Charlie McCann's Horse Racing Tips Friday, 7 August - Thirsk, Musselburgh & Haydock
Charlie heads to Haydock on Friday for his best bet
It's a busy day of racing action in the UK and Ireland, and Charlie McCann is here with his exclusive free horse racing tips - only at FreeBets.
4:10pm Thirsk - Sudu
Conditions at Thirsk were described as a mix of good and good to firm – 2mm of rain on Tuesday/Wednesday – with a dry forecast.
The top-weight Master Vintner was slowly away but finished well when second at Kempton last time, but that was a laboured effort in a poor race, and the first-time blinkers will have to improve Ralph Beckett's four-year-old.
That is more than possible, of course, and the gelding was sent off the 2/1 market leader at Newmarket on his seasonal reappearance back in the spring, although he was a bitter disappointment. The money suggested fitness was unlikely to be an issue, and his sole turf success came on heavy ground.
The vote goes to another unexposed four-year-old SUDU who has been keen in the past and is fitted with a hood for his first start since disappointing at last year's Glorious Goodwood meeting. He was an unlucky loser on his first start in 110 days when meeting significant trouble in running at Newbury over this trip last June before scoring by 7l at Epsom from a 10lbs lower mark the following month.
The headgear is a slight concern, but the hope is that there is enough pace for Ray Dawson to bury the selection on the rail from his inside draw, before striking inside the last couple of furlongs. There is no guaranteed pace in the race, which muddies the waters somewhat, although it would not surprise me if Edward Greatrex goes forward on Master Vintner, who I don't believe would be suited by a tactical race.
Recommendation: Sudu - 11/4 with Paddy Power
4:54pm Musselburgh - Misemerald
Monhammer just edged out MISEMERALD over course and distance a week ago, but the latter would surely have prevailed with a clear run – all dressed up and nowhere to go on the rail – and the mare can end a losing run that extends back to her two-year-old days.
The five-year-old is 7lbs better off with Monhammer if you include the fact that the latter was claimer ridden last week, although Paul Mulrennan takes over in the saddle today.
Aiden Brookes takes over from Kevin Stott on Phil Kirby's mare, and both could do with a winner as it would be fair to say that neither are firing in the winners at present. Both are due a change of luck, and Misemerald is drawn to make her challenge more towards the centre of the track this afternoon.
Recommendation: Misemerald - 15/8 with Paddy Power
6:18pm Haydock - Edward Sexton (Each-Way) (Nap)
It is great to see racing back at Haydock Park, and conditions were described as good on Thursday after 6mm of rain this week. There is a dry forecast.
In the 1m6f amateur jockey's contest, Made All would have every chance if getting home over the new trip and his style of running – exaggerated waiting tactics – gives him every chance as he settles nicely and is likely to still be on the bridle two furlongs from home.
The mare Arrange was fitted with cheekpieces for the first time in over three years when beaten less than a length off this mark at Musselburgh a week ago over two miles. The mare is a stone below her last winning mark, which was at this meeting two years ago over two miles.
I would argue that Eireann Cagney is the best rider in the race, and he takes over on the eight-year-old. If the headgear works the oracle for a second time – she has never won with headgear applied – then I feel she will be tough to beat. She sets the standard, but the bar is not that high.
I am going to take a chance with Bumper winner (1m5f) EDWARD SEXTON (Each-Way) (Nap), who finished 10l behind the circus that is Constitution Hill at Kempton (12f) before staying on over an inadequate 10f on handicap debut at Lingfield.
He returns to a more suitable trip this evening and has dropped a couple of pounds to a mark of sixty-five, with David Dunsdon taking over for the first time since the grey ran out in a Punchestown Bumper last May.
I may be putting two and two together and making five, but I am prepared to take a chance on my dodgy maths.
Recommendation: Edward Sexton (Each-Way) (Nap) - 8/1 with bet365 (3 places)
*Betting odds correct at the time of publication. All odds are subject to changes.
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