Newbury One’s To Watch

Competitive action is coming thick and fast, and this Saturday at Newbury is no different. Here are my thoughts on a few horses to keep an eye out on throughout the day:

1.50 – BetVictor Geoffrey Freer Stakes (Group 3)

The gaps came just in time for Al Aasy who won at the Glorious Goodwood meeting with some swagger. That run was up there with his best to date but this step up in trip boasts a big question mark for the William Haggas star. Therefore, a chance goes to the Irish raider VAUBAN who has been competing in the best staying races all year. His run in the Gold Cup would be good enough to win this and if the race doesn’t turn into an extreme test of stamina, I would be confident in his ability to win this. Meanwhile, Arrest, who was so convincing in this last season, hasn’t really fired since that victory. He is a horse with plenty of ability, but the rain needs to come, I would fear.

2.25 – BetVictor Handicap (Class 3)

Plenty of pace seems to be on show with the likes of COVER POINT and Julie Camacho’s team are in such good form that a bold show seems likely. A three-year-old who looks to be heading in the right direction, a two-pound rise from his most recent success might not stop him. The Big Board is another who’s heading the right way and if it wasn’t for a short-head defeat, he too would be arriving here on the back of a victory. He is of interest as well as Mc Loven who could run well under Hollie Doyle for the Simon Dow yard.

3.00 – TPT Fire Handicap (Class 2)

WALEEFY’s win at Doncaster warranted an eight-pound rise in the weights and his current mark of 87 could prove to again be very lenient. The step back up to seven furlongs seemed to do the trick and if William Haggas’ chestnut can reproduce his last run, he won’t be far away at the finish. United Approach could be a solid each-way player for James Tate who on his penultimate start, was a solid fourth in a tricky handicap. He seemed to appreciate the step up in distance at Newcastle on his last start so should be running well again in this.

3.35 – BetVictor Hungerford Stakes (Group 2)

Lake Forest tops the market after a pair of second-place finishes including runner-up in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. His tendency to finish strongly should mean he will be thereabouts at the finish, but ENGLISH OAK (NAP) will have other ideas. After landing a plunge in the Buckingham Palace Stakes at the Royal meeting, Ed Walker’s charge couldn’t put his best foot forward in the Lennox Stakes, but Newbury’s easier track should see him in a better light. He gets a confident nod whilst Poet Master may prove best of the rest for Karl Burke and co. Burke’s Gelding travelled to the Curragh on his last start and after bolting up there, looks to confirm that level of form in this.