After nine Group One races in the space of two days in Britain and France, the British cards on the first Monday in October are always going to struggle to compete, but a handful of horses have fair credentials at the likely odds, including Bahuta Acha (3.10) in the nursery handicap at Bath.
David Loughnane’s gelding struggled to build on a solid debut earlier in the season, when he failed to make the frame in three starts after finishing a close second first time up. But he showed significant improvement to record his first win at Catterick last month, finishing nearly three lengths clear in a good time, and he will be hard to beat if he turns up in the same form.
Bellevarde (2.40) is impressively consistent and that could count for a lot in a weak race earlier on the card, while at Stratford Astrum (3.00) could follow up his latest success in selling company. He won with plenty in hand and though consistency is not his strong suit, that is priced in at around 10-1.
The National Hunt Flat race on the same card is as competitive at the meeting but Rococo Style (5.00), who is bred to be useful on the Flat, was a ready winner first time up and worth backing to go in again. Matorico (3.20) could also offer some value against the favourite in the two-mile handicap chase at Stratford.
The other jumps meeting on Monday at Newton Abbot goes ahead as planned after the track was declared fit for action. Officials had called a 7am precautionary check after significant rain through the week had turned the ground heavy, with the prospect of further rain overnight. However, the track is reported to have remained dry and the ground remains heavy.
Monday’s tips
Bath
2.10 Haylah 2.40 Bellevarde 3.10 Bahuta Acha (nap) 3.40 Seamster 4.10 Foxford 4.40 Air Of York 5.10 Captain Ryan 5.40 Owen The Law
Stratford
2.00 Gumball 2.30 Leanna Ban 3.00 Astrum (nb) 3.30 Rothman 4.00 Sam Red 4.30 Culm Counsellor 5.00 Rococo Style
Newton Abbot
1.50 Green Or Black 2.20 Emerging Talent 2.50 Whoshotwho 3.20 Matorico 3.50 Hurricane Ridge 4.20 Ramses De Teillee
