Newbury and Market Rasen selections Saturday 19th July
A rare wet day this summer, although it does not look as if the rain is as bad as forecast. Nevertheless, Market Rasen in particular could get softer for their big midsummer fixture. I have selections for the big two races on the card, plus two at the premier flat fixture in Britain at Newbury. We had a very consistent Saturday last week with a win for More Thunder (advised 5/4) plus each-way places for Ten Pounds (advised 17/2), See That Storm (advised 13/2), Believing (SP 9/1), Redorange (5/1), Glamorous Breeze (advised 25/1).
Newbury 2.25: Artistic Star
Seventh in the 2023 Epsom Derby, it is interesting that ARTISTIC STAR has been kept in training despite not coming up to that level of form since. Now dropped in the ratings and down in class, this could be the time for the horse to reward connections perseverance.
There was plenty of promise about his fourth place at Newmarket’s Guineas meeting over 14f, showing enough to show ability remains and that he was worth a try over longer distances. 2M4f looked a step too far at Ascot, but this 2m could prove ideal and it would be no surprise if Rossa Ryan takes a prominent role in this small field.
The rain that has fallen this morning won’t be a problem as this horse won his first two starts with cut in the ground. This race should not take as much winning as you would normally expect for this grade with doubts about form, ground conditions or temperament about pretty much all the field.
Market Rasen 2.40: Kihavah & Cavern Club
There is plenty of new up and coming talent in this race, but they might have to give best to top weight KIHAVAH, who at the age of eight looks as good as ever.
An unlucky in running second in this race twelve months ago, he went on to finish third in the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth at Newcastle in the winter. You can forget his run in the Scottish Champion as he made a horrendous mistake at halfway. He has turned his attention back to the flat since and won a competitive handicap at Musselburgh on ground likely to be similar to what he will find today.
He was better than fifth position sounds at Newmarket last time as he was continually denied a run along the far rail. Already a winner at this track, he is the class angle in this race, won’t be affected by any change in ground conditions and is as consistent as they come for each-way purposes.
James Owen comes here mob handed with four runners. On jockey bookings, Nibras Gold would appear first choice, but his chance will be compromised by rain. That won’t be the case with CAVERN CLUB who won on the flat at Chester on his last start.
He can be a rather in and out performer, but ran some cracking races last season over hurdles including a win at Doncaster on his final hurdles outing and a second place at Cheltenham’s November meeting. Generally a hold up horse, his chances are likely to be increased with any rain as the front-runners might become easier to pick up late on.
Newbury 2.57: Regional
Already a Group 1 winner over 6f, REGIONAL will appreciate a return to this distance, at least on a speed favouring track like Newbury.
He ran an admirable race at Royal Ascot over 5f when a close third to American Affair, but despite the fact he is one of the fastest horses out of the stalls in the country, he probably does not possess the raw speed any more for 5f. He proved when winning the Sprint Cup at Haydock in 2023 that he has the stamina to last 6f.
This track tends to favour front-runners too, so that usual fast break will stand him in good stead here. He was only fourth in this race last season, but he did not race again in 2024, so there may have been a valid excuse and he has shown plenty enough in his two starts this season that the ability very much remains.
Market Rasen 3.12: Horantzau D’Airy & Sure Touch
The Summer Plate looks a particularly fascinating contest this renewal, and my two fancies both have changes to their set up that make them particularly attractive today.
HORANTZAU D’AIRY had plenty of good form with Willie Mullins, notably back to back second places in the Kerry and Munster Nationals last autumn. Whilst those runs were over 3m, his wins have all come over shorter.
Sold to a new owner in time for the Grand National, he ran a huge race at Aintree before fading over the extended 4m. He showed his pace for this trip though at Uttoxeter when second to Matterhorn and can even race off a mark a pound lower today. Another potential factor in his favour is that he has now transferred to a specialist jumps trainer in Sara Bradstock who has plenty of similar staying chase victories to her name.
However if SURE TOUCH is in the form that saw him take this race last year from a 1lb higher mark that today, then the others could all be battling for second place. The one factor that makes me think he can return to that level is the fact first time headgear is applied today, something he has long looked a candidate for.
The win here last season was a fourth in a row for the gelding, but he failed to progress from higher marks in better company in the winter. He started to get detached early on in his races before staying on all too late, so the application of cheekpieces will hopefully sharpen his jumping and allow him to travel more sweetly. He can also call upon the services of champion Sean Bowen who gets off his brother’s two challengers to take the mount.
Recommended bets:
1pt each-way – Artistic Star – 2.25 Newbury – 9/2 Paddy Power
1pt each-way – Kihavah – 2.40 Market Rasen – 7/1 Bet365, William Hill (1/5 odds 1st 4)
1pt each-way – Cavern Club – 2.40 Market Rasen – 7/1 Ladbrokes, Coral (1/5 odds 1st 4)
1pt win – Regional – 2.57 Newbury – 100/30 Ladbrokes, Coral
1pt each-way – Horantzau D’Airy – 3.12 Market Rasen – 17/2 William Hill (1/5 odds 1st 4)
1pt each-way – Sure Touch – 3.12 Market Rasen – 6/1 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 4)
