There’s a real mixed bag for racing fans on Saturday as there’s Flat racing at Newbury, with a spectacular jumping alternative from Market Rasen. Our in-house tipster Steve Chambers has taken a look at the form and picked out his best bets…
2:25pm Newbury – Mettal UK Handicap
Well beaten in the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot, NAQEEB is looking to bounce back to form in the Mettal UK Handicap at Newbury at 2:25pm. Closely related to the Group-winning pair of Hukum and Baaeed, Naqeeb has been struggling to emulate last season’s performances that saw him claim two wins on the bounce at Kempton and Haydock.
Third in the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket at the start of the season, a repeat of that effort should see him go very close here off a mark of 103 and the trip should see him blossom and he can strike gold in a decent betting heat.
Matthew Sutcliffe’s Value Punts – Best Bets For Newbury And Market Rasen On Saturday
There’s a mixture of Flat and National Hunt racing on Saturday afternoon, as Newbury provides the action on the level, while the jumping takes place at Market Rasen. Our value tipster Matty Sutcliffe picks out his best bets for the weekend, which are all available at big prices… Published: 1.47pm, Thursday, 18th July (Prices correct…
Thu 18 Jul 20242:40pm Market Rasen – Unibet Daily Industry Best Prices Summer Handicap Hurdle
Adrian Keatley’s KIHAVAH has been competing on the Flat in recent outings and having finished down the field in the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot, the seven-year-old was then unable to land a blow in the John Smith’s Cup at York last weekend. However, he’s sent back over hurdles on Saturday for the hugely competitive Summer Handicap Hurdle at Market Rasen and looks a lively player.
He was a winner on his last start over timber, which incidentally came at Market Rasen, so he has to be given the utmost respect, as he comes with fitness on his side. He’s 5lbs higher than that winning mark, but if the return to the National Hunt sphere can bring on some improvement then he is the one to beat.
3:00pm Newbury – Fidelity Energy Hackwood Stakes
Regional and Elite Status are two classy sprinters taking their chance in the Group 3 Hackwood Stakes and they certainly set the standard, but Henry Candy’s TWILIGHT CALLS is a fascinating runner now stepped back up to six furlongs for this contest.
Seen competing over five furlongs in top class sprints in recent times, Twilight Calls has been struggling to land a blow, as he can often miss the break and is kept out the back. Unleashing a late run he can find it tough to reel in his rivals, so a return to six furlongs should give him the chance to get his head in front. Sixth in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot, when staying on, is decent form, so if he can maintain a prominent position through the early stages then he can unleash his late surge to land the prize.
3:15pm Market Rasen – Unibet Summer Plate Handicap Chase
Dan Skelton will unleash a dual-pronged attack on the Summer Plate at 3:15pm and all eyes are likely to be on Boombawn, who is the mount of stable jockey Harry Skelton and the seven-year-old is looking to build on a second placed finish last time out. However, it could be his stablemate RISKINTHEGROUND that could be the better value, as the seven-year-old bids for a four-timer.
Wins at Hereford, Fakenham and Uttoxeter has seen him rocket up the handicap and he will need to defy another 5lbs rise in Saturday’s contest. But, a figure of 127 looks well within his capabilities and heading to the contest in the form of his life he looks a cracking each-way play.
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