Grade 1s and Grand National Trials are on the agenda on Saturday as Andrew Mount previews a big day of racing with his top tips for you to follow.
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Posted: 3.42pm, Friday, February 14th
12.55 Haydock – CHASINGOUTTHEBLUES (1pt e/w, 10/1 William Hill, 9/1 bet365)
Former pointer CHASINGOUTTHEBLUES caught the eye when fifth at Carlisle on his rules debut in October where he raced in the ‘swamp’ on the inside rail, doing well to finish 15 lengths behind the winner who was wide throughout. The 2m1f trip was very much on the short side and he stepped up on that effort to land a maiden hurdle over 2m4f at Hexham next time. Mark Walford’s six-year-old bombed out when returned to Carlisle on his third start over hurdles but again raced on the inside rail over an inadequate trip. The gelding has gone two from two since, appreciating the step up to 3m at Ayr on January 21st where he raced on the slowest part of the track. He’s now three from three on left-handed tracks over hurdles, is open to further improvement and unlike some of his rivals, will be happy to go home with the £16,000 first prize rather than finish fourth in order to qualify for the final of this series at Cheltenham next month. His trainer won this with a six-year-old in 2023. I’ve saved on KILBARRY HILL, who did well to run second here four weeks ago when the track was being especially unkind to his patient running style.
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1.15 Ascot – THANK YOU MA’AM (1pt e/w, 8/1 generally including William Hill and Ladbrokes)
This has been a good race for front-runners and there isn’t a great deal of early pace on offer, despite the huge field. The Georgina Nicholls-trained THANK YOU MA’AM clocked a fast time when making all over course and distance on his latest outing and finished second to Jalisco Star (winner again next time) on his only other course outing. The six-year-old now has form figures over hurdles on right-handed tracks of 32202221 (1-8), with the third place at 125-1 when just over seven lengths behind Secret Squirrel at Kempton. The ‘duck egg’ came in the Grade 3 EBF Final when starting at 33-1 and is easily excused. I’ve saved on GOLDEN COSMOS.
2.05 Haydock – EATON COLLINA (1.5pt win – 4/1 Ladbrokes, Coral)
Ten-year-olds, the youngest age group eligible to take part in veterans’ handicap chases, have a superior record (A/E of 1.08) compared to 11-year-olds (A/E 0.87) in these popular contests though that stat is not hugely helpful today, as five of the six runners are ‘babies’. However, Kerry Lee’s ten-year-old EATON COLLINA stands out because of his fine record in the month of February – form figures of 41U111 (4-6) for a profit of £12.00 to a £1 level stake at SP (he’s just one from 19 outside of this period). His yard is back in good form after a quiet spell, and he has the prominent running style which is ideal for Haydock. WHISTLEINTHEDARK was unlucky to bump into an on-song Le Milos in one of these at Warwick last week and looks the one for the forecast.
7.40 Southwell – MR NUGGET (1pt win – 7/2 bet365)
The form of MR NUGGET’s narrow second to Khangai over 1m4f here on January 3rd has received some boosts from the beaten horses, with the 22-1 third Sisterandbrother recording an 18-1 victory at Wolverhampton next time and the fourth, 8-11 favourite Paradoxical, finishing second by a head, third and first in his three subsequent starts. I wrote up Mr Nugget in Racing & Football Outlook after his next run – a best-of-the-closers two-length fourth at Wolverhampton where the steady early pace scuppered his chance. He was sent off as favourite for a 14-runner handicap at Wolverhampton just four days later but was rushed up to race prominently by Hector Crouch after missing the break and challenged on the inside which didn’t look ideal, weakening in the final half-furlong to finish a close-up fourth. Billy Loughnane takes over in the saddle, the return to Tapeta will suit, and he should encounter a good pace to chase.
Andrew Mount’s Best Bets
12.55 Haydock – CHASINGOUTTHEBLUES (1pt e/w, 10/1 William Hill, 9/1 bet365)
1.15 Ascot – THANK YOU MA’AM (1pt e/w, 8/1 generally including William Hill and Ladbrokes)
2.05 Haydock – EATON COLLINA (1.5pt win – 4/1 Ladbrokes, Coral)
7.40 Southwell – MR NUGGET (1pt win – 7/2 bet365)
Chasingouttheblues
Thank You Maam
Eaton Collina
Andrew Mount’s tips for Saturday, 15th February 2025
Andrew Mount’s Cheltenham Focus – Fred Winter a Focal Point for Opening Day Profit
This week I’m going to take a detailed looked at the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, best known as the Fred Winter and a race with a history of shock results. Had we backed all 451 runners in this 2m contest since its inception in 2005 we’d have lost only £5.00 to a £1 level stake…
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