Free racing tips: Betting advice from leading tipster David Massey

Recommended Bets: November 5

1pt win The Triple Pillar in 1.37 Market Rasen at 20/1 (minimum 14/1)

1pt win Just So Cool in 2.40 Market Rasen at 6/1 (minimum 9/2)

0.5pts e.w Barton Knoll in 3.05 Newbury at 22/1 (minimum 16/1)

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Look Out, Ol’ Mackie Is Back (In Form) - Barton Knoll, 3.05 Newbury

In the early 90’s, I always used to keep a close eye on John Mackie’s horses, mainly because he trained quite near to where I lived, and if his horses were well fancied, they often got backed at the small, independent bookies in our town. The likes of Haditovski, Mr Setaside and Andermatt were frequently given a cheer in our household when then appeared on the TV on a Saturday, and they often paid for a few pints for my old Grandad down the pub that night.

So it pleases me to see John having a few winners at present, and Barton Knoll might be able to add to the list here. A lovely, big old stamp of a chaser, he came good off a 5lb lower mark at Haydock last year before disappointing at Uttoxeter, probably finding the race coming too quickly. Indeed, a break did him good, as he came back to take part in this race last year, jumping and travelling well to the extent he traded 2.6 in the run before getting run out of it late, beaten four lengths.

He’s now 2lb lower and again finds himself coming back from an absence, but he can clearly go well fresh, conditions aren’t an issue and in a race where we found ourselves questioning a few that are towards the head of the market, he looks good each-way value. Given he can often travel well, as he did last year, those so inclined could also have him as a back-to-lay too.

We'll stick with an each-way wager at 22s - you can get five places at that price with Sky Bet and four places at Betfair, Paddy Power and Betway.

From Pillar To Post - The Triple Pillar 1.37 Market Rasen

Another race where we’d question the credentials of a few of those towards the head of the market to be the price they are, and the more we looked at it, the more we thought The Triple Pillar looked overpriced on his chase debut today.

I actually saw him on his point-to-point debut at Garthorpe back in February of last year, where he was one of the better lookers in the field and he ran the useful General Arrow to three lengths, with the rest in a different parish. He did little to dispel the notion he might be decent when beaten under a length at Warwick after looking the likely winner coming to the last on his hurdles debut in September, and wasn’t disgraced at Uttoxeter last time either. After just the two starts he goes straight into chase handicaps and he looks the sort to progress this winter. The step up to 3m looks sure to suit too, and at the prices, he makes plenty of appeal.

Cool Switch Can Pay Dividends - Just So Cool, 2.40 Market Rasen

An angle that’s paying out with some regularity at the moment is the David Dennis/Tom Symonds partnership, with Dennis stopping training in his own name and becoming assistant to Tom, moving many of his horses with him at the same time. The likes of Innisfree Lad, Hahadi and Schnabel have all benefited from a new regime, winning five times between them, and Just So Cool could be another to add to the list here.

It isn't just the trainer change that makes him interesting, it’s also the fact he’s returning to the scene of his best effort of last season when second to Strong Glance, who himself was well handicapped at the time. He’s over slightly further today but that shouldn’t be an issue, is 3lb lower than that effort, and the booking of Brian Hughes is hardly a bad thing either.

We can see him going off a lot shorter than his current price, and he merits a win bet.

Preview posted 1750 GMT on 04/11/2020

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