Today's Horse Racing Tips: Teacher to school his rivals

With Cheltenham and Exeter abandoned, I have picked out two bets for today’s racing at Southwell and Musselburgh. Enjoy your day. Keep safe and Happy New Year to all of you.

Southwell Tip

12:40 – 1m Bombardier “March To Your Own Drum” Handicap (Class 6)

GEOGRAPHY TEACHER (NAP – 1 point win bet at 11/4) was a comfortable 3.75-length winner over this course and distance two weeks ago and can follow up off just a 4lb higher mark. After travelling well behind the leaders, Clifford Lee’s mount found plenty for pressure off the home turn and kept on strongly to the line. That was his fifth career success on Southwell’s fibresand surface, so he clearly relishes racing at the Nottinghamshire All Weather track. With most of the other runners badly out of form or yet to win a race, I fancy the top weight to make a winning start to 2021. Crazy Spin and Compass Point should provide the greatest challenges.

Musselburgh Tip

13:55 – 1m7½f Betway Hogmaneigh Handicap Hurdle (Class 2)

Paul Nicholls sends Miranda on the long trip north and his daughter of Camelot looks to have a strong winning chance. She made a successful return to action at Ludlow last month and has an overall record of 4-7, with all her wins coming on good to soft or soft ground.

However, with a host of non-runners, I think CAIUS MARCIUS (0.5 point each-way bet at 16/1) is now overpriced and he can either cause an upset or chase home the likely favourite. This Nicky Richards-trained ten-year-old is slipping down the handicap and will race off just 11-1 today when factoring in the claim of jockey Danny McMenamin. Although he was well beaten, he lined up in an Ascot Listed race two starts back and wasn’t disgraced at Doncaster last time out. He would ideally want better ground, but with a dry day forecast and just 1mm of rain overnight, conditions shouldn’t inconvenience him.