There’s quality flat racing at Newbury and Ripon Saturday 18th July, whilst Market Rasen host the showpiece event of the Summer jumping campaign with the Summer Plate.
Our top tipster Matthew Sutcliffe is here with his best bets across the three meetings here.
Newbury Racing Tips (Saturday 18 July 2026)
Seven races get under way at Newbury at 1.55pm, with the Weatherbys Super Sprint the highlight later on in the card. Matthew has two tips for the day.
1:55 Newbury – BetVictor Steventon Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (3yo+) – Silawi 11/2 1pt WIN
Given Persica is currently 0-2 at Newbury and seemingly performs better on softer going, he’s worth taking on. One who’ll revel in this quick ground is Silawi, who looks way overpriced if translating his Meydan form here.
The Dubawi gelding was last seen finishing down the field in the Neom Turf Cup behind the impressive Royal Champion, but prior to that he was an excellent second in the Jebel Hatta at Meydan. He split Opera Ballo and Holloway Boy there, the former subsequently beat Field Of Gold in the bet365 Mile before finishing third in the Queen Anne and the latter was second to Zeus Olympios in the G2 Summer Mile last time out.
He upheld the form with Nations Pride there who he beat in the Grade 1 Canadian International Stakes, and while those efforts were overseas, he brings credible form in the grade having recorded a career best RPR of 11 when making all to win at Windsor, fending off the 112 rated 1/2 favourite Military Order, who franked that form when third to Royal Champion next time out. He has a layoff to contend with, but he bolted up from a 144 day layoff on stable debut last May and he can be well suited to a front running ride from stall two on favourable going.
15:02 Newbury – Hallgarten And Novum Wines Hackwood Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (3yo+) – Song Of The Clyde 11/2 1pt WIN
Course and distance winner Song Of The Clyde drops in grade from the Commonwealth Cup when certainly not disgraced in seventh, beaten four lengths and having momentum halted after being hampered a furlong out.
That Carnarvon form hasn’t particularly worked out, but it was a commanding performance which proved he’s trained on from his excellent two year old season, and he can be better suited to this track than the stiff nature of Ascot.
Market Rasen Racing Tips (Saturday 18 July 2026)
The Summer Plate is the highlight at Market Rasen, but the Summer Handicap Hurdle is another cracking betting and Matthew’s best bet lines up there.
14:10 Market Rasen – Betway Summer Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (3yo+) – High Fibre 12/1 1pt EW 4 place
Given he’s won two of the last three renewals, High Fibre has to be considered for James Owen who showed he was in good health after a spin on the flat, finishing third at York last weekend.
The Vadamos gelding showed improved form over hurdles for Harry Fry in March when a two length winner at Kempton, tanking through the race, barely coming off the bridle with the second bolting up five lengths next time out now rated 7lbs higher.
He then bumped into the well fancied Jack Hyde at Ludlow, and perhaps should’ve won given the confidence of his inexperienced jockey. The pair pulled fifteen lengths of a subsequent winner in third there, and eighteen lengths clear of three time subsequent winner now rated 13lbs higher. He went off the boil in two starts later, but he was ridden in rear there and now in the hands of James Owen, I’d expect a bolder showing in a first time visor returning to prominent tactics
Ripon Racing Tips (Saturday 18 July 2026)
Competitive racing takes place at Ripon as well on Saturday, with Matthew having a solitary selection at the Yorkshire track.
15:15 Ripon – Ripon Bell-Ringer Handicap (GBBPlus Race) (Class 3) (3yo+ 0-95) – Per Contra 10/1 1pt EW 3 places
This looks to have been the plan for Per Contra, who’s yet to race at this distance this season, a trip he was second over in this contest last season off a 2lbs lower mark. He was beaten three lengths by 4/7F The Reverend there, who followed up off a 4lbs higher mark in the Old Borough Handicap at Haydock.
He pulled five lengths clear of the third there, and both of those rivals would be significantly shorter in the betting than those in here. While he wasn’t at the races in the John Smith’s Cup last time out, you only have to go back three races to see him in good form when fourth to the progressive Antipodes, with the subsequent John Smith’s Cup third in second and a next time out winner in third.
His form before that to Opportunity reads strongly too and while he is an infrequent winner, he
wont get many better opportunities to return to the winners enclosure than this
Matthew Sutcliffe’s Tips for Saturday 18 July
1:55 Newbury – BetVictor Steventon Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (3yo+) – Silawi 11/2 1pt WIN
15:02 Newbury – Hallgarten And Novum Wines Hackwood Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (3yo+) – Song Of The Clyde 11/2 1pt WIN
14:10 Market Rasen – Betway Summer Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (3yo+) – High Fibre 12/1 1pt EW 4 place
15:15 Ripon – Ripon Bell-Ringer Handicap (GBBPlus Race) (Class 3) (3yo+ 0-95) – Per Contra 10/1 1pt EW 3 places
FAQs
What are today’s racing tips?
Matthew Sutcliffe provides his best bets at Newbury, Market Rasen & Ripon meeting on Saturday 18 July.
When were Matthew Sutcliffe’s tips published?
Matty Sutcliffe’s racing tips were published at 4.35pm on Friday 17 July.
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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