It is probably not a day to be wading into the betting markets with abandon - a long hard look at Saturday’s Ladbroke Hurdle or Silver Cup at Ascot could be a more productive way to spend some time - but there are a couple of fairly competitive events at Catterick and a sprint handicap at Southwell that should keep turnover rolling.
The most interesting horse running anywhere in many respects is High Bridge (3.20), who will be a short price for the concluding bumper at Catterick. By Monsun out of the 1,000 Guineas winner Ameerat, he was bred to win Classics rather than Class 6 events worth £1,949 to the winner, but after a couple of hiccups on his first two trips to the track, he finally got off the mark last time out. Today’s race looks less competitive and he should follow up.
The Beginners’ Chase on the same card has a couple of useful prospects in a small field, with Warriors Tale (1.15) probably the pick of them, while Bollin Line (nap 2.50) put up his best performance for some time when second last time out and has decent prospects of opening his account over fences at the third time of asking.
The five-furlong sprint at Southwell is the pick of the all-weather Flat action, with Best Trip (next 2.30) an interesting runner at around 7-1. He races off a lower all-weather mark than turf and recorded a solid time when second last time out. A couple of previous starts on this surface were unconvincing but also a long time ago, and Best Trip has improved and gained experience since then. Burning Thread (2.40) and My Tringaling (3.40) are both fairly priced on the day’s other all-weather card at Kempton.
Tipping competition, day two
Our winners so far:
Monday
Bob Ford 8-1
Black Narcissus 9-4
Hernando Torres 6-1
And our leaders are …
Sportingbest +9.25
Ellandback +9.25
jakesnake1 +9.25
... who all had Bob Ford and Black Narcissus. Nine others of you had Bob Ford on his own and come next on +6.
Today, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 2.20 Catterick, 2.50 Catterick, 5.10 Kempton.
This week’s prize, kindly offered by William Hill, is a £25 bet on the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day, which they sponsor.
As ever, our champion will be the tipster who returns the best profit to notional level stakes of £1 at starting price on our nominated races, of which there will be three each day up until Friday. Non-runners count as losers. If you have not joined in so far this week, you are welcome to do so today but you will start on -3.
In the event of a tie at the end of the week, the winner will be the tipster who, from among those tied on the highest score, posted their tips earliest on the final day.
Good luck!
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And post your tips or racing-related comments below.
