Cheltenham takes place on Friday 13th this week, and Andrew Mount looks to give the bookies a fright by giving you his best bets for the day.
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Posted: 4.30pm, Thursday, December 12th
12.40 Cheltenham – DEAFENING SILENCE (1pt win – 8/1 bet365, 15/2 generally)
The main talking point after the Trelawne/Iroko graduation chase at Haydock on November 23rd focused on the whether Jonjo O’Neill junior had overdone the waiting tactics on the runner-up, but it was the performance of third-placed DEAFENING SILENCE that caught my attention. This was only the second horse that Dan Skelton has debuted over fences in graduation company; the first was Crucial Role, who also ran third in the same Haydock race before scoring easily at odds of 12-1 on his next start. The seven-year-old raced keenly in rear before making ground to go into third place two out and though keeping on well he was still just over 12 lengths down at the line. He jumped well in the main, will improve for the experience and looks worth a small interest to upset the likes of Caldwell Potter in this Class 2 novices’ chase.
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12.50 Doncaster – WILLIE SHAKE HANDS (1pt win – 7/1 bet365)
WILLIE SHAKE HANDS was only sixth in a maiden hurdle at Carlisle on his penultimate start, beaten by more than 17 lengths, but he made the running in the ‘swamp’ on the inside rail and it was a useful effort in the circumstances. He ran another eyecatcher at Newcastle on his latest start, also in maiden hurdle company, doing best of the closers in fourth after being anchored in rear in the early stages. Sam England’s five-year-old looks a likely improver now handicapping for the first time and I’m expecting a more positive ride than at Newcastle.
2.25 Cheltenham – SHAKEM UP’ARRY (1.5pt win – 9/2 bet365, 4/1 generally)
SHAKEM UP’ARRY hasn’t been seen on the track so far this term but has a good record when fresh, recording form figures on his seasonal debuts of 3rd of 16 (14-1, needed the experience in a Ffos Las bumper on racecourse debut), Fell – leading when falling three out at Leicester, 1st, UR, 1st and PU (ran as though the outing needed on first start after a wind operation). He won twice over course and distance earlier this year, with the latest success after a 73-day break, and first time out could be when to catch him. Ben Pauling’s ten-year-old would have preferred slower ground but the switch to veterans’ handicap chase company looks a good idea.
6.45 Southwell – POPULAR DREAM (1pt ew – 5/1 bet365)
POPULAR DREAM finished a solid 16-1 fourth in a 0-75 course and distance handicap last time out when advised each-way in this column, only losing out to horses rated 75, 75 and 74. Derek Shaw’s four-year-old had caught the eye when a 66-1 fifth here on his penultimate start when in need of the run after a 134-day break and this weak maiden represents a good opportunity, despite having to concede weight to the three-year-olds.
Andrew Mount’s Best Bets
12.40 Cheltenham – DEAFENING SILENCE (1pt win – 8/1 bet365, 15/2 generally)
12.50 Doncaster – WILLIE SHAKE HANDS (1pt win – 7/1 bet365)
2.25 Cheltenham – SHAKEM UP’ARRY (1.5pt win – 9/2 bet365, 4/1 generally)
6.45 Southwell – POPULAR DREAM (1pt ew – 5/1 bet365)
Andrew Mount’s tips for Friday, 13th December 2024.
Andrew Mount’s Myth Busters – Does Cheltenham Form Translate from the Old Course to the New Course?
We have a two-day Cheltenham meeting to get stuck into at the end of the week (Friday/Saturday) where the action switches from the Old Course – used during October/November – to the New Course. Last month, the Racing Post published a ‘Walking The Course With Aidan Coleman’ article in which the jockey highlighted the differences…
Tue 10 Dec 2024 Looking For More Racing Info? Check Out Our Racecards & Top Tips Sections
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