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Free racing tips: Simon Holt previews New Year's Day action at Exeter and Musselburgh


Top commentator Simon Holt has two bets for the New Year's Day action at Musselburgh with Cool Mix fancied to strike in Scotland.

Racing betting tips: Friday, January 1

1pt win Rosie And Millie in 1.55 Musselburgh at 6/1

2pts win Cool Mix in 3.05 Musselburgh at 11/2

For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record


With Cheltenham's New Year's Day card sadly abandoned, ITV will provide coverage from Musselburgh where the front-running ROSIE AND MILLIE should be well suited by the flat, right-handed circuit in the Betway Hogmaneigh Handicap Hurdle.

A long-distance traveller from Michael Scudamore's Herefordshire yard, this tough and honest mare has run well on all three starts this season, finishing fourth behind Mrs Hyde and Verdana Blue in a red-hot listed event at Wetherby, second to the smart (and well handicapped) Buzz at Ascot and latterly fourth to Benson at Sandown where she was clearly found out by the searching conditions.

Although successful at left-handed Ayr last season, Rosie And Millie has a tendency to jump right so should save plenty of ground here assuming jockey Brendan Powell endeavours to repeat her normal tactics in a race in which there are no other confirmed pace-setters.

Later on, COOL MIX can continue his good run of form this season in the Betway 'Auld Reekie' Handicap Chase.

The Iain Jardine-trained grey is 5lb higher than when finishing third to Nuts Well in this race last year and has clearly improved since, beating Sky Pirate and Storm Control at Wetherby (2m3f) first time out before finishing third at Aintree (behind Modus) and third again at Newcastle in the Rehearsal Chase won by Yorkhill.

Cool Mix seems tactically versatile but forced the pace 12 months ago, and one would anticipate a prominent ride again with in-form Conor O'Farrell doing the steering in a race which looks set to be run at a good pace.

Published at 1525 GMT on 31/12/20


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