Baron Alco and Formidableopponent among Plumpton and Musselburgh tips for Monday

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Baron Alco odds and Formidableopponent bets are among Coral's Plumpton punts and Musselburgh tips for November 14.

Baron Alco odds and Formidableopponent bets look the pick of the bunch as Coral horse racing experts give their Plumpton punts and Musselburgh tips for November 14…

Baron Alco odds a safe bet among Plumpton punts

Baron Alco gets an eye-catching outing in the class 3 SIS Novices’ Chase over an extended 2m 3f at Plumpton on Monday (13:35), and looks to have scared most of the opposition away.

Racing here with an unchanged weight of 11st 2lb on board, Gary Moore’s five-year-old drops down in class, but steps up in trip after a promising performance to place at Cheltenham last time out.

Finishing a one-and-a-half-length third of eight to Marracudja around Prestbury Park, Baron Alco held every chance at the final flight, but didn’t jump fluently.

The chestnut gelding was not alone in doing so, however, and just three race rivals oppose him at Plumpton. Baron Alco is a more than worthy favourite here, because he’s won his last three when competing at class 3 level.

Earls Fort worth doubling up on

A favourites’ double at Plumpton appeals if punters side with Earls Fort in the class 4 amateur riders’ handicap hurdle over an extended two-and-a-half miles (14:40).

Neil Mulholland’s six-year-old recorded swift back-to-back victories under penalties at Chepstow and Sedgefield at the end of October, racing prominently in both.

James King takes 3lb off with his claim, meaning Earls Fort will carry just a couple of pounds more in the saddlebags from when last successful.

Wins by three and four lengths show the slight rise in weight will be no problem for Earls Fort, so pairing him with Baron Alco makes perfect sense.

Plumpton punts

13:35 Baron Alco
14:40 Earls Fort
Double to win

Formidableopponent bets the pick among Musselburgh tips

A massive 15lb drop in weight could well work to the advantage of any Formidableopponent bets made in the extended class 3 2m 7f handicap chase at Musselburgh (14:20).

William Young junior’s nine-year-old was narrowly beaten a neck by the re-opposing Proud Gamble over course and distance on November 2, but they now meet on 2lb better terms for the selection.

That could be the difference between victory and settling for runner-up spot again. Prior to that close loss, Formidable opponent won five races on the spin.

Blue Kascade will attract some support in this race, but is clearly a Wetherby specialist, while Proud Gamble runs off bottom weight.

No horse can boast the same career profile as Formidableopponent, though, so side with him to return to winning ways.

Desert Island Dusk each-way value

In the 2m 3f handicap hurdle that brings proceedings to a close (15:50), Desert Island Dusk represents each-way value now taking a drop in class.

This five-year-old defied top weight to land a novices’ hurdle over 2m at Hexham over the summer, before connections rested him up.

Although Desert Island Dusk could only post a 12 1/2 length fourth of seven to Traditional Dancer at Carlisle on his seasonal appearance, he should strip better here for that outing.

The selection’s career profile shows he does need a run after a break to blow the cobwebs away.

Another plus about Desert Island Dusk is jockey Daragh Bourke takes 5lb off with his claim, meaning the horse races at just 2lb higher in the weights than when last successful.

Back a return to Halcyon Days

In the class 4 novices’ handicap chase over an extended 2m (13:20), Halcyon Days looks worth a wager to follow up on his victory at Ayr for handler Rebecca Menzies.

This seven-year-old was placed in his previous three runs and that progression indicates he’s come to the boil nicely.

Although up in weight here, there’s still 11lb difference between Halcyon Days and early second-favourite Thankyou Very Much.

Musselburgh tips for November 14

13:20 Halcyon Days (NB)
14:20 Formidableopponent (NAP)
15:50 Desert Island Dusk (E/W)

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