Newbury is the primary meeting live on ITV on Saturday, and Matty Sutcliffe returns to his value outlook with two best bets on the card.
Published: 2.25pm Thursday, 15th August (Odds correct at time of writing)
2:25 Newbury – Play The BetVictor Predictor Now Handicap (Class 3) (3yo+ 0-88) – Kuwait City 9/1 bet365/Hills 1pt WIN
KUWAIT CITY hasn’t shaped without promise over an inadequate six furlongs on his last three starts and now he drops back in trip, he rates a worthy bet.
The son of Pearl Secret was never put into the contest at York by Jack Gilligan last time out in a race which paid to be drawn low and race prominently. Kuwait City was dropped right out in rear and detached four lengths from the field, but he was still travelling comfortably enough and notably quickened up, clocking the quickest fourth and fifth furlong. Ultimately, he was given too much to do and after making that initial burst of speed he weakened late on, consigned to hands and heels.
It was a similar case here on his penultimate run, where the first three home were all drawn high toward to the stand’s side rail and the 2nd/3rd were always prominent. Kuwait City travelled strongly on the far-side in rear and initial made good headway to dispute second a furlong out, but weekend quickly to lose several places late on, again shaping as if a drop in distance will suit.
There is a suspicion that the time to catch him could be in the earlier part of the season (all three wins have come in April/May), but he’s dropped 2lbs below his last winning mark and should get a strong toe in the contest given he’s drawn around the pace and those toward the fore of the market. Jim Crowley returns for the ride and can fare well now granted favourable conditions.
3:35 Newbury – BetVictor Hungerford Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (3yo+) – Jumby 14/1 1pt EW 2 places
It’s easy to see why JUMBY is the rank outsider in this field with his form drastically tapering off since his second to Audience in the Criterion Stakes last July. The yard have been inconsistent throughout the season and not firing on all cylinders, by Jumby finally bounced back to form last week with a length defeat off top weight in a Newmarket handicap. He was giving 16lbs and 18lbs away to the pair in front of him, posting an RPR of 105 which is the second highest of any of these runners from last time out (Kikkuli was 106).
On that basis, he’s entitled to take this step up back in to group company providing he builds on that performance, and given he’s turned out relatively quickly, the yard must feel he’s well within himself and should strike while the irons hot.
This smaller field contest should suit with his top five RPR’s coming in field’s of eight or under, and the return of William Buick also bodes well as he’s been aboard for three of his six career wins and a further three places (overall record reads 113631200, including a win in this contest in 2022.
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