It was all gravy here yesterday, but I may have used up all my luck for one year and today's fare certainly has more of a bread-and-butter look about it.
Micky 'Sumo' Quinn knows a lot about bread and butter and his Mango Music (3.45) looks the pick of the afternoon in Pontefract's sprint handicap for fillies. Quinn wouldn't be my favourite trainer but, like a lot of small yards, his is well worth following when in form and he's had three winners from 14 runners this month.
Mango Music is on top of her game, with two wins and a close third from her last three outings on turf. She's still on a winning mark, though, and has been backed from 5-1 into 3s this morning.
Hawk Mountain (4.15) is really interesting on his handicap debut, stepping up to a mile and a half after three poor efforts in maidens at up to a mile. John Quinn is the kind of trainer to get a lot of improvement out of a horse at such a stage in his career and I'm slightly surprised this one is as big as 14-1 on Betfair.
Mind you, the market is very sophisticated these days. Twenty years ago, if one horse beat another by four lengths over five furlongs, most punters and tipsters would be lining up behind the winner next time, regardless of circumstances. Yet Raccoon (7.25), who trailed Toy Top at Thirsk last time, is a warm favourite for tonight's rematch at Musselburgh and has been well tipped up, while Toy Top is almost friendless.
The reason is that Toy Top was well drawn at Thirsk, while Raccoon ran well despite being on the wrong side and is 9lb better in this time. I've tipped Raccoon in the paper but I didn't think he'd be 7-4 and there's no way I can recommend a bet.
Much more appealing at the evening meetings are Mintoe (7.55), a Kevin Ryan maiden who will have improved a great deal for his York debut, and Capucci (7.40) at Windsor -- John Gosden's charge landed a gamble on his handicap debut at Newbury and is still well treated after a 6lb rise.
3.50pm Mango Music does the job well at 3-1
A nicely judged ride from Franny Norton to get her across to the rail, steady the pace and then kick at the right time. She's sometimes had trouble seeing out her races but she ran on strongly right to the line there and looked in command throughout.
4.22pm Hawk Mountain nicks a place at 14-1
There's certainly no argument that this trip suits him, as he ran on well off a furious pace, but never looked like getting to the first two, who were better positioned throughout. Cape Colony held off My Mate Max in a thrilling finish, while Hawk Mountain can do better with this under his belt.
7.30pm Raccoon gets home . . . just!
All those sophisticates who made him 7-4 were justified, as everything rather fell into his lap there. Neil Callan bounced him out and got the rail, and the pair were granted an uncontested lead through the early part of the race. It was looking like hard work from two furlongs out, though, and the fast-finishing Wicked Wilma came within a fast-vanishing short-head of reeling him in.
7.38pm Capucci a non-runner
That gives you every chance, socialwanderer!
8pm A sucky effort by Mintoe
Finishes last. That must be my cue to leave the building. Good luck, all
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