Doncaster stages the Group 1 Futurity Trophy on Saturday, while the jumps action continues at Cheltenham‘s first meeting of the new season. Andrew Mount has horses to watch at both tracks, with four selections in all to follow on Saturday.
12.55 Doncaster – King Of Light (2pt win – 9/2 Coral, Hills, Ladbrokes, BetVictor)
I took a chance and backed King Of Light in a Listed race at Ascot last time, as he was racing in his preferred small field, but he could never get into contention, going down by just under five lengths in ninth place. That took his record in fields of 11 or fewer runners to 3311142119 (5-10) for a profit of £31.00 to a £1 level stake at SP, improving to 31114211 (5-8) at today’s Class 2 level. This flat track will suit Stuart Williams’ triple Haydock scorer, and I like his high draw in stall 10 of 10, as he’ll get cover from the forecast strong crosswind (hitting the low drawn runners first).
2.55 Cheltenham – Uncle Bert (1pt win – 9/2 Sky Bet, Paddy Power, 4/1 generally)
Uncle Bert seems happiest given genuinely good to soft or softer going and a field of 11 or fewer runners. His handicap record under such conditions stands at 1P211P3117 (5-10) for a profit of £16.25 to a £1 level stake at SP, with the latest defeat excusable as it came in a Class 1 contest on Trials Day here last season. He runs well fresh and I prefer him to the gambled-on Skelton runner Here Comes Georgie, who has seemed happiest right-handed for his previous yards.
3.19 Doncaster – On The River (1pt e/w – 12/1 Paddy Power)
On The River is very consistent in handicap company when the mud is flying and found only one too good when keeping on into a 16-1 second at Haydock last time, a race he had run well in twice before (first and 28-1 fourth). Last season, he followed that Haydock fourth with a runner-up effort at this meeting, doing best of the far side bunch in the 7f Class 4 handicap and he looks a solid each-way play from a useful draw in stall 10.
3.55 Doncaster – Galyx (1pt win – 13/2 generally)
Ground conditions are the key to Galyx – Jack Channon’s five-year-old has had nine runs on going rated good to soft or faster according to Proform’s accurate going adjustment, recording form figures of 634973046 (0-9), as compared to 1114 (3-4) on soft or heavy. He paid for getting into a battle for the lead with runner-up Steel Raven when fourth at Ayr last time and that rival went one better next time, albeit at very short odds. A more measured right should see him go well.
Andrew Mount’s Best Bets Today
12.55 Doncaster – King Of Light (2pt win – 9/2 Coral, Hills, Ladbrokes, BetVictor)
2.55 Cheltenham – Uncle Bert (1pt win – 9/2 Sky Bet, Paddy Power, 4/1 generally)
3.19 Doncaster – On The River (1pt e/w – 12/1 Paddy Power)
3.55 Doncaster – Galyx (1pt win – 13/2 generally)
FAQs: Today’s Racing Tips
Which racecourses run on Saturday 24 October? Doncaster, Cheltenham, Kelso, Newbury & Southwell.
Who is Andrew Mount? Andrew Mount is a professional tipster with over a decade of experience following UK and Irish racing. He combines form study, market moves and trainer intelligence to identify value bets each day, and shares his tips daily on X as @TrendHorses.
When was today’s article published? Today’s article was published at 2.50pm on Friday 23 October.