2026 Newbury & Market Rasen Saturday Tips – DS
2026 Newbury & Market Rasen Saturday Preview
We came up dry on the final day of the July meeting. The Pricewise curse struck with Mesaafi, Havana Pusey’s price almost halved then she fell out of the stalls, New Image and Sunset On Leros had no excuses, Respond raced too keenly and Quinault ensured we finished with a whimper. It feels like I’m banging my head against a wall the last few weeks but we’ll try again. 2026 Newbury & Market Rasen Saturday tips are below.
2.10 Market Rasen – Summer Handicap Hurdle (Class 2)
The one that stands out at a price in this pretty valuable handicap hurdle is Continuance. Trained by Martin Keighley, this 5yo son of Postponed has won three of his 13 starts over hurdles. His last win came at Fontwell off 113 in March of last year and while he has come up short since, I think his form in the winter gives him every chance of being competitive here.
Back in December he was a close second off 120 in a decent handicap hurdle at Cheltenham. Then, at Sandown in January, he was beaten just 2.75l in another decent handicap off 123 and that day, he was just behind Dance And Glance, who went on to win a class 2 handicap at Haydock on his next start before going on to finish a fine third in the Swinton.
Behind Continuance in fourth was Hot Fuss, a winner at the Windsor million meeting on his next start and runner up in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham in March. I think Keighley probably put a ring around this race in the calendar after that Sandown run and Continuance should be in peak condition now after three runs since his return from a four-month break. At odds of 16/1, he looks a cracking e/w bet.
2026 Newbury & Market Rasen Saturday Tip: Continuance e/w @ 16/1 (4 places) NAP
2.45 Market Rasen – Summer Plate Handicap Chase (Class 2)
Peter Bowen was always a trainer to follow in this race and Mickey seems to be following in his footsteps. He sent Courtland out to be second last year and he is triple handed for this year’s renewal. Queensbury Boy has been backed into 6/1 and must have a big chance but I’ll take a punt on his stablemate King Roly at a double figure price.
By Scorpion, Shane Fenelon (who rode Courtland last year) takes the ride and claims a valuable 5lb. This 7yo has won three of his nine chase starts and two of those have come when going right-handed at Perth. The most recent came last September off 120 and with Fenelon’s claim, he is effectively 5lb lower now.
King Roly ran poorly on his first two runs back after a winter break but he took a big step in the right direction over C&D last time when a 9l second behind Fringhill Duke. That was a lovely prep for this race, he’s on a dangerous mark, he’s best on good ground and we know now that he handles the track. So, at odds of 11/1, King Roly is the e/w selection.
2026 Newbury & Market Rasen Saturday Tip: King Roly e/w @ 11/1 (4 places)
3.02 Newbury – Hackwood Stakes (Group 3)
With three places on offer here I was half-tempted to put Jasour up again but I just can’t bring myself to do it. He disgraced himself yet again at Royal Ascot when I really fancied him to run big, pulling himself to the front after a furlong before folding tamely.
He has all the ability in the world but he’s simply a headbanger and until he learns to settle (which is becoming less and less likely with every run) he won’t be getting his head back in front. PJ McDonald is the latest rider to get a shot at the title and it’ll be interesting to see if he can get Jasour to race more evenly. If he does, he could win this doing handstands but I’m not convinced he will. No bet.
2026 Newbury & Market Rasen Saturday Tip: No Bet
3.37 Newbury – Super Sprint Stakes (Class 2)
This is just what I need when I’m in desperate need of a winner. A sales race. My go to trainer in this particular race is Rod Millman but not even I can make a valid case for his sole runner this year. Watch Courage Best hose up now at 125-1…
In the end, I decided to side with the Eve Johnson Houghton trained son of Calyx, Minster Boy. He’s a maiden after two runs but he has ability. On debut he ran a fine race at Windsor (5f, gd-fm) finishing a 3.75l fourth of 13 after missing the break and running green before finishing off very nicely.
On his next start, over 6f here nine days ago, Minster Boy ran a cracker in a class 2 novice, finding just one too good after not getting the clearest of runs. He now drops back to 5f, which should be fine once he gets a strong pace to aim at, and he has a nice enough racing weight of 8st 10lbs. I think his OR of 73 might underestimate him and with odds of 20/1 on offer, Minster Boy has to be worth backing e/w.
