Charlie McCann's Horse Racing Tips Monday, 31 August - Epsom & Cartmel
Charlie heads to Cartmel on Monday 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.
3:35pm Epsom - Edward Sexton & Crooked Path
Gordon Grey won the corresponding amateur jockeys' derby off a 10lbs lower mark last season for Ben Brookhouse, and new handler George Baker has flown Patrick Mullins across the Irish Sea to take the ride on the six-year-old. The grey finished last of thirteen on soft ground over course and distance when last seen on Derby Day and the recent rain is a negative.
There are no prices available at the time of writing, but I am going to back both EDWARD SEXTON – who did us a favour when landing a gamble at Haydock over an extra two furlongs last time – and the recent Kempton winner CROOKED PATH.
Edward Sexton won a Bumper at Fontwell last March and relished the step up to 1m6f at Haydock for his experienced owner-jockey David Dunsdon last time. A 5lbs rise is fair although the drop back in distance by a quarter of a mile is a slight concern. They went no gallop at Haydock, but the six-year-old picked up nicely when asked, although this is a much stronger race.
The four-year-old Crooked Path won a maiden Hurdle for Denis Hogan in his native Ireland back in the spring and made a winning start for James Owen when getting up close home on the flat at Kempton earlier in the month from a 7lbs lower mark.
He was slowly away last time under Cieren Fallon, and Simon Walker – who has ridden the winner of the corresponding race three times in the last decade – will want to trap a bit better in this more competitive heat.
Recommendations: Edward Sexton - 5/2 with bet365 & Crooked Path - 11/2 with bet365
5:30pm Cartmel - Ghasham (Nap)
A terrific card to finish the season at Cartmel and in the concluding 2m1f+ handicap chase I am going to give GHASHAM (Nap) another chance after he finished a never nearer third at Market Rasen over their extended two miles last time.
The 1-2 in that race occupied the first two places throughout, and Jonathan England could never get his mount into a challenging position. He has form figures of 2-3 over course and distance this summer, and I believe he will appreciate a return to a left-hand track. He has been dropped a pound since his last start, and the England yard had winners over both codes over the weekend.
Course specialist Cusco Du Mathan has dropped to a lenient mark and will relish any rain that hits the course over the weekend. He has been dropped 7lbs for his two course and distance efforts so far this term but has been beaten over fifty lengths combined. A check of the market is advised.
Recommendation: Ghasham (Nap) - 11/4 with bet365
*Betting odds correct at the time of publication. All odds are subject to changes.
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