Newbury & Ripon selections Saturday 16th August
There is still plenty to look forward to with Saturday’s racing programme ahead of the big York fixture next week. I have selections from three races at Newbury with Ripon’s big race of the season also under the microscope. We made a strong finish to Goodwood in our previous column with wins for Sam Hawkens (advised 11/2) and Mudbir (advised 9/2), whilst Aeronautic (advised 13/2) and Boyfriend (SP 13/2) were placed for the each-way bets.
Newbury 2.25: Star Chorus
Not the highest quality of contests for prime time Saturday afternoon, but nonetheless an interesting puzzle which could go to the enigmatic STAR CHORUS.
He is not the easiest of rides, often going to post early and he can miss the break, but despite this being a course that favours prominent racers, there is a load of early pace here which should set things up nicely for the selection.
He got his head in front on turf for the first time in a small race at Chepstow last time, but actually enhanced his reputation at Goodwood last time despite finishing last. He met continued trouble in running that day, prompting the jockey to give up late on. With plenty of pace here, and a lowish draw, Oisin Murphy has every chance of a clear run this time and a rating of 76 looks fair.
Newbury 3.00: Classic
The switch to more positive tactics in recent runs have transformed CLASSIC and he could be set for more success here.
He made all to win in a small field over a mile at Sandown last month, having run pretty well all season, but coming from the big of the field in the spring including two sound efforts here. Whilst going from the front clearly suited at Sandown, he showed he does not have to lead when running a cracker at Ascot last time.
He only just gave best to Two Tribes in the final strides, that horse then going on to Stewards Cup success the following week. That Ascot race showed he had the speed for 7f and there does not seem to be great competition for the lead here which should allow Sean Levey to set the sort of gallop he wants.
Ripon 3.20: Grant Wood & Supreme King
This does not look a vintage renewal of the Great St Wilfrid – indeed there is not even a maximum field for the big race. Two horses who ran well in the Consolation race on the card last season are favoured.
GRANT WOOD won that contest from a mark of 80, continuing his good work of that season that had already seen him win three times before that. He handled the undulations of Ripon with aplomb, which bodes well for today.
Two cracking runs on the All Weather set him up well for a summer turf campaign, but he has been underwhelming in two runs on grass this season. That included eighth place in a race over C&D just two weeks ago. However he was not really put in that contest with a chance and I suspect he was just being readied for what will surely have been the number one target for 2025, but his wily handler Paul Midgley.
I want to make sure I have an interest in something drawn the near rail and SUPREME KING fits the bill. He ran well to be fifth to Grant Wood here last season, but was first home of those racing on the far side, so would surely have been closer with a higher draw.
He had a busy and successful time of things on the All Weather this winter, winning twice and made a strong transition back to turf when just outstayed by Probe over 7f at Chester in May. A fair fifth at York recently shows he remains in form, and he had little chance from a wide draw last time in a Racing League race at Wolverhampton when made too much use of early. Stall 15 ought to be ideal here and he is dropping back to a suitable mark only 2lbs higher than his last win at Kempton in March.
Newbury 3.35: Kings Gamble
The feature event can go the way of KINGS GAMBLE who made a hugely promising reappearance over 6f here last month.
He had plenty of success running in big mile races last season, fifth in the Britannia at Royal Ascot and then second at Goodwood on his final start before an early end to 2024. It was therefore quite a surprise to see him dropped right back to 6f for his belated reappearance here.
However he coped well with the drop in trip, predictably finishing strongly into second. It still seems likely though that an extra furlong here will be in his favour. Hopefully he will have come on for that seasonal debut. More Thunder is a short priced favourite given his exploits charging through the handicap ratings for William Haggas this season, but he is one he struggles a bit for early pace and could be found out in this higher grade.
Recommended bets:
1pt each-way – Star Chorus – 2.25 Newbury – 13/2 William Hill (1/4 odds 1st 3)
1pt win – Classic – 3.00 Newbury – 3/1 general
1pt each-way – Grant Wood – 3.20 Ripon – 12/1 William Hill (1/5 odds 1st 5)
1pt each-way – Supreme King – 3.20 Ripon – 12/1 Bet365, William Hill (1/5 odds 1st 5)
1pt each-way – Kings Gamble – 3.35 Newbury – 4/1 William Hill (1/4 odds 1st 3)
