Before I kick things off with my tips for this Saturday, congratulations must go to the ITV Racing team on their BAFTA win. They are an honour to our sport, and they deserve all the praise for their excellent coverage. Let’s hope we can be winning this weekend too with ITV broadcasting from Newmarket and Newbury.
Good luck!
2:05 Newmarket
This is a tough little contest here and I am siding with Declaration Of War for Richard Hannon who looked really smart when taking his maiden and could follow up in this three runner affair. He is pretty well regarded at home and although he has a favourite to beat, I’d expect him to run very well here.
2:25 Newbury
I cannot wait to see Crystal Ocean. He is a horse I am very excited about and I was delighted when he made a winning return at Sandown last month. He will improve a fair bit from that effort, and stepping up in trip should work in his favour here. Sir Michael Stoute is a master at slowly improving these four-year-olds, and I’d strong expect him to win this. Him and The Irish Rover would be a nice Ryan Moore double.
2:40 Newmarket
I watched Purser’s debut win and remember thinking this horse might win the Guineas, that didn’t happen but he might be able to win this! He is a classy sort who just battled on so well to win over course and distance last time, and I think he can rise quite far up the ranks over the seven furlong trip this year. There are some horses here who we don’t know a lot about, but he is one to keep alongside.
3:00 Newbury
I remember quite fondly a horse called Defoe winning this race last season, and Roger Varian will have primed Masaarr for this tricky handicap contest. I’ve heard some really good things about this horse and I expect him to continue improving throughout the season. He won well last time at Doncaster, staying on in fine fashion, so comes here in peak form. Conditions will suit him and he can go well.
3:15 Newmarket
At a bit of a big price I like the chances of Rebel Streak for Andrew Balding. He’s been quite unlucky not to have won a race yet, finishing second and third in some good maidens. He’ll like the ground at HQ, and he looks to be fairly handicapped. It’s an open race and he most certainly has a leading chance.
3:40 Newbury
Lancaster Bomber is one I think could run a huge race here at what looks a very big price for Aidan O’Brien. He will love these conditions having finished second on quick ground in competitive Group Ones in America and Canada. He’s a half-brother to the brilliant Excelebration, who really improved as a four-year-old and I think Lancaster Bomber could outrun his big odds here.
