It’s a bumper day’s racing on Saturday 31st May and Andrew Mount has a multitude of tips for what should be a fabulous day’s action.
Back his selections with Paddy Power’s new customer offer of Bet £5 Get £30 In Free Bets.
Posted: 2:38pm, Friday, May 30th
2.10 Chester – NEVER SO BRAVE (2pt win – 11/4 generally)
It looks significant that Andrew Balding sends NEVER SO BRAVE, ex-Sir Michael Stoute, to Chester for his stable debut and the hint should be taken. The four-year-old scored comfortably over 7.5f here last May before finishing an 8-1 sixth of 19 to Haatem in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot. He was beaten in both subsequent runs but the first came on his all-weather debut and the other over 6f at Ascot, a trip that was on the short side. He was due to run here at the May meeting but his stall 15 draw put the kybosh on that project and stall 6 looks useful today, as the five horses on his inside are usually ridden patiently. In recent years, ex-Stoute runners have shown a profit at the first time of asking for their new trainers, with 13 winners from 105 bets since racing resumed after lockdown for a profit of £22.38 to a £1 level stake at SP. Balding was responsible for five of those with two winning – Jonquil (8-1) and Fox Legacy (15-2).
2.23 Haydock – SHAGRAAN (0.5pt each-way – 11/1 bet365, 10/1 generally) 7 BALMORAL LADY (0.5pt each-way – 14/1 betVictor, Coral)
SHAGRAAN caught the eye when fifth of 22 to JM Jungle in the Symphony Stakes Handicap at York’s Ebor meeting, as three-year-olds have a poor record in that contest. Horses from the classic generation who run well in that 5f89y contest are usually worth following and the winner had placed in the same contest as a three-year-old 12 months earlier. Mick Appleby’s gelding landed a punt at Haydock on his next start where he looks worth a bet in the Listed Achilles Stakes today. He did too much too soon against the stands’ rail when a half-length third of seven at Goodwood on his comeback, getting passed by two late closers out wide and he did second best of the nearside group when fourth of 17 behind American Affair at York last time. Today’s smaller field will suit – progeny of his sire Sioux Nation have a fine record in fields of ten or fewer runners over 5f-7f, landing 110 of their 541 starts (20.3% strike-rate) for a profit of £130.15 to a £1 level stake at SP – and he looks over-priced.
Another who falls into the over-priced bracket is BALMORAL LADY, drawn closest to the stands’ rail in stall 8 of 8. Ed Walker’s filly has form figures on officially good or softer going of 2111123 (4-7) and caught the eye when third to course expert Roman Dragon, doing best of those drawn high and best of those to come from off the pace.
3.15 York – SCENIC (1pt win – 3/1 William Hill, 11/4 generally)
SCENIC was left with too much to do off a steady early gallop in the Listed Daisy Warwick Stakes at Goodwood last time, doing well to finish second to Shaha (runs 2.58 Haydock today). The winner was also ridden patiently but Kieran Shoemark pressed the button earlier on the Gosden runner and got first run on Ed Walker’s filly. She returns to the form of her latest success and can confirm the form with Goodwood fourth SUENO, who looks the best option for forecast punters.
6.55 Southwell – AL RUFAA (1pt each-way – 8/1 bet365)
AL RUFAA has found winning difficult in recent seasons, but the veteran looks worth chancing under top weight in the Class 4 contest. Daniel and Claire Kubler’s gelding beat only one home at Newmarket on his return to action but that was in Great Chieftain’s race – a 1m Class 3 handicap that is working out exceptionally well, with five of the ten runners to appear subsequently scoring at the next time of asking for a profit of £9.85 to a £1 level stake at SP. He hasn’t had many opportunities on Tapeta, recording form figures of 21322 (1-5), with the latest defeat by a neck off a 1lb higher mark.
8.10 Lingfield – FRANCISCO (1pt win – 7/1 bet365)
FRANCISCO doesn’t look best drawn in stall 3 of 7 if Lingfield’s ‘Golden Highway’ is open for business but he has four front-runners/prominent racers drawn between him and the rail and there could be a pace collapse. I’m hoping/expecting that Callum Hutchinson will switch him to the rail and wait for the gaps to appear. It’s interesting to see Hutchinson on board as this will be his first start for current handler Patrick Chamings when not ridden by a 7lb claimer. The four-year-old won under Alfie Redman at Wolverhampton two runs ago but Redman gave him a poor ride at Chepstow last time where he turned a good draw (stall 11 of 13) into a poor one by switching from the favoured stands’ side rail to the middle of the track soon after the start. He made good headway widest of all that day to finish six lengths back in sixth, leaving the firm impression that he would have gone close had he stayed on the fence.
Subscribe now for your chance to win a pair of Queen Anne Enclosure tickets for Tuesday at Royal Ascot! Join 20,000+ racing fans and get expert tips, exclusive offers, and exciting giveaways delivered straight to your inbox.
Andrew Mount’s Best Bets
2.10 Chester – NEVER SO BRAVE (2pt win – 11/4 generally)
2.23 Haydock – SHGARAAN (0.5pt each-way – 11/1 bet365, 10/1 generally) 7 BALMORAL LADY (0.5pt each-way – 14/1 betVictor, Coral)
3.15 York – SCENIC (1pt win – 3/1 William Hill, 11/4 generally)
6.55 Southwell – AL RUFAA (1pt each-way – 8/1 bet365)
8.10 Lingfield – FRANCISCO (1pt win 7/1 bet365)
Andrew Mount’s Horse Racing Tips – Saturday, 31st May
Andrew’s Angles – A Look at British vs Irish Trainers on the Flat
During the jumps season we’re used to British trainers being on the receiving end of a good kicking from Willie Mullins and other Irish trainers. It must have been heartbreaking for Dan Skelton to try all season to land his first trainers championship only for Mullins to win easily despite not seemingly bothered until the…
Tue 20 May 2025Looking For More Racing Info? Check Out Our Racecards & Top Tips Sections
Make sure you’re following us on all our social media platforms to keep up to date with all the latest horse racing news and the best tips.