Monday 5 October has seven meetings across Britain and Ireland, and our three picks come from Yarmouth and Pontefract. Two are handicap sprinters and milers with proven course form, and the each-way selection is in a 14-runner race.
Monday's selections
| Bet | Race | Horse | Price | Stake |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NAP | 4:40 Yarmouth | Drifts Away | SP | 2 pts win |
| Next best | 3:15 Pontefract | The Good Biscuit | SP | 1 pt win |
| Each-way pick | 4:21 Pontefract | Mwafaq | SP | 0.5 pt e/w (3 places, 1/4) |
NAP: Drifts Away (4:40 Yarmouth)
Moulton Racing Club Handicap, 1m 3y, Good to Firm (Good in places), 12 runners
Drifts Away arrives with back-to-back wins on his card (the form reads 08-7119) and has already won over course and distance, so Yarmouth's mile holds no mystery. He has eight wins from 22 career runs, a strike rate that stands out in a 12-runner handicap where several rivals are still chasing a first win.
He carries top weight of 10-1 off a mark of 81, which is a fair ask after two quick wins, but he was last seen only 16 days ago and looks to be in a rhythm. The Good to Firm ground should suit a horse who has been successful at this track.
Main danger: Rogue Allegiance (form 322110) is a course and distance winner and meets him on 1 lb better terms.
Next best: The Good Biscuit (3:15 Pontefract)
Leslie Burton (Fisher) Handicap (Div 1), 6f, Good, 13 runners
The Good Biscuit has won four times over this course and distance and has won three of his last six starts (116151). He has nine wins from 37 runs overall, and only 11 days have passed since his last outing, so he should be sharp.
An official rating of 89 puts him second from the top of the weights in a 13-runner class 3, and he races from stall 11 off a weight of 9-11.
Main danger: Musical Touch (form 171030) is also proven at the trip and drops in with a mark of 86.
Each-way pick: Mwafaq (4:21 Pontefract)
Good Biscuit - Ponte Premiership Champion Handicap, 1m 6y, Good, 14 runners
Mwafaq has finished in the first two in three of his last six races (211257) and has five wins from 20 starts, with eight places in total. He is rated 72, which leaves him on a mark within a couple of pounds of the top of this 14-runner handicap.
He has run over the distance twice, wears cheekpieces and has had 32 days off since his last run, so he should be fresh. In a big field the each-way terms give a cushion.
Main danger: Phone Tag (form 10012-0) won over course and distance but has been off for 142 days.
Monday's meetings
| Course | Going | Races | First - last |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pontefract | Good | 8 | 1:30 - 5:33 |
| Stratford | Good to Firm | 6 | 1:41 - 4:35 |
| Yarmouth | Good to Firm (Good in places) | 7 | 1:15 - 4:40 |
| Kempton | Standard / Slow | 9 | 4:10 - 8:15 |
| Wolverhampton | Standard | 9 | 4:26 - 8:30 |
| Fairyhouse | Good (Good to Yielding in places) | 7 | 1:55 - 5:25 |
| Killarney | Yielding to Soft | 8 | 1:00 - 5:05 |
We settle these tips at the starting price (SP). Stakes are in points: 2 on the NAP, 1 on the next best and 0.5 each way on the each-way pick.
FAQs
What is the NAP of the day for Monday 5 October?
Our NAP is Drifts Away in the 16:40 at Yarmouth. He has won his last two starts and has a course and distance win to his name. He is a 2-point win selection and, like every tip here, is settled at the official starting price.
Which tip is each-way today?
Mwafaq in the 16:21 at Pontefract is our each-way pick. The race has 14 runners, so the each-way terms are worth having, and he has finished in the first two in three of his last six starts.
What is the going at Pontefract on 5 October?
The going at Pontefract is Good. Yarmouth is Good to Firm (Good in places), Kempton is Standard / Slow and Wolverhampton is Standard. Ireland has Good at Fairyhouse and Yielding to Soft at Killarney.
18+ only. Tips are our opinion, not a promise: racing is unpredictable and losing runs happen. Stake only what you can afford to lose. Free, confidential help: BeGambleAware or GamCare on 0808 8020 133.