An exciting day of racing for fans up and down the country is a great time to follow Andrew Mount’s best bets; he has six for you to follow on the day after another 11/2 winner on Friday.
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Posted: 3.38pm, Friday, August 16th
2.15 Curragh – THUNDERBEAR (1pt win – 20/1 Paddy Power)
THUNDERBEAR seems happiest when given plenty of room in her races and has form figures in small fields (nine or fewer runners) of 952141171 (4-9) for a profit of £32.50 to a £1 level stake at SP. Her outside draw (stall 1) should ensure that she sees daylight and she’s landed three of her last four small-field turf runs in races worth £15,000 or less to the winner.
2.25 Newbury – MICHAELA’S BOY (1pt win – 7/1 generally)
Since the beginning of 2012, Robert Cowell has a nine from 37 record with his newly-gelded runners in 5f handicaps for a profit of £55.29 to a £1 level stake at SP and stable debutant MICHAELA’S BOY is a qualifier on this angle. He’s also had a wind operation since trailing home last of 11 in a 5f handicap for Mick Appleby at Chester’s May meeting and Cowell has only had six runners undergo wind surgery (since wind ops had to be declared in January 2018) and two of those won (14-1 and 100-30). His new handler also has a good record at the first time of asking with horses he takes over from other yards and it all points to a big effort.
2.45 Ripon – IT JUST TAKES TIME (1pt ew – 25/1 bet365, 20/1 generally)
The Mark Walford-trained IT JUST TAKES TIME has a solid record in high summer (June to August), landing six of his 18 starts for a profit of £43.00 to a £1 level stake at SP. When running in Class 3 or lesser company after a recent run (28 days or less) his summer record reads 59119112110 (6-11) for a profit of £50.00. He bombed out in a 6f handicap at York last time but had a poor high draw to contend with and he’s yet to run well from four goes on the sprint course at that venue.
3.00 Newbury – ZABRISKIE POINT (1pt ew – 15/2 William Hill, 7/1 generally)
The Charles Hills-trained ZABRISKIE POINT, seventh of 13 when 10-1 for a 6f handicap at Newmarket on last month’s reappearance, did second best of the far-side group on his first start following a gelding operation and also caught the eye over an extra furlong at Glorious Goodwood next time. The three-year-old, drawn in stall 10 of 11 (non-runner adjusted), travelled well in rear but had to wait an age for a clear run and the race was all but over by the time he saw daylight. His fifth place behind runners drawn 3, 5, 2 and 4 was a useful effort in the circumstances and Newbury should suit his running style.
3.20 Ripon – WOBWOBWOB (1pt ew – 9/1 Betfair, Paddy Power, 8/1 generally) & RADIO GOO GOO (1pt win – 10/1 generally)
WOBWOBWOB set closer to the strong early pace than ideal when a 22-1 sixth of 18 in a 7f handicap at Goodwood on his latest start, doing second best of those to sit handy in a race dominated by the closers. Runner-up Billyjoh boosted that form when a fine third from a poor draw in the Stewards’ Cup next time and Adrian Keatley’s six-year-old looks very interesting in the Great St Wilfrid, having ‘won’ the race on the stands’ side last year when the far side was favoured. The quicker could mean his high draw is an advantage this year and rates a solid each-way bet, despite the ground being quicker than preferred.
I also want to side with RADIO GOO GOO, one of the likelier leaders, though am going win only as stall 7 might not be ideal. Her early speed will be an asset, and she won well on her sole previous course and distance outing.
Andrew Mount’s Best Bets
2.15 Curragh – THUNDERBEAR (1pt win – 20/1 Paddy Power)
2.25 Newbury – MICHAELA’S BOY (1pt win – 7/1 generally)
2.45 Ripon – IT JUST TAKES TIME (1pt ew – 25/1 bet365, 20/1 generally)
3.00 Newbury – ZABRISKIE POINT (1pt ew – 15/2 William Hill, 7/1 generally)
3.20 Ripon – WOBWOBWOB (1pt ew – 9/1 Betfair, Paddy Power, 8/1 generally) & RADIO GOO GOO (1pt win – 10/1 generally)
Andrew Mount’s tips for Saturday, 17th August 2024.
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