There is lots of quality racing across Britain and Ireland this Saturday and plenty of it comes at Newbury.
They’ve got a brace of Group races via the Geoffrey Freer Stakes and the Hungerford Stakes on a seven-race card that runs from 1.15pm-4.35pm.
You can watch all the UK and Irish action, including Newbury, via live streaming when logged into MansionBet and our tipster has a race-by-race guide to Saturday’s quality Newbury offering.
1.15 – Academy Insurance British EBF Maiden Stakes (1m4f)
With a rating of 114 and a runner-up finish in no less than the Epsom Derby on penultimate start, MOJO STAR should prove far too strong for this trio and the odds will reflect that.
He was badly hampered in the Irish Derby (fifth) following his Epsom effort where he defied an SP of 50/1 to run a blinder. The maiden tag surely must go now.
Selection: Mojo Star @ 1/20
1.45 – Denford Stakes (Listed, 7f)
Bayside Boy cost 200,000 gns as a yearling and the son of New Bay made a winning start to his career in good style over C&D last month despite running green at times. He holds Group-race tickets this autumn and is likely going places.
Seattle King is also 1-1 after notching at Salisbury in June in a race that has been boosted since. Experience can pay off for MASEKELA, however.
A Goodwood winner on debut in May, he ran well (fifth) in a strong Royal Ascot Listed event afterwards and then went down all guns blazing in the Group 2 Superlative Stakes at Newmarket last month, ensuring he sets a strong standard now.
Selection: Masekela @ 5/4
2.20 – BetVictor Geoffrey Freer Stakes (Group 3, 1m5½f)
Not since Mubtaker won the second of three successive renewals in 2003 has any horse claimed a repeat Geoffrey Freer Stakes success but HUKUM looks primed to do just that for Owen Burrows and Jim Crowley now.
The son of Sea The Stars could be called the winner a long way from home in last month’s Silver Cup at York as he returned to this journey and he’s got everything in his favour coming back to Newbury, even allowing for his penalty.
Selection: Hukum @ 10/11
2.55 – BetVictor Handicap (7f)
Aratus was second on debut over C&D last season and is 2-2 since. Last year’s form is smart and he dished out a hammering on comeback at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) a little over three weeks ago in a novice event having undergone wind surgery in his downtime. An opening mark of 94 is certainly attainable.
Sunset Bay’s hat-trick bid relies on further improvement having gone up 9lb, so a chance is afforded to STARSHIBA. His Goodwood second in June was a fair effort and he’s faced a pair of tough handicaps at Salisbury and Ascot since.
He didn’t shape badly in the International Stakes last time, only weakening in the final furlong, and is 2lb lower now for what is a less demanding ask. He’s an each-way player with the dead-eight in play.
Selection: Starshiba @ 10/1
3.30 – BetVictor Hungerford Stakes (Group 2, 7f)
The feature event and a wave of blue is possible with Godolphin and Shadwell runners making up five of the 11-strong field.
Al Suhail was a fine third in the Summer Mile at Ascot last month on his first British start of the year and Charlie Appleby’s charge is at home over this trip.
Danyah was nothing if not game in landing the International Stakes at Ascot over this distance and commands a look in this company for the first time but SACRED is the choice for Cheveley Park Stud and William Haggas.
She was a speedy sort last season and won the Nell Gwyn at Newmarket on comeback in April before failing to get the mile afterwards in the 1000 Guineas. Soft ground has prevented her taking on some assignments since but as long as the ground remains good, Tom Marquand’s filly has a chance here.
Selection: Sacred @ 7/1
4.00 – Mettal UK Handicap (1m2f)
Wide open fare here, with Camelot Tales, Artic Vega and Tawaareq amongst the likely contenders. BILL PEYTO made a pleasing comeback at Chester in June, finishing the race in a manner that suggested longer trips would be to his liking in handicaps.
Things didn’t go to plan at Glorious Goodwood a fortnight ago but he was looked after in the circumstances and it’s possible he will put that effort in the rear view mirror now.
Selection: Bill Peyto @ 7/1
4.35 – Rangers Riding Ranch Handicap (Female Amateur Jockeys, 1m4f)
Due respect must be given to Valentino Dancer who has been seen to good effect over hurdles lately for Fergal O’Brien and returns to this code with a chance therefore, but TRALEE HILLS is preferred.
He won three on the bounce (including over 1m3f here) in June/July and saw his winning sequence snapped when second to a progressive and very easy scorer at Salisbury three weeks ago off this mark.
He was clear second-best and the third has won since. Rider Sarah Bowen hit the crossbar in one of these at Brighton last week and can gain compensation now.
Selection: Tralee Hills @ 3/1
