It is Scottish National day at Ayr, and Andrew Mount has five selections in the race, and elsewhere, on a top day of racing.
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Posted: 5:28pm, Friday, April 19th
3.15 Newbury – THUNDER BALL (1.5pt ew – 9/1 William Hill)
THUNDER BALL did too much too soon into the headwind in the Lincoln but still emerged best of the prominent racers in an 11-1 seventh of 20. He had almost three lengths to spare over eighth-placed The Gatekeeper, the next pace horse to cross the line, and it was a huge effort in the circumstances. The Paul & Oliver Cole yard has been in good form this week and the drying ground won’t be an issue, given that he was beaten by less than three lengths when an 80-1 seventh of 34 in last season’s Cambridgeshire, doing best of the quintet who raced down the centre of the track.
3.35 Ayr – BEAUPORT (1pt ew – 20/1 Coral)
BEAUPORT, pulled up in the Classic Chase at Warwick in mid-January, bounced back to notch an 18-1 success in the bet365 Midlands Grand National Handicap Chase. The eight-year-old tends to peak at this time of year and now has form figures in March/April of 1149F1 (3-6). The fourth place came in a 21-runner handicap hurdle at Aintree, the ninth in last season’s Kim Muir when second best of the British-trained contingent and the fall at Aintree last term when looking set to land the 3m1f handicap chase on Grand National day before departing at the 15th fence.
3.55 Curragh – VILLAGE VOICE (1pt win – 15/2 William Hill)
With Maxux, one of my ten-to-follow for the season, not certain to appreciate the heavy going I’m switching to VILLAGE VOICE. Jessica Harrington’s four-year-old loves the mud, recording form figures on officially soft or heavy going of 13121 (3-5), improving to 11 (2-2) on her seasonal debuts. She recorded a career-best RPR (Racing Post Rating) when landing a Group 3 at St Cloud on her final start last term and should have further improvement to come.
4.06 Brighton – UMMING N’AHING (1pt ew – 25/1 with bet365)
UMMING N’AHING disappointed on his final two starts on turf last autumn and failed to beat a rival when reappearing in a handicap at Wolverhampton 19 days ago. Bill Turner’s 28-1 shot weakened two furlongs out to finish over ten lengths behind the winner, but this run was clearly needed, and he can be backed now returned to turf. He landed his first three turf starts over 5f last spring, on going ranging from good to soft to heavy, and there should be enough juice in the ground today to make him worth a punt.
7.30 Nottingham – BIG BEAR HUG (2pt win – 7/2 with William Hill)
BIG BEAR HUG did much too soon into the headwind when runner-up at Doncaster on Lincoln Day and she again emerged best of the prominent racers when third in another 1m2f handicap at Bath last time. The 7-2 favourite traded at 1.50 in-running when sweeping into the lead two out but was headed inside the final furlong. Adam West’s five-year-old doesn’t look to face much in the way of pace pressure at Nottingham this evening and can get back to winning ways.
Andrew Mount’s Best Bets
3.15 Newbury – THUNDER BALL (1.5pt ew – 9/1 William Hill)
3.35 Ayr – BEAUPORT (1pt ew – 20/1 Coral)
3.55 Curragh – VILLAGE VOICE (1pt win – 15/2 William Hill)
4.06 Brighton – UMMING N’AHING (1pt ew – 25/1 with bet365)
7.30 Nottingham – BIG BEAR HUG (2pt win – 7/2 with William Hill)
Andrew Mount’s tips for Saturday, 20th April 2024.
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