Today’s best bets, by Chris Cook
I’ll start today by drawing to your attention the emergence of an extremely sharp new trainer, Olly Murphy; so sharp, indeed, that he managed to cut himself at Market Rasen yesterday. The 25-year-old saddled his first two runners in a jumps race, saw them finish first and second at 16-1 and 9-2 but was then fined for withdrawing three other horses he had had in the race.
According to the stewards’ report, Murphy told them he had declared five horses in the hope of forcing the race to be divided, which did not happen. One of his horses was then taken out under a vets’ certificate, but his explanation for withdrawing the other two was simply that he didn’t want to run four in the same race.
The stewards ruled that “his actions showed a disregard for the interests of racegoers” and fined him £500. Murphy is quoted in the Racing Post as saying: “It was a misjudgment. I’ll have to take my fine and move on.”
A former assistant to Gordon Elliott, Murphy is based at a yard near Stratford and seems like a man who should be followed. Having had two winners from just four runners so far, he can be expected to improve some of the horses formerly trained by his mother, Anabel.
To Ayr, where I’ll give another chance to Kenny The Captain (2.45), from the in-form yard of Tim Easterby. Kenny The Captain has taken an age to hit form himself but I see encouragement in his last two efforts.
He might have been beaten by the draw at Hamilton last time, when the finishing order by stalls position was: 10, 7, 8, 1, 5, 6, 3, 2, 4. He was drawn ‘one’ that day.
I’m afraid it’s possible he’s once more drawn on the wrong side in 13 of 14 this time but, at 8-1, I’ll take the chance.
Later, you can get 14-1 about Secret City (5.30), another veteran who has been creeping his way into form. When last seen, he was second in a decent contest at Musselburgh from which the first and third have won since.
Beaten three parts of a length that day, Secret City is only up 1lb and has Ben Robinson aboard in this apprentice race.
Tips for all Monday races, by John O’Hara
Ayr
1.45 Remnant 2.15 Lackaday 2.45 Tatlisu 3.15 Guitar Pete 3.50 Lamloom 4.25 Rural Celebration 4.55 Great Colaci 5.30 Monsieur Jimmy
Worcester
2.00 Jack Snipe 2.30 One Term 3.00 Blue N Yellow 3.35 Three Star General 4.10 Coroberee 4.40 Full 5.10 Sierra Oscar 5.40 Royal Chief
Windsor
6.05 Frank Cool 6.35 Bezos 7.05 Niseko 7.35 Gilded Reflection 8.05 Gambit 8.35 Big Tour (nap) 9.05 Amlad (nb)
Ripon
6.45 Miss Puddles 7.15 Clenymistra 7.45 Crushed 8.15 Sands Chorus 8.45 Mooltazem 9.15 Mr Strutter
