Andrew signs off before a week of annual leave (next column Sunday 28 May) with three recommended bets/trades on Saturday, May 20th. 

NEWBURY 1.50 – DOUBLE DRAW OF WINNER

The draw has also played a key role in the Listed Carnarvon Stakes, as it often does on the straight course at Newbury. It was a huge advantage to be drawn low and race centre to far side at last month’s Greenham meeting and simply backing stalls 1 and 2 blind in the Carnarvon would have found four of the last ten winners (from 20 bets) for a profit of £21.75. Just putting the two lowest-drawn runners in the Placepot would have seen us safely through to leg two in seven of the last eight years. This suggests that DESERT COP (stall 1) and, in particular, hat-trick seeking RABAAH (stall 2) are not out of it at big prices (16-1 and 10-1 respectively at the time of writing) and the best way to side with this pair is to sell DOUBLE DRAW OF WINNER with Spreadex.

Andrew Mount's Recommendation: Sell DOUBLE DRAW OF WINNER in Newbury 1.50

NEWBURY 3.00 – DOUBLE DRAW OF WINNER

The draw can also help us to narrow the field in the 1m2f London Cup Heritage Handicap, with stalls 1, 2 or 3 having won five of the past ten renewals (+£22.00 to a £1 level stake at SP). At least one of the stall 1, 2 or 3 runners hit the frame in the five blank years. I want to have OLD SMOKE (stall 1), HAVE SECRET (stall 2) and DESERT HERO (stall 3) on my side and a sell of DOUBLE DRAW OF WINNER with Spreadex is the recommendation. Fixed odds punters might want to back the biggest-priced pair – Old Smoke and Have Secret – each-way.

Andrew Mount's Recommendation: Sell DOUBLE DRAW OF WINNER in Newbury 3.00

DONCASTER 8.20 – CAPTAIN CUDDLES

The Richard Hannon-trained CAPTAIN CUDDLES was only seventh of the nine runners in a 7f Class 2 handicap at Newbury’s Greenham meeting but raced on the slowest ground towards the stands’ side rail and that run in easily excused. Stablemate DARK THIRTY, only fourth in that race, has finished second at Newmarket and won at York in two subsequent outings (both in Class 3 company) and Captain Cuddles looks very interesting now dropping to Class 4 level and cutting back to 6f. His only previous run at this trip resulted in a fast-ground Salisbury success, which also came on the back of an unplaced effort at Newbury, and the drying conditions will help.

Andrew Mount's Recommendation: Back CAPTAIN CUDDLES in Doncaster 8.20

Please note that the picks recommended in this blog post are based on past performance and should not be considered a guarantee for future winning outcomes, and it is important to remember that spread betting carries a high level of risk to your capital and can result in losses larger than your initial stake/deposit. The views within this preview are those of Andrew Mount, professional tipster and journalist, and not those of Spreadex.