Newmarket Friday Tips and Preview by Dave Stevos
Newmarket Friday Tips and Preview
We were a bit unfortunate not to land a big e/w place Deauville double last week. Kenway ran a blinder, the race just didn’t pan out to suit him. There was a lack of early pace and while he came with his customary late run, the others didn’t stop in front of him. Victor Ludorum was ultra impressive and a worthy winner. Mageva did manage to nick a place for us, despite drifting to 40/1. She was arguably unlucky due to her slow start and she has a nice pot in her. Racing returns to ITV4 on Friday and the Coronation Cup is the feature. Check out Dave Stevos’ Newmarket Friday tips below…
Newmarket Preview: 1.50pm – Betway Handicap (Class 2)
Racing is finally back behind closed doors. It is not racing as we know it though and the fields for these big handicaps are much reduced. Only 11 go to post in this one and it would take a brave person to write off any of them. A few of the trainers represented here have returned in solid form and Amanda Perrett is most definitely one of those. She hasn’t had a winner yet but 2 of her 4 runners so far have gone very close.
She is doubly represented here with Tinto and Open Wide and of the two, preference is for the latter. Ryan Moore has been booked for the ride and this horse goes well fresh. He has two seconds to his name on his last two seasonal reappearances, including over 5f here last term. The son of Invincible Spirit was staying on well that day and today’s 6f trip suits better. He admittedly remains above his last winning mark but he has the ability to hit the frame. At 9/1 Open Wide is the each way selection.
NEWMARKET FRIDAY TIPS: OPEN WIDE E/W @ 9/1 NAP
Newmarket Tips: 2.25pm – Abernant Stakes (Group 3)
The first live Group race of the day on ITV4 is the Abernant Stakes and it is a disappointing turnout. Only 7 go to post and good old Brando is a very warm order to return to action with a win. He was as good as ever last year and pushed Donjuan Triumphant all the way in the Champions Sprint Stakes. The big worry for his supporters is the ground, currently described as good to firm. Showers are forecast but if predictions are correct there won’t be enough rain to change the going. Watch it come up heavy now!
Green Power is a horse I have lots of time for but he looks to be out of his depth in this company. Oxted and Emaraaty head the new generation’s challenge and both 4yos have scope for improvement. Keystroke won this last year at 66s but the bookies haven’t missed him this time. The interesting one at 8/1 is Mr Lupton. He won first time up last year at the Curragh (6f gd/fm) in a Group 2 and he is a C&D winner. His career figures first time back after a break read 3221 and he is likely to be primed for this. Richard Fahey has had a few recent winners too. With conditions to suit, Mr Lupton can go well at odds of 8/1.
NEWMARKET FRIDAY RACING TIPS: MR LUPTON E/W @ 8/1
Newmarket Preview: 3.00pm – Paradise Stakes (Listed)
With 12 due to go to post this Listed race has attracted the biggest field of the day. It is a superb renewal and Sangarius heads the market for Moore and Stoute. This horse has bags of ability and on his best form he should be winning this easily. The worry is that he was beat first time up last season at this distance so the 7/4 currently available doesn’t appeal.
Mythical Magic beat Century Dream by 3L in Meydan in February 2019. Back on home turf the Crisford horse could reverse that form, even with Frankie back in the saddle for Godolphin. Simon Crisford said he wants rain for his charge but he has plenty of excellent form on good to firm. If he runs he has every chance of running into a place at least.
The one that interests me at a double figure price is Dawaam. He is extremely lightly raced for a 4yo so he must be tough to keep right. However, he is 2/2 in those runs and he was extremely impressive at Wolves back in October. His dam was a Grade 1 fast ground winner so the switch to turf should hold no fears. The son of Kitten’s Joy has been handled with kid gloves by Owen Burrows and he could reap the rewards today. At odds of 16/1 Dawaam is worth chancing each way in an extremely competitive looking contest.
NEWMARKET FRIDAY TIPS: DAWAAM E/W @ 16/1 NB
Newmarket Friday Tips: 3.35pm – Coronation Cup (Group 1)
The Coronation Cup is the big race of the day at Newmarket and 7 will go to post. This 12f contest has attracted a stellar field and what it lacks in numbers it makes up for in quality. The enigmatic Ghaiyyath is 11/8 to land his first Group 1 on British soil but the jury is still out on him. Yes, he is very talented on his day but consistency is not a strong suit. Taking short odds about horses with his profile rarely ends well and he is worth taking on.
Stradivarius is the polar opposite and you could set your watch by him. He hasn’t finished out of the frame in his last 18 starts and 14 of those were wins. The big negative is that this will be his first run at 12f since May 2017. He is best at 2 miles or further but it wouldn’t be a big surprise if his class got him through. Defoe is another classy type and he won this when held at Epsom last season. He needed a couple of runs to put him right last season though.
Van Dyck Heads Ballydoyle Challenge
Last year’s Epsom derby hero Anthony Van Dyck is the pick of Ryan Moore. O’Brien also runs Broome who was 4th in that race and the winner can uphold the form. He will have the assistance of James Doyle in the saddle and in my opinion 12f is just a bit too far for him. Anthony Van Dyck is proven at the trip and he will appreciate quick ground too. The son of Galileo did flop in the Hong Kong Vase last time but that came at the end of a long and hard season.
Desert Encounter is a horse I know well. I tipped him at 25s when 3rd of 6 here on the July course last year and he went on to win 4 in a row. However, his absolute best form still leaves him with something to find. He holds Alnouak on their meeting in a Canadian Group 1 back in October. With just 7 going to post I am recommending a small win bet here and Anthony Van Dyck is the selection.
