The Long Walk Hurdle headlines the final Saturday of racing before Christmas and our man Andrew Mount has his best bets for a cracking day’s action.
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Posted: 3.45pm, Friday, December 20th
1.03 Hereford – FACE D’MUSIC (1pt win – 11/4 bet365)
FACE D’MUSIC confirmed his love of Hereford when scoring over course and distance at odds of 22-1 last time. The Katy Price-trained five-year-old disputed the early lead before settling in second place and stuck on gamely to get up close home to deny Harry’s Hope by a neck, breaking the hearts of in-running punters who forced the runner-up’s price down to 1.01. His record at this venue now reads 2211 (2-4), improving to 11 (2-2) in handicap company. Away from Hereford, his record reads U372U83 (0-7). He should get a tow into the race from front-runner Gats And Co but with that one clearly best left-handed he’ll be well positioned to sneak up his inside and do what he did last time.
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1.30 Haydock – XCITATIONS (1.5pt win – 11/1 William Hill) and CERENDIPITY (0.5pt win – 11/2 William Hill)
I get more excited by Class 3 horses with a strong pattern to their form who win once or twice a season than Grade One animals with a string of 1s next to their name and XCITATIONS falls into the first category. Pam Sly’s nine-year-old could only finish fifth of seven to Dr T J Eckleburg in a 2m handicap chase at Haydock on his reappearance (beaten by 24 lengths) but that run was clearly needed (his seasonal debut record now reads 5522455 (0-7)) and now is the time to side with him. Since his attention was switched to obstacles his record on his second or third start of the season stands at 71511113 (5-8) and he bounced back from a similar reappearance reverse to score at Sandown on his second run last term. In the last four seasons, he’s won his first 2m start after his seasonal return and his prominent style will be an asset.
CERENDIPITY is another who goes well at the second time of asking and was a bet for this column at Aintree a few weeks ago before the meeting was abandoned. Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith’s seven-year-old was beaten by 13 lengths when sixth of eight at Bangor on his reappearance in mid-October and bounced back from similar defeats to score second time out last term and in the 2022/23 season. The 66-day break is a slight concern, but I still want a cover shot.
3.00 Ascot – VICTTORINO (2pt win – 15/8 William Hill, 7/4 generally)
VICTTORINO clearly didn’t enjoy the left-handed track when 5-1 for the Coral Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Newbury last time, staying on well in the straight to grab an unlikely third after looking more likely to pull up than place. His two wins for Venetia Williams have come at today’s right-handed venue, including this race 12 months ago off a similar mark.
3.35 Ascot – SECRET SQUIRREL (1pt each-way, 6/1 William Hill, 11/2 generally)
SECRET SQUIRREL is consistent, tactically versatile and looks the safest call in the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle. Hughie Morrison’s five-year-old was a big eyecatcher over course and distance on his reappearance seven weeks ago, staying on well to finish just over three lengths back in third in a race not run to suit the patient tactics employed by David Bass (the winner, runner-up and fourth were up with the pace throughout). That run took his career form figures to 111224153 (4-9), improving to 111213 (4-6) when fresh (seasonal debut or when rested for at least five weeks thereafter). His trainer has a good record in this race, and it will be disappointing if he isn’t in the first four.
Andrew Mount’s Best Bets
1.03 Hereford – FACE D’MUSIC (1.5pt win – 11/4 bet365)
1.30 Haydock – XCITATIONS (1.5pt win – 12/1 bet365, 11/1 William Hill) and CERENDIPITY (0.5pt win – 6-1/ bet365, 11/2 William Hill)
3.00 Ascot – VICTTORINO (2pt win – 15/8 William Hill, 7/4 generally)
3.35 Ascot – SECRET SQUIRREL (1pt each-way, 6/1 William Hill, 11/2 generally)
Andrew Mount’s tips for Saturday, 21st December 2024.
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