We head into the final day of action for 2024 on Tuesday 31st December and our tipster Andrew Mount aims to bow out the year with a winner. Check out his best bets here…
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Posted: 4:30pm, Monday, December 30th
1.00 Uttoxeter – MCGOWAN’S PASS (0.5pt e/w – 14/1 bet365)
MCGOWAN’S PASS is well into the veteran stage but could be worth chancing to small stakes in this 2m4f handicap hurdle. The Jennie Candlish-trained 13-year-old pulled up at Leicester earlier this month but that run, his first for almost six months, would have been needed and he had little chance after racing in the ‘swamp’ on the inside rail. He won well over course and distance back in May on his second run back after a long break, finished second at 9-1 on his only other course outing and his yard remains in good form.
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1.30 Uttoxeter – NO REMATCH (0.5pt e/w – 25/1 bet365)
NO REMATCH wouldn’t look an obvious bet after his two runs this winter – a fall and a 40-1 tenth of 15 – but both came on unsuitably fast ground and were probably needed. He went close at third time of asking last term, albeit for another yard, and he does tend to come good at about this time of year. His record from December to February stands at 44121PP46120 (3-12) and the forecast rain will improve his chances.
2.05 Punchestown – THEDEVILSCOACHMAN (1pt win – 9/2 bet365)
With the Willie Mullins yard seemingly under a cloud (only seven winners from 74 runners in the past seven days against an expected winners score of 12.35) it might pay to oppose Saint Sam (7-4 favourite at the time of writing) and last year’s winner Sir Gerhard (7-2 third favourite) in this 2m3f conditions hurdle. Ballyadam has possibilities but he’s the type of horse I’d rather back each-way at a price in a big field (he was selected for this column when a gambled-on runner-up in last season’s Coral Cup at the Cheltenham festival) but the fact remains that he’s scored just once from 17 starts for Henry De Bromhead, when even-money favourite for a four-runner beginners chase at Wexford. Of greater interest is last year’s runner-up THEDEVILSCOACHMAN, who makes his reappearance. Noel Meade’s eight-year-old has a fine record on his seasonal debuts, recording form figures of 11317 (3-5), with the first defeat behind Ferny Hollow on his chase debut and the other when jumping poorly in a field of 20 in Grade 3 handicap chase company. His runner-up effort in this race last year was his first start back over hurdles after a long spell of chasing and that was an excellent effort in the circumstances. The more rain the better.
3.05 Punchestown – TARAS HALLS (1pt win – 6/1 bet365)
TARAS HALLS was heavily punted when reappearing at Market Rasen on October 24th, despite Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith’s break returners needed a run in the early months of the peak jumps season. Sent off as the 15-8 favourite from 13-2, he trailed home 19 lengths behind the winner in fifth of six but built on that at Carlisle next time, finishing just over 12 lengths back when a 25-1 fourth in first-time cheekpieces. Further improvement followed over today’s track and trip on December 20th where he found only one too good and with the yard’s runners usually at their peak at around this time of year, he looks worth another chance. I’ve saved on course expert ACCIDENTAL LEGEND.
Andrew Mount’s Best Bets
1.00 Uttoxeter – MCGOWAN’S PASS (0.5pt e/w – 14/1 bet365)
1.30 Uttoxeter – NO REMATCH (0.5pt e/w – 25/1 bet365)
2.05 Punchestown – THEDEVILSCOACHMAN (1pt win – 9/2 bet365)
3.05 Uttoxeter – TARAS HALLS (1pt win – 6/1 bet365)
Andrew Mount’s tips for Tuesday, 31st December 2024.
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