The festive racing action on Thursday includes two jumps and two all-weather meetings with Andrew Mount giving GG readers his best bets.
Back his selections with BetMGM’s HUGE new customer offer of £40 in Free Bets when you deposit and bet £10!
Posted: 4.07pm, Wednesday, December 18th
2.55 Southwell – CHOLA EMPIRE (1pt ew – 11/1 William Hill)
The reasoning for betting on CHOLA EMPIRE today is very simple – he’s a Southwell course expert. David Simcock’s five-year-old arrives here on the back of a last-of-13 effort at Chelmsford, but the Polytrack surface was far from ideal for him and his low draw and prominent running style were at a huge disadvantage at a meeting where all bar one of the winners came from off the pace, most of them out wide. His full record at today’s venue rads 1312 (2-4) with both defeats by just over one length. The latest reverse came from a tough wide draw, and he may have done too much too soon (the winner, third and fourth all came from off the pace). He’s one of only a few prominent racers in the line-up and looks sure to run well. CHARENCEY enjoyed zero luck in running when we bet him at Lingfield last time and could be the one for the forecast.
Join our 20k+ subscribers to receive the latest horse racing news, offers, and expert tips directly in your inbox — 100% free!
3.30 Southwell – POPULAR DREAM (2pt win – 2/1 bet365)
POPULAR DREAM was backed from the overnight 13-2 (generally 5-1) into even-money favouritism when bolting up for this column in a maiden over track and trip six days ago and is going to be very difficult to beat in this 0-60 handicap under a 5lb penalty. Derek Shaw’s four-year-old clocked a good time for that comfortable success and, like last week, has drawn stall 4 of 12. He’s drawn near the likely pace horse and should have the race run to suit.
6.40 Chelmsford – FOREVER PROUD (1pt win – 8/1 bet365)
Like Chola Empire (see above), FOREVER PROUD had little chance against the draw/pace bias here on December 5th, weakening into sixth place after making the running on the ‘dead’ rail in a 1m2f handicap. The cut back to 1m will suit and a more patient ride, like the one she was given when third over this trip at Newcastle on her penultimate start, could see her record a first success since joining James Owen.
Andrew Mount’s Best Bets
2.55 Southwell – CHOLA EMPIRE (1pt ew – 12/1 William Hill)
3.30 Southwell – POPULAR DREAM (2pt win – 2/1 bet365)
6.40 Chelmsford – FOREVER PROUD (1pt win – 8/1 bet365)
Andrew Mount’s tips for Thursday, 19th 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
Make sure you’re following us on all our social media platforms to keep up to date with all the latest horse racing news and the best tips.