Monday's Racing: Crooked Path Leads High-Confidence Picks
It’s a busy Monday for punters with action across five tracks: Lingfield, Newcastle, Kelso, Redcar, and Tramore. While there are no graded races on today’s card, a handful of standout selections highlight the day, chief among them Crooked Path in the 16:42 at Tramore, priced at 2/3. Backed by a stellar confidence rating of 90%, this is undoubtedly the AI's NAP of the day. Elsewhere, Mafting (7/4, Redcar 16:50) and Gouken (11/10, Newcastle 19:00) offer meaningful chances and solid value.
With 37 races on the docket, including ultra-competitive fields at Tramore and Newcastle, there’s no shortage of action. Here’s where we think the smart money will land, alongside a few juicy longshots you may want to include in your bets. Don’t forget to check today's full racecards and visit see all today's AI tips for a complete rundown.
NAP of the Day: Crooked Path (Tramore 16:42)
It’s hard to look past Crooked Path for the 2m 80y Handicap Chase at Tramore this afternoon. Coming into this on the back of a dominant victory at Clonmel, where the D Hogan-trained six-year-old won by three lengths on good-to-yielding ground, he’ll be carrying the hopes of many punters today. His performance that day was visually striking, with his prominent racing style and smooth jumping making him a cut above. The AI model gives him a whopping 90% confidence rating, the highest of any horse racing today.
Daniel King retains the ride, and his 5lb claim means Crooked Path is well-treated at the weights. The going today (good to yielding) matches his ideal conditions, and this smaller field of nine should help him avoid the calamity of traffic trouble. At 2/3, his odds reflect his dominance, but even at short prices, he looks a banker for your singles or today's accumulator tips.
Value at Redcar: Mafting (7/4, 16:50)
Over at Redcar, the 16:50 Classified Stakes over 1m 2f 1y provides a potential payday for supporters of Mafting. The David O’Meara-trained gelding was second last time out at Doncaster in a similar class race on quick ground, just 1.5 lengths behind the winner. That run marked him as one to follow this spring, having travelled well before being caught late over a slightly longer trip.
Today’s conditions — good to firm with patches of good ground — should be tailor-made for Mafting’s preference for top-of-the-ground affairs. He also has the services of James Doyle, a man in strong form with an impressive strike rate of 23% in the past fortnight. At 7/4, he’s good value as a single or part of any multiple. For full race conditions, head to the Redcar 16:50 racecard.
Dark Horse at Newcastle: Gouken (11/10, 19:00)
On the all-weather at Newcastle, the evening card includes the 6f Class 5 Handicap at 19:00, where Gouken is fancied to notch another win. Trained by Ed Walker and ridden by George Downing, Gouken has already proven he handles the Tapeta surface, having won here over the same trip in February.
That victory came off a mark just 3lbs lower than today, and he wasn’t disgraced when stepped up in class and trip last time at Wolverhampton. Back to his preferred six furlongs and in a slightly softer race, Gouken looks poised to deliver at odds of 11/10. Make sure to compare these runners head-to-head against their rivals for further confidence.
Each-Way Fancies: Longshots Worth Considering
For those who prefer a bigger price, there are a couple of value plays to spice up your Monday docket:
- Amma Lord (40/1, Kelso 17:00): An outsider in a tricky novices’ event, but the Lucy Brown-trained runner has shown glimpses of potential and might sneak into the places if others falter.
- Fair Damsel (18/1, Tramore 18:12): With 16 runners, this 2m 5f handicap chase is wide open, and Carl Millar’s mare has the form to suggest she’s capable of outrunning these odds.
- Call Me Betty (12/1, Newcastle 20:00): A largely consistent operator over this trip, she’s handicapped to strike under the reliable Connor Beasley.
For more longshot ideas, visit our dedicated each-way selections page.
Best Bets Summary
Here’s a quick recap of our top selections for today:
- Crooked Path (2/3, Tramore 16:42): The AI’s NAP of the day with a 90% confidence rating.
- Mafting (7/4, Redcar 16:50): Well-treated and suited by today’s conditions.
- Gouken (11/10, Newcastle 19:00): Back to his ideal trip on a proven surface.
- Fair Damsel (18/1, Tramore 18:12): A big-priced each-way shout in a competitive field.
- Call Me Betty (12/1, Newcastle 20:00): A value play in a tricky 14-runner handicap.
Make sure you’re getting the best value for your bets by using our betting calculator to check returns, and stay updated with the latest results from across today’s meetings. For early insights into tomorrow’s action, don’t forget to visit tomorrow's early selections.
