Friday Newmarket and York Tips by Dave Stevos
Friday Newmarket and York Preview and Tips
Snow Falcon of course finished 7th, just out of the money as we were on for six places. He was hampered early by a loose horse which cost him 5/6L and Flanagan’s decision to come wide cost him even more ground. He may not have won with a better trip, but he definitely would have placed. The Cambridgeshire Meeting at Newmarket is live on ITV tomorrow, as well as a couple of handicaps from York. Dave Stevos has had his head in the formbook, check out his Friday Newmarket and York preview and tips below.
1.50 Newmarket – Rosemary Stakes (Listed)
The first live race of the day on ITV4 is this Listed heat for the fillies and mares. The three Godolphin horses all hold claims, as do the two Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum entries. On ratings it looks between those five and Ummalnar and that is reflected in their odds. It looks like there has been a few quid about for Ready To Venture who is a 12s/14s shot generally. He was beat 2L behind Don’t Tell Claire last time at Ascot and he is a few pounds better off with her today. However, having watched that race back a few times, I think Serenading could be worth a little interest e/w with William Hill paying out on 5 places.
James Fanshawe’s 5yo filly is a tricky customer but on her day, she is a talented sort. She comes into this rated just 79, which would give her no chance. However, she never came out of 3rd gear behind some of these at Ascot last time and if she had enjoyed a clearer run she may well have beaten the likes of Don’t Tell Claire and the aforementioned Ready To Venture.
She was travelling best 2f out but Spencer simply couldn’t find daylight. The door closed repeatedly on him and when you consider that his mare never came off the bridle, the fact she was only 4L behind the winner is encouraging. Earlier this season at Newbury (8f gd/fm) she finished ahead of Seattle Rock (getting 5lbs) and that 93 rated filly had finished 2nd in a Listed heat on her previous outing. The likely strong pace should suit Serenading and if it collapses, she could stay on late for place money at odds of 33/1.
Friday Newmarket and York Tips: Serenading e/w @ 33/1 (5 Places W Hill)
2.05 York – William Hill Handicap (Class 2)
We backed Lahore in the Ayr Gold Cup and while he added another 0 to his form, it was a better run than it looked. He finished in 10th, 7L behind the easy winner but only 3L behind the 4th. The handicapper has now dropped him to 93 and he could be a big threat off that rating. This son of Elusive Quality has some decent form at York. His last win came here over 5f (gd) off a mark of 101 in July 2020. He was also beat just 2L over today’s C&D on soft behind Gulliver in a hot handicap in October 2019 off 97.
This season he has not fired but there was definite positives to take from his Ayr run. Good ground is fine and he won’t mind a drop of rain if it arrives. Rowan Scott keeps the ride and he knows this fella inside out. He has been on board for his last two wins so Lahore won’t lack for assistance from the saddle. I think this horse has become too well handicapped to ignore and at odds of 22/1, he is worth chancing each way for small stakes.
Friday Newmarket and York Tips: Lahore e/w @ 22/1 (4 Places W Hill)
2.25 Newmarket – Princess Royal Stakes (Group 3)
Another one for the fillies and mares, this time over 12f. This Group 3 has attracted 11 runners and at odds of 16/1 I think Glenartney is worth an e/w punt. Trained by Ed Walker, this 100 rated 3yo produced a career best at York last time (12f gd). She was just 2L behind Forbearance and connections had her entered in the Park Hill at Doncaster before withdrawing her on account of the ground.
It was rattling quick that day at Doncaster but it was good at Newmarket on Thursday morning and while it is now good to firm in places, I think this mare should be fine. There could be a few showers around too so hopefully Ed Walker thinks it is safe enough for her. The daughter of Le Havre won her maiden on this course over 7f on heavy but her two excellent Listed runs this season came on good.
On the figures and on form, Albaflora is clearly the one to beat here. She drops in Grade and a repeat of her 2nd to Snowfall would probably suffice today. Apart from her, the rest of these look much of a muchness. Glenartney has just 2L to find with Forbearance and Domino Darling who are 7/1 and 10/1 today. Ed Walker’s filly is 16/1 and at the odds, she is worth taking a chance on e/w.
Friday Newmarket and York Tips: Glenartney e/w @ 16/1 (4 Places)
2.40 York – William Hill Handicap (Class 3)
The one that looks a shade overpriced in this trappy handicap is Astrogem. Owned by Mystic Meg, this filly has run very well on her last two starts. Usually a prominent racer, she missed the break last time but it didn’t bother her too much. She seemed to enjoy coming through from the back and she ended up in 3rd, beat just 1.5L for the win.
That run now gives connections more options tactically. They know she is capable of going well from the front if she breaks well, but they now also know that there is no need to panic if she is slow from the gates. The booking of Hayley Turner is a positive given her record for Harry Eustace.
She is 2/9 with 3 places when riding for him and his only previous runner at York finished 2nd. Eustace has his string in good form (6 of last 9 runners in first 4) and hopefully Astrogem can go well for him here. At odds of 18/1, she looks a solid e/w bet with 4 places available.
Friday Newmarket and York Tips: Astrogem e/w @ 18/1 NB (4 places)
3.00 Newmarket – Rockfel Stakes (Group 2)
The one I like at double figure odds in this Fillies’ G2 is Romantic Time. William Stone has had a fine season and his horses continue in tremendous form. This 2yo daughter of Time Test has improved with every run this season. She has left her debut effort well behind and she broke her duck in pattern company when landing a Salisbury Group 3 on her last start. She had previously been campaigned at 5f and her form at that trip was solid.
Her first win came on her third start when she beat Eve Lodge at Kempton (5f st). That horse has since advertised that form and Romantic Time proved it was no fluke when stepped up 6f for the first time at Salisbury. She wasn’t stopping at the finish that day and if anything, it looked like she might even be better over further.
Her pedigree suggests that too. Her dam is related to 8f-14f winner Top Tug and her sire won over 10f. I think if this filly came from one of the bigger yards she would be half her current price. She’ll need to improve again but given her profile, that is likely to happen. At odds of 14/1, she is the each way selection.
Friday Newmarket and York Tips: Romantic Time e/w @ 14/1 NAP
3.35 Newmarket – Joel Stakes (Group 2)
The final live ITV4 race of the day is the 8f Joel Stakes. A field of 8 are due to go to post and the classy 3yo Master Of The Seas is the market leader. The Godolphin colt went extremely close in the 2000 Guineas behind Poetic Flare (8f gd/fm). That is seriously strong form but unfortunately he had a setback soon after and this is his first run since. Charlie Appleby’s horses continue in excellent form but you would have to be slightly concerned about this fella’s absence. If he is primed and ready to go, he’ll be hard to beat but at the current odds, he could be worth taking on.
Benbatl won this race in 2019 and he is a top class operator. His comeback run 4 weeks ago was a cracker and he should be spot on fitness wise now. He is fully deserving of his rating of 117 and he’ll relish the trip, track and ground. He is short enough though at 11/4 and at the prices, I think Pogo could be worth taking a chance on.
Charlie Hills’ son of Zebedee was only 2L behind Benbatl last time out. He is an out and out front runner and he likes this C&D. Pogo has an excellent record at Newmarket. His three runs on the Rowley course have yielded form figures of 122, with the last 2nd coming in a G2 over 7f. Good to firm ground is perfect, a mile suits him well and he shouldn’t face too much competition for the lead. He has never won a Group race but if it is going to happen, it is most likely to be over today’s C&D and at odds of 18/1, he is worth chancing e/w.
