Saturday’s Horse Racing Tips from Newmarket and Haydock

1:15 Newmarket 

The first of five live races from HQ comes up at 1:15pm. It is the Jersey Lily Fillies Nursery handicap over the 7f trip.

The horse I like is MAGIC LOVE (6/1) from the Harry Charlton stable. After three mediocre efforts, she improved as expected on her nursery debut when winning well at Thirsk. She was well-backed there which suggests connections knew she was entitled to improve. She’s bred to be useful and this step up to 7f looks a good move. I think she can continue on an upward curve and a mark of 71 underestimates her.

 

1:30 Haydock

We head to Haydock next for the 1:30. It is a mile handicap with 10 runners set to line up.

The one I like is WHISKEY PETE (7/2) here from the Ralph Beckett yard. The 3-year-old ran his best race of the season last time out when finishing a good second at Ascot three weeks ago. A mark of 87 is well within his reach and I think connections know that. He was well punted last time out, and I can see something similar developing here. This doesn’t look the deepest of handicaps and I expect a bold bid. 

 

1:50 Newmarket

It’s back to Newmarket next for the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes over the mile.

I do like WIMBLEDON HAWKEYE (7/2) in this. He was a shock winner on debut at Kempton where he went off a staggering 28/1 and won by a neck. He proved that was no fluke next time out when running a fine third in the Superlative Stakes at Newbury. The last time we saw him was in the Acomb Stakes at York where again he ran a cracker finishing second behind The Lion Is Winter. The form of that race is working out well and I’m surprised Wimbledon Hawkeye isn’t favourite here.

 

2:25 Newmarket 

The 2:25 from Newmarket is the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes over 6f for the 2-year-old fillies.

I’d expect BABOUCHE (2/1) to take a fair bit of beating here. Unbeaten in her three 2-year-old starts this season, she looks a filly of serious quality. She’s very professional as she has shown when landing the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes last time out at the Curragh, a performance that was backed up by the clock. I think she can add another victory to her season here and remain unbeaten.

 

3:00 Newmarket

The 3:00 from Newmarket is next and it is more Group 1 action. This time it is the turn of the 2-year-old colts in the Middle Park Stakes again over 6f.

At the prices, I like DEFENCE MINISTER (16/1) EW in this. A winner on debut here at Newmarket, he then went to Haydock and defied a penalty to win again there. He displayed a decent turn of foot that day and despite it being a five-runner novice race, there were horses in behind with plenty of potential. Defence Minister looks a proper 2 year-old and he looks overpriced in this to my eye.

 

3:15 Haydock

The 3:15 from Haydock is a trappy 5f handicap.

The one for me is ABERAMA GOLD (9/2). He’s got races in him off his current mark of 85 given he won the Stewards Cup off 95 last year. He’s had a bit of a mixed bag this season but connections reach for the blinkers and that will hopefully perk him back up. The conditions won’t be a problem and if he’s on a going day, he’s the best handicapped horse in the race which would make him tough to beat.

 

3:40 Newmarket

The final race on ITV is the always competitive renewal of the Cambridgeshire. 35 runners spread across the Newmarket track over 1m1f.

The one for me is BOPEDRO (14/1) EW. Third in this contest last year, he returns this season off a 9lb lower mark and looks sure to go well. A previous winner here at Newmarket he excels at the track. He was back on track last time out finishing a staying on second at Doncaster and that looked an ideal preparation for a bold bid back in this race. Connections are very good at lining one up for a big pot and I’m sure this has been the plan for a little while based on his effort in this race last season. I think he has a very lively chance in this competitive affair.

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