Monday racing tips: Andy Ayres picks out his best bet for Monday’s racing and has all the latest gambles and gossip straight from the horses mouth
Don't miss out on the most original take from the past weeks racing from our resident Trackman aka. Andy Ayres
RACING people do love their superstitions.
Nigel Twiston-Davies wears a Paddington Bear coat, Jack Berry is never out of a red shirt, while Surrey trainer George Baker relies on odd socks to give him an edge.
Baker certainly sported a natty pair of almond rocks at Lingfield on Friday – one bright red, one sky blue – in an effort to nudge Lady Luck toward his heavily punted Barritus (25-1 to 5-1) in a 6f novice event.
Unfortunately the gelding ran wider than Cherie Blair’s smile turning for home and had to settle for second best after hitting a wall inside the final furlong. He’s built like The Rock’s bigger brother and connections should recoup losses next time.
There was a happier ending for punters in the 7f handicap, where Keyser Soze (2-1 to 4-5) delivered in style after being bet like an absolute certainty.
That win saved the Samaritan’s a phone call, as owner Phil Cunningham was tripping over his bottom lip after watching his colours trial home in rear on the well fancied duo Red Archangel and Philamundo earlier in the afternoon.
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By the way, Adam Kirby reckons it’s a no-brainer that Keyser Soze should be aimed at one of the big pots on AW finals day over Easter and he’ll be double dangerous wherever he goes next.
Good old Peter Hedger was on the mark with Mr Mac (8-1 to 11-2) and judging by the twinkle in his eye this one was very much expected.
Pete reckons he knew the horse would win as soon as cheerful Charlie Bishop got him relaxed at the back of the pack and he’s definitely on the improve.
Lingfield’s Saturday card attracted an embarrassingly small crowd and it wasn’t just the dismal weather that kept punters at home.
For some reason the track executive has agreed that their AW fixtures between now and March will be just six races long and plenty of regulars feel short-changed.
It’s £22 a throw to get into these meetings and for that you want at least seven races and the odd bit of quality for good measure.
The only bit of showbiz on the card was Qatar Racing manager David Redvers, who helicoptered in to watch his recent 200,000gns acquisition Gorgeous Noora make her debut for Archie Watson in the 6f handicap.
Diddy Dave helicoptered out a couple of hours later with the right hump after his filly was hampered more times than Theresa May’s Brexit deal when running home a luckless third.
Trackman's Monday Selection
NATIVE ROBIN (3.25 Fontwell) travels like a good horse and was unlucky to bump into a smart one at Exeter last time.
This filly isn’t the biggest, but she’s on a handy mark and if bold Archie Watson doesn’t win a race with her soon I’m a Dutchman.
Michael Madgwick did a bit of giant slaying at Kempton, where his Vlannon (66-1 to 20-1) beat off horses trained by Messrs Henderson, King and Moore to land a long priced tickle in the juvenile hurdle.
Mrs Madgwick didn’t raise too many dopey sons and I’m told the trainer was most definitely on this one!
Gary Moore heads the trainer’s chart at Fontwell by a country mile and has a big chance in the opener
there today with NOT NEVER (1.20).
The other bet on this card is NATIVE ROBIN (3.25), who bumped into a live one at Exeter last time and will appreciate dropping back into a Class 4 contest.