Horse Racing Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets on Tuesday including 50/1 Punchestown Festival fancy

Punchestown, 15:05 - Back Must Go Now E/W @ 33/134.00

Fifth at odds of 28/129.00 in the race last year, when rated 3lb higher, Must Go Now put in a much improved performance in his penultimate start, finishing third in a qualifier to Onlymammycanloveme when equipped with first-time cheekpieces. The headgear was taken off when he disappointed at Fairyhouse in his latest run, but is back on here, which could spark some improvement once again.

The nine-year-old has form in the race from a higher mark and could be able to at least match his effort of 12 months ago under 5lb claimer Josh Williamson. He's a likeable performer on his day and appears on a workable mark with plenty in his favour.

Punchestown, 15:05 - Back Union Park E/W @ 50/151.00

Union Park is another contender to consider at a price in this competitive handicap. He's now only 1lb higher than his last win with Shane O'Callaghan claiming 5lb aboard, but his latest success was a few years ago and he'll need to show improvement on recent form to have a say. 

Last year, however, the 10-year-old was able to perform with credit in big field handicaps on a number of occasions over both hurdles and fences. He finished sixth in a Listed handicap chase at Leopardstown from a much higher chase rating, and was fourth at Punchestown in November at odds of 33/134.00 behind Son Of Anarchy over timber.

On the best of his form, the Philip Rothwell-trained runner is far from a forlorn hope at huge odds and could be able to put in a decent effort.

Punchestown, 15:40 - Back Balko d'Ange E/W @ 30/131.00

Six-year-old gelding Balko d'Ange could be well treated from a mark of 131 based on some of his form earlier in the season when third to now 148-rated Bowensonfire, with Prairie Dancer in second. He had put in a number of promising efforts at the beginning of this current campaign, and remains capable of showing further progression, yet to be fully exposed in handicaps. 

There could be more to come from the Philip Fenton-trained gelding, who was a faller when last seen at the Cheltenham Festival, sent off at odds of 100/1101.00 that day. He makes each-way appeal under Brian Hayes at huge odds and shouldn't be discounted.

Punchestown, 16:15 - Back Blake @ 17/29.50

In the Champion Novice Hurdle, Blake is an interesting contender for Noel Meade. He has to find further improvement to be competitive at his level, but has shaped with great promise in six starts over obstacles to date and there was little between him and Le Labo when the pair met at Naas in his penultimate start.

The five-year-old has been showing progression as he gains valuable experience, and has been narrowly denied in respective contests at Grade Two and Grade Three level already this season. He is capable of holding his own in this company if recovered from his fall at Fairyhouse, and could produce a competitive effort in the hands of Donagh Meyler.

Southwell, 16:35 - Back Onlyriversrunfree E/W @ 12/113.00

Five-year-old mare Onlyriversrunfree is still searching for a maiden win in her eighth racecourse appearance, but could be capable of finally getting off the mark upped in trip to this extended two mile distance for the first time. She showed when last seen that she possesses enough ability to put in a competitive effort in a race, finishing third in a Classified contest when equipped with first-time cheekpieces which remain on here.

Following a promising effort in which the daughter of Cracksman was able to outrun odds of 40/141.00 to make the frame, she may be a mare worth keeping onside now back in handicap company from a low mark. She could take a step forward following a confidence booster and an improved effort on her previous runs, and may show further progression over this extra distance.

Punchestown, 16:50 - Back Western Fold E/W @ 14/115.00

Seven-year-old gelding Western Fold didn't run his race in the Brown Advisory at the Cheltenham Festival before unseating at Fairyhouse when last seen, but could be worth keeping onside considering some of his previous form. He remains open to some further improvement and conditions should suit as he bids for a fifth win over fences. 

Last summer, the Gordon Elliott-trained contender landed the Galway Plate in fine fashion from a mark of 148, before making a successful step into Grade Two company, beating Affordale Fury, who went on to significantly frank the form. Third to the brilliant Envoi Allen at Down Royal, he then chased home Kaid d'Authie when catching the eye at the Dublin Racing Festival, emerging with great credit from that Grade One appearance. 

Improvement is required based on recent form, but Western Fold remains a horse of interest with potential and he's still relatively unexposed at the top level. He makes appeal at the odds under Jack Kennedy, and could put in a bold bid.

Yarmouth, 17:03 - Back Griselda @ 10/34.33

Griselda almost returned to the winners' enclosure at Southwell when last seen, beaten only half-a-length by Piperstown on that occasion. From an unchanged mark of 47, it may be worth keeping the faith in this filly, who is still searching for a first success for current trainer Henrietta Knight.

The daughter of Kodi Bear recorded three successive victories during her debut campaign as a juvenile, including in handicap company from a mark of 69, and was only narrowly denied in a competitive, higher class handicap at Doncaster when on a mark of 81. 

Currently rated 47, she has dropped significantly in the weights since recording her latest win, but has shown signs of a resurgence in form lately and this may be a feasible opportunity for her to land a fourth career success under Cieren Fallon.

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