Saturday’s terrestrial racing focuses on Newbury, but there are eight meetings in all across Britain and Ireland on the day. GG tipster Joe Napier has four top tips across the cards, with three at big prices to consider.
1.50 Newbury – BetVictor Steventon Stakes (Listed)
The weather forecast promises rain at Newbury, bringing BOLSTER into contention in this opening Listed contest. Since joining Karl Burke, all four of his wins have come with soft in the going description, including at this level at Newmarket last November.
He won four out of seven last term, three times in handicaps, including off 105 over roughly this distance at York. That preceded his Listed victory, both of those coming on soft ground and there are excuses for his two fourth-placed finishes this term, the first coming on good at Chester in a race working out well, and the latter after a step up in trip to 1m4f at Goodwood.
He almost certainly didn’t stay latest, so the drop back to 1m2f looks a solid move. Second off top-weight on his only course and distance start last term, he may be able to offer more back under these favourable conditions.
2.25 Newbury – Back The Super Boost At BetVictor Handicap
One who may still have more to offer over 2m and further is TIDES OF WAR, whose mark remains a winnable one. The favourites are far from compelling here too, so he appeals plenty at his current odds.
The seven-year-old won on very soft ground when trained in France, so despite not running on a slower surface for David Simcock, the prospective ground is not a worry. Though not always consistent, he has won twice in the last two season, including at Lingfield earlier this season despite having a poor all-weather record.
That showed how well-treated he had become in the handicap, further evidenced by his last turf success at Goodwood in May 2024, which came off 2lb higher than his current mark. His second over 2m at that venue two months back came behind a rival now rated a stone higher and he is unlikely to bump into any handicap blots here.
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2.57 Newbury – Hallgarten And Novum Wines Hackwood Stakes (Group 3)
Regional is the class act and could easily come good dropped in class, but it’s notable that he did not take advantage of that in this race 12 months ago, putting in easily his worst performance in the past two seasons. Elite Status took this as a result, but has lost his form since, as has Group 1 winner Kind Of Blue so far this term.
This could set up for an upset and a fascinating runner after nearly a year off is KING’S GAMBLE for Ralph Beckett. He has been trained as a miler as per his breeding so far, and run well, finishing fifth in the Britannia Stakes last term, then second in Group 3 company at Glorious Goodwood behind recent Lockinge winner Lead Artist.
It has been a long time off the track for the son of Kingman, but he won on his debut and ran well on return last June. He was third in the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes over this trip as a juvenile and a return to it is intriguing.
4.55 Newmarket (July) – Ric And Mary Hambro Aphrodite Fillies’ Stakes (Listed)
It was a serious effort by UNDERSTUDY to finish second how she did at Royal Ascot, and she may now take the leading role back in Listed company on the July Course.
After the ITV races have finished, this Listed contest looks there for the taking for the daughter of Sea The Stars. She was beaten on debut, but swiftly left that behind when a four-length winner at Southwell. Despite her inexperience and an inopportune track position, she then finished second in the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes under Rab Havlin.
Oisin Murphy now takes the ride and with the Gosdens still in good form, she looks a more than worthy favourite, especially as there could be improvement to come. Any going should be fine for her as well.
