Sunday Racing Tips: Quid Pro Quo can strike for Skelton at Uttoxeter

Just two meetings in the UK on Sunday July 30th as jumps fare comes from the Midlands at Uttoxeter and further north they race on the level at Pontefract.

Amongst our Sunday fancies is one for Dan Skelton with a solid form-claim at Uttoxeter.

Uttoxeter 2.35 – Quid Pro Quo @ 3/1 

While A Different Kind justified favouritism in a similar event here (2m4f, heavy) already this month. Donald McCain’s charge beat only two rivals in that contest and he may find that QUID PRO QUO proves to be a fly in his ointment for trainer Dan Skelton.

A dual winner over timber last year, both on good ground, he flattered to deceive in the spring when going chasing with two non-completions and a tailed-off effort to start.

He came good however as favourite at Southwell (2m 4½f, good to soft) in April, beating seven rivals in very ready fashion after a good round of jumping.

He has been second in both starts since, latterly over C&D in a better race than this one, and with Fergus Gillard claiming 3lb now, he is fancied to make the most of the weight he gets from the market leader on route to justifying his spot on the Most Napped table via the Betfred Betfinder for today’s action.

Uttoxeter 3.10 – Hell Red @ 9/2 

The Elite Handicap Chase is one of the features at Uttoxeter on Sunday afternoon and a field of five runners contest the £13k top prize.

The market is dominated by Ruthless Article for Rebecca Curtis and champion jockey Brian Hughes after he finished a creditable second in the Summer Cup over C&D four weeks ago, but a more than viable alternative lingers in the form of HELL RED for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden.

He enjoyed a prolific summer jumps campaign last time around, winning four time over fences, and scored again on his seasonal comeback at Fontwell (2m5½f, good) in April.

He’s twice been defeated since over hurdles, but is certainly a better performer over the larger obstacles and he can be expected to deliver something close to his best now reverting to chasing for an in-form champion trainer and his stable jockey, who is enjoying a prolific summer.

Pontefract 2.50 – Flight Plan @ 11/2 

The Listed Pomfret Stakes is the feature contest at Pontefract this afternoon and looks a close-knit affair on paper.

Dropping back in trip could be an aid for the likes of Poker Face and Raadobarg, while Al Mubhir is also a likely sort going the other way, but preference is for FLIGHT PLAN (11/2).

Karl Burke’s contender was narrowly denied in this grade on the all-weather at Newcastle over a mile on Good Friday in his seasonal bow and took in the 2000 Guineas next time at Newmarket before being far from disgraced in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot last month dropped back to 7f.

A drop in class and rise in trip looks the way to go with him now and he could be very dangerous in getting 8lb from the field.