Nap of the day: best horse racing tips for the day's five meetings
Saturday's best bets from the Racing Post's unbeatable Spotlights team
Ascot
3.45: Monbeg Genius
There are realistic each-way claims among the others, particularly Larry who has won this race once already, but the three to concentrate on may well be MONBEG GENIUS (nap), Yeah Man and Mucho Mas, who are preferred in that order. Yeah Man (for the in-form Gavin Cromwell) and Mucho Mas are very strong candidates for further improvement this season but the much higher-profile Monbeg Genius has actually run in only five chases himself, and nine races overall under rules, and his improved form when third at the Cheltenham Festival was boosted when the two rivals he crossed swords with on the run-in went on to even greater success the following month.
Richard Austen
Ayr
2.15: Famous Bridge
Nicky Richards' FAMOUS BRIDGE (nap) ended last season in excellent form and is taken to complete his hat-trick on this reappearance outing. C&D winner Grand Voyage was very much on the back foot after a significant jumping error in the early stages of his seasonal debut but he may still have taken some benefit from that outing and is on a workable mark. Dubai Days is third on the list.
Chris Wilson
Chelmsford
5.30: Mitigator
Kodi Noir, Storm Asset and Cariad (second choice) all have something to recommend them at this level but MITIGATOR (nap) went close over C&D last month and is surely capable of winning a similar event.
Paul Smith
Newmarket
1.37: Tipsy Tiger
A nursery over 8.3f at Nottingham 17 days ago saw TIPSY TIGER (nap) languish in the rear for most of the race but he found his stride in no uncertain fashion late in the day to win on heavy going. That race panned out perfectly for him but this one over a longer distance will also surely be resolved in a right slog, for which he looks well equipped. New Chelsea showed at Newbury that he too can handle heavy going, albeit having the win snatched from him on the post and with connections having him gelded since. He is feared most, ahead of Bust A Move who may turn the tables on Classy Boy who had the edge on him at York.
Richard Austen
Santa Anita
11.25: Motorious
Belvoir Bay made all the running from post 12 in this race at the last Santa Anita Breeders' Cup in 2019, so the rapid British contender Live In The Dream may show them the way home this time. However, he couldn't see it through at Keeneland last time. Yes, that was an extra half-furlong and the inside of the track, where he raced, may have been dead. But he's pure speed and he'll likely face heat for the lead, whereas Belvoir Bay had the stamina to see it through, having won over 1m earlier in her career. Last year's winner Caravel has fair claims but with the nagging doubt that her peak days may now be behind her. MOTORIOUS (nap) and Arzak appeal most. They are drawn wide but should be able to slot in off a good pace, and they're both better than ever and pack strong finishing punches. Preference is for Motorious as he has done it over this trip in California and comes into this race suitably fresh and with a good work pattern. He'll go well.
Ron Wood
Wetherby
2.25: Thyme Hill
Dual Grade 1 hurdle winner THYME HILL (nap) added a Grade 1 novice chase last December and he has had a generally solid reappearance record over the years. He earns the vote ahead of Botox Has, who goes well fresh and is second choice ahead of last season's Stayers' Hurdle runner-up Dashel Drasher, who wasn't at his best on last autumn's reappearance, albeit still winning.
Ben Hutton
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The Punt Acca: Harry Wilson's three horse racing tips at Ascot and Chelmsford on Saturday afternoon
Saturday's free racing tips: six horses to consider putting in your multiples
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Published on inFree tips
Last updated
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- Chelmsford Placepot tips: Graeme Rodway with his selections for the £50,000 guaranteed pool
- The Punt Acca: Charlie Huggins found 6-1, 2-1 and 15-8 winners last time he was on tipping duty and has three selections on Thursday
- Free horse racing tips for Thursday, December 12 at Taunton, Warwick, Newcastle and Chelmsford
- Spotlight Lucky 15 tips: four horses to back at Dundalk, Hereford, Hexham and Kempton on Wednesday
- Why this horse can win: free tips for the seven televised races on ITV on Saturday