The Timeform racing experts provide their best bets for Saturday's action.
Racing betting tips: Saturday December 21
1pt win Old Harrovian in 5.05 Southwell at 11/2 (bet365)
1pt win Many A Star in 6.35 Southwell at 11/2 (bet365)
Old Harrovian - 5.05 Southwell (James Cooper)
There are no expected weather issues at Southwell and the best race on the card is the middle-distance handicap (5.05).
Moon Over Miami’s return to action adds serious lustre to the contest and a handicapping case can certainly be made for him on return from eight months off having won both career starts.
He’s found his way to the head of the market on all-weather debut, though, so OLD HARROVIAN, another lightly-raced sort, appeals more at the prices.
Thought good enough to contest a Group 3 on the back of a brace of victories on an artificial surface in 2023, Old Harrovian missed the best part of a year after.
His placed effort at Kempton in November was his most encouraging yet (the winner has advertised the form since) and, representing a leading stable, he looks very interesting with this slight step up in trip also in his favour.
Many A Star – 6.35 Southwell (David Johnson)
The pair of recent winners with penalties head the early betting, but this looks more than a two-horse race and MANY A STAR looks a good bet to overcome them both. He’s a well-treated horse again now from a BHA mark of 78 considering wins last winter (including over C&D) came off 77 and 81, while he was twice runner-up at Windsor in the summer off 88.
He returned to form at Newmarket’s final meeting of the year in November and has had excuses having been drawn wide under a 3-lb claimer back on all-weather on his last two starts, doing particular well to still finish third at Chelmsford behind Rebel Path on the most recent outing.
He takes a slight drop in grade now and has the current leading all-weather rider, Hector Crouch, up for the first time, so looks set to make a bold bid for all the draw gods have again not been the kindest.
Published at 1703 GMT on 03/01/25
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