Horse Racing Tips: Afadil can shine at favourite track

A total of nine race meetings will take place across the UK and Ireland on New Year’s Day, and we've  picked out three bets for your consideration. Here's our horse racing tips for Thursday, January 1.

Happy New Year!

Horse Racing Tips

Fast Racing Results

12:30 Musselburgh  - Scarlet Moon @ 11/10

The Archie Watson-trained Scarlet Moon, an ex–82-rated Flat performer, continues to make steady progress since switching to hurdles and looks well placed to go on again.

He made a strong impression when winning a maiden at Warwick, travelling well before quickening clear, and he now carries a penalty for that success.

Connections took the step into testing the water at a higher level and he shaped with credit when fourth in a Listed juvenile hurdle at Aintree, finishing ahead of several useful rivals in a race that demanded plenty of stamina on soft ground and only dropping away late on.

That was a perfectly respectable effort in a much stronger contest than this New Year’s Day offering, which represents a clear drop back into easier company.

13:40 Musselburgh  - Bel Amigo @ 16/1

Bel Amigo looks a solid contender and arrives in good heart following another dependable effort last time out at Kelso.

He finished second behind an odds-on favourite that day, a run that deserves marking up as he comfortably beat everything else in the field and kept on in a straightforward manner.

The handicapper has taken a lenient view of that performance, leaving him on an unchanged mark, which gives him a clear chance of going one better in a similar contest.

He showed plenty of ability last season with a series of novice hurdle wins, progressing well and posting form that suggested he would be capable of holding his own once switched into handicaps. Those victories came in competitive races and highlighted his sound jumping and willingness to battle, traits that continue to serve him well.

The return to 2m4f looks ideal given his proven stamina without needing an extreme test and conditions should pose no issue. With consistency on his side and recent form holding up well, he looks well placed to be firmly involved once again and shouldn’t be far away at the finish.

15:25 Musselburgh - Afadil @ 9/4

Afadil is worth another look as he has shown he retains plenty of ability this season, while he is a strong performer at Musselburgh, where his sharp-travel style has been well suited in the past.

He also ran well last time out at Sandown, finishing a respectable third in a competitive handicap on testing ground.

That effort suggested he’s back in good order, and with him appearing well handicapped, he looks capable of being involved if he is able to get into a handy rhythm from an early stage.

Horse Racing Tips from Betfred Insights.