Andrew heads to the jumps fixtures at Ayr and Newbury for his two recommended bets/trades on Wednesday, December 20th.

AYR 12.25 – DOUBLE NUMBER OF WINNER

There are two I want to side with in this eight-runner 2m2f novices’ handicap hurdle – number 7, AM STILL HERE, and number 6, BEAT THE RETREAT, so a buy of DOUBLE NUMBER OF WINNER with Spreadex is the suggestion. AM STILL HERE has recorded form figures of 588 (0-3) in his short career, with the defeats by a combined margin of 102 lengths, but the Nicky Richards-trained four-year-old looks a likely improver now racing in handicap company for the first time. His last-time-out 100-1 eighth of 15 at Catterick was better than it looked on paper as the first three finishers from that 2m3f contest – Bugsie Seagull, Here Comes Georgie and Got Your Back – have all won in the past few days (at odds of 9-5, 100-30 and 8-11 respectively). BEAT THE RETREAT is having his second run after a wind operation – a positive statistical angle for the Nick Alexander yard – and he would have needed his comeback run when fourth at Kelso.

Recommendation: Buy DOUBLE NUMBER OF WINNER in Ayr 12.25

NEWBURY 12.50

SAMAZUL was beaten by 59 lengths when a 12-1 eighth of 13 at Exeter last time but that was his hurdles debut and it was an extremely hot race won by Gidleigh Park. The runner-up, Range, won well at Chepstow next time and the fourth and sixth have since performed with credit in defeat. Ben Pauling’s son of Blue Bresil is likely to take a step forward with that run behind him and can sneak into the frame at a big price. Buy in the Spreadex 50-30-20-10 market.

Recommendation: Back SAMAZUL in Newbury 12.50

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.