The racing on Saturday promises some brilliant betting puzzles for punters to solve. From Newbury and Newmarket, GG tipster Joe Napier gives his four best bets for the ITV action.
12.50 Newbury – Sky Sports Aston Park Stakes (Group 3)
If all eight runners remain, Courage Mon Ami is a fascinating each-way possibility, with the former Gold Cup winner dropping right back in trip. He clearly has a lot of ability and goes well fresh, so the 631-day break could be overcome in this company.
Nevertheless, that layoff is enough of a negative when there is a horse with the quality of SUNWAY in the line-up. David Menuisier’s charge might have to start winning soon, as he failed to do so during a Classic season of close calls, in which he was second in the Irish Derby and third in the St Leger. He also ran perfectly respectably when fourth in the King George.
Given he was well beaten on his three-year-old debut, he may well have needed his return when third over course and distance last time (behind Tabletalk who also runs here). That should have put him right for this, and placed form in Group 1s is strong enough to suggest he can win this and get the monkey off his back.
1.05 Newmarket – Read Meg Nicholls’ Blog At betmgm.co.uk Handicap
After a couple of below par performances on the all-weather, the market has given us a price about HARVARD SOUND. Tom Clover’s side has the rare distinction of having gone off at 1/33 for a race last summer, one of two victories for him in maiden and novice events.
That makes him unbeaten on turf, both of those wins coming over 7f on good-to-firm ground. Since then, he has disappointed on handicap company, but all three have been on all-weather surfaces, on which he has now failed to win in four starts. Those races have been competitive though, with only one seriously disappointing effort.
Back on turf, he should improve again, and the handicapper has continued to ease him further down the ratings. A mark of 84 now looks more realistic, while first-time cheekpieces could also have an effect alongside his ideal conditions.
1.40 Newmarket – JCB Handicap
He did not quite manage to develop as expected at two, but ART MARKET got back to winning ways on his first turf start of 2025 recently. That suggests he might find his stride in some fashion at three, while William Haggas is firing in winners at a startling 33% clip in the past two weeks.
The son of Calyx was a slow learner, but gained plenty of experience at two. After three defeats in novice company, he won his first two nursery starts before finding his ceiling, at least as a juvenile.
That ceiling looks to have risen since though, as off a mark of 79, he won with more than a length to spare over course and distance last month. He is without Tom Marquand, but Cieren Fallon should be a more than able deputy and a 5lb rise looks perfectly reasonable for his latest victory.
2.00 Newbury – Trade Nation London Gold Cup Handicap
In terms of recent seasons, Aidan O’Brien has only sent runners for the last two years, one of whom won, and one of whom finished third. Genealogy is respected as a result, but his rating of 96 is not obviously generous.
The Gosdens’ record is mixed meanwhile, despite sending out the winner three years ago, but they look to have two serious chances here. The less exposed ERNST BLOFELD is preferred to Nebras despite there being three lengths between the pair in the latter’s favour last time. That Listed form did not get boosted by Alpine Trail in the Dante, but they both retain potential.
The Gosden yard had a couple of promising runners in the Dante, so it is possible their three-year-olds are finding form. Ernst Blofeld is rated 6lb below his stablemate and has had one run fewer, while this bigger field may help him to settle. William Buick is a positive jockey booking for him too.
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