Saturday’s racing is significant for both codes. Classic clues will be available at Newbury, while the Scottish Grand National is one of the signature handicaps of the jumps season at Ayr.
Matty Sutcliffe has scoured the Saturday cards and has five selections across Newbury and Ayr.
Newbury Racing Tips (Saturday 18 April)
The two key Classic trials at Newbury are the Fred Darling Stakes and Greenham Stakes. Matty has selections in both, as well as a third tip later on the card.
1:25 Newbury – Dubai Duty Free Stakes (Registered As The Fred Darling Stakes) (Group 3) (Fillies) (Class 1) (3yo) – Sukanya 20/1 1pt EW 4 places
Sukanya is winless since her convincing course success on debut here last June, but she’s held her own in competitive races since and can outrun her odds now back here.
She was only beaten four lengths in the Princess Margaret Stakes, before stepping up to seven furlongs when a three lengths third at Goodwood. That form in particular reads well, as she was 3/4l begins the now 108 rated Aylin, who won the May Hill Stakes, and the winner has won two Group 1s since.
Sukanya was then second to the subsequent Prix Marcel Boussac winner Diamond Necklace at Leopardstown, and likely paid the price there for racing up with the pace with the Coolmore pacesetter. Her effort can be upgraded in that respect, and were can perhaps draw a line through her sole poor effort when keen without cover from the off in the Rockfel Stakes.
Her dam was a winner at three having been unraced at two, and the majority of her family were better as they aged, so I’m expecting her to take a step forward for a yard who won this in 2018 and had the 33/1 second in the race last season.
2:00 Newbury – Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes (Group 3) (Colts & Geldings) (Class 1) (3yo) – Title Role 11/2 1pt WIN
Zavateri was kind to the column last season and is a horse I’ve a huge admiration for, but I do wonder whether he’ll be fully wound up for this with the 2000 Guineas on the agenda and it may pay to chance the race fit Title Role, who’s been in strong form over in Meydan in the winter.
The son of Too Darn Hot was beaten by a short head on debut here by Humidity, who won the Chesham next time out before finishing his season with a length second to 2000 Guineas contender Bow Echo.
He bolted up at Kempton next time out, before a good third to a subsequent winner on Meydan debut. He’s won comfortably twice since including in a Meydan Guineas trial beating a Godolphin trio, and he won the Meydan 2000 Guineas in a strong manner when beating a Godolphin pair, including Talk Of New York who won a Conditions race at Newmarket this week.
He appears to be improving with every run, and if the winter exertions haven’t taken their toll then he’ll be more ripe than most to strike here.
2:35 Newbury – Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes (Registered As The John Porter Stakes) (Group 3) (Class 1) (4yo+) – Al Aasy 7/2 1pt WIN
He’s not getting any younger, but Al Aasy tends to revel in this grade and he may be ready for this more than most. His form figures in Group three company reads 16114125112314159 (8-17) and his Newbury form reads 11412149 (4-8) including winning this race in 2021. His form figures fresh reads 35141521 and I wouldn’t be surprised if stablemate Tenability is pencilled in to set this up for him off the pace.
Ayr Racing Tips (Saturday 18 April)
Ayr hosts the Scottish Grand National and Scottish Champion Hurdle. Matty has a tip for the latter race among two on the card.
2:20 Ayr – Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle (A Limited Handicap) (Grade 2) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) – Captain Hugo 9/2 1pt WIN
Captain Hugo’s sole career blip came when falling at Musselburgh three out despite travelling well, but outside of that his form reads 211211 and is still progressive. His hurdles debut was a winning one at Newbury in November, where he beat the now 141-rated Sinnatra and the now 144 rated Storming George, who reversed that form with each other when second and first in Grade one company at Aintree. In fourth there was the G2 Dovecote winner Klub De Reve, with that form line undoubtedly one of the strongest in here.
His latest win came in the Morebattle Hurdle at Musselburgh when travelling sweetly in behind the leaders, before taking up the lead after the last and staying on strongly to the line. That form has worked out nicely with the fifth winning a handicap at the Aintree festival, albeit disqualified for whip misuse, and the sixth was close up in the County Hurdle.
He was raised 6lbs for that, but Morebattle winners have gone well here in the past and given his break since then, he’s likely to be primed for this.
2:55 Ayr – Jordan Electrics Ltd Seafield Trophy Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+) – Twistthenightaway 7/2 2pt WIN
After form figures of 556 over shorter trips in novice/maiden company over hurdles, the Skelton trained Twistthenightaway has transformed herself in handicap company over further unbeaten in two starts and the way in which she travelled through the latest one suggests she’s still way ahead of her mark despite a 6lbs rise.
Her third to Charisma Cat, now rated 132, on bumper debut reads well, as does her form behind Dream Shadow who beat the Cheltenham Festival winner White Noise in Listed company on Wednesday.
The Skeltons won this with a progressive mare in 2022, and they can follow up here with the well bred daughter of Walk In The Park off an eye-catching low weight.
Matty Sutcliffe’s Best Bets
1:25 Newbury – Dubai Duty Free Stakes (Registered As The Fred Darling Stakes) (Group 3) (Fillies) (Class 1) (3yo) – Sukanya 20/1 1pt EW 4 places
2:00 Newbury – Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes (Group 3) (Colts & Geldings) (Class 1) (3yo) – Title Role 11/2 1pt WIN
2:20 Ayr – Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle (A Limited Handicap) (Grade 2) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) – Captain Hugo 9/2 1pt WIN
2:35 Newbury – Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes (Registered As The John Porter Stakes) (Group 3) (Class 1) (4yo+) – Al Aasy 7/2 1pt WIN
2:55 Ayr – Jordan Electrics Ltd Seafield Trophy Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+) – Twistthenightaway 7/2 2pt WIN
FAQs
What are today’s racing tips?
Matthew Sutcliffe provides his best bets for the racing at Newbury & Ayr on Saturday 18 April.
When were Matthew Sutcliffe’s tips published?
Matty Sutcliffe’s racing tips were published at 5.18pm on Thursday 16 April
Who is Matthew Sutcliffe?
Matthew Sutcliffe is GGs newest contributor, often providing a value angle for his tips. He writes weekly columns for the weekend’s racing, as well as taking aim at ante-post markets at the Cheltenham Festival. Follow him on X: @MattySutcliffe
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