourite in Marlacco, recording a then career best. He was sent off favourite for a Pertemps Qualifier won by Haiti Couleurs but bombed out, and a subsequent wind operation may have suggested he wasn’t right there.
He bounced back to form after at Market Rasen when second to C’Est Different giving him 14lbs, who’s now rated 22lbs higher. In fourth there was Lavida Adiva, who was an excellent second in the Pertemps last time out.
Bar a credible effort at Cheltenham, his form has dipped sharply but he’s had his wind tweaked since, and is now back on his last winning mark in preferable conditions.
Matty Sutcliffe’s Best Bets
1:50 Uttoxeter – Jenningsbet 200 Shops Nationwide Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) (4yo+ 0-130) – Warrior’s Destiny 13/2 1pt WIN
2:08 Kempton – Virgin Bet Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 3) (5yo+ 0-130) – Tapley 11/2 1pt WIN
2:25 Uttoxeter – JenningsBet Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+ 0-150) – A Pai De Nom 10/3 2pt WIN
2:40 Kempton – Virgin Bet A Good Bet Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+ 0-145) – Tranquil Sea 33/1 1pt EW 4 places
Matty Sutcliffe’s Top Tips – Saturday 14 March
FAQs
What are today’s racing tips?
Matthew Sutcliffe provides his best bets for the racing at Uttoxeter & Kempton on Friday 13 March.
When were Matthew Sutcliffe’s tips published?
Matty Sutcliffe’s racing tips were published at 2.15pm on Friday 13 March.
Who is Matthew Sutcliffe?
Matthew Sutcliffe is GGs newest contributor, often providing a value angle for his tips. He writes weekly columns for the weekend’s racing, as well as taking aim at ante-post markets at the Cheltenham Festival. Follow him on X: @MattySutcliffe
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