Fran Berry: Mystery prize | Wednesday's Bellewstown betting preview and tips

Recommended Bets: Wednesday August 26

1pt e.w. Madaket Mystery in 3.45 Bellewstown at 6/1

1pt e.w. Martha’s Vineyard in 6.45 Bellewstown at 10/1

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Bellewstown is a great track to visit, especially on a good day when the sun is shining.

Today, however, it’s wet, very wet and with the ground heavy it’s worth approaching the card with a degree of caution.

That’s not to say I don’t fancy a few as I do, starting with the opening maiden for horses rated 75 or less at 3.45.

Castletownshed and Defilade head the market here, but both are worth taking on with MADAKET MYSTERY at 6/1.

She would’ve been favourite for this race had she not flopped when 16/5 favourite at Tipperary three weeks ago but she’s worth forgiving that run as they went too hard up front and things just didn’t pan out for her from a prominent position.

Hopefully that was just a blip and she can bounce back to the good form she was showing previous to that run on the sort of conditions she likes this afternoon.

Her form behind Star of Cashel reads well in this company and it’s worth remembering she performed well behind that rival despite being poorly drawn on more than one occasion.

She’s nicely drawn in stall two today and is worth an each bet at the general 6/1 (1/5 1,2,3).

Later on the card MARTHA’S VINEYARD (10/1 Bet Victor 1/5 1,2,3,4) looks the one to be on in division one of the mile and a half handicap at 6.45.

The John Joseph Murphy stable are in great form with five winners in the last fortnight and this Born To Sea filly ran a fine race on handicap debut at Killarney a week ago.

She missed the start completely in a first-time hood and was subsequently held-up last and keen, but she made good headway to get into contention.

Green under pressure, she eventually stayed on well to grab second late on and I reckon she will have learnt plenty that day.

Hopefully she’ll have learnt to relax, as if she does the extra furlong today will suit and the 9lb weight-for-age allowance she gets is significant – that age group have won this race the last two years.

Posted at 0951 BST on 26/08/20

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